Pentel Sharp Kerry: The Capped Pocket Pencil Since 1971
The Pentel Sharp Kerry (P1035) is a 0.5 mm mechanical pencil with a cap, first released in 1971 to be carried like a fountain pen. JetPens lists it at 12.4 cm capped and 13.2 cm with the cap posted; posted, the cap's top button clicks the lead. Pentel of America gives Japan as the origin.
On this page
Product facts
- Product
- Pentel Sharp Kerry mechanical pencil, 0.5 mm (P1035A black)
- Brand
- Pentel
- Brand origin
- Japan
- Made in
- Japan*
- Material
- Resin body, metal cap
- Released
- 1971*
- Price range
- $$$5–20 per pencil (multi-packs divided by the count)
Notes on these facts
- Made by ASTRUM Corporation (Tokyo), called Pentel Co., Ltd. until April 1, 2026; Pentel remains the brand. Made in Japan: Pentel of America's 2022 product catalog gives the Sharp Kerry's origin (P1035 and P1037) as Japan. Yoseka Stationery and OnTimeSupplies (for the black P1035A) also say Japan. Pentel's Japanese product page doesn't state it. Source. Price: example listing. Released: Pentel Japan's company history and its October 19, 2021 anniversary release give 1971, as do Yoseka Stationery, JetPens and The Pen Addict; retailers say the cap is engraved SINCE 1971.
- Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026. Conversions to US dollars are approximate, at October 2026 rates (US$1 = ¥158 = ₩1,330 = NT$32.5 = CN¥6.7 = SEK 9.9 = DKK 6.7 = ₺49.6 = C$1.41 = A$1.43; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).
Key takeaways
- Pentel's Japanese company history lists the Kerry under 1971; in Japan it lists at ¥2,750 (about US$17) from October 1, 2026, up from ¥2,200 (about US$14).
- JetPens lists it at 12.4 cm (4.9 in) capped and 13.2 cm (5.2 in) with the cap posted.
- A refillable eraser sits under the button at the top of the cap, which is also the lead knock when the cap is posted.
- Retail listings give a weight of about 18 g (0.64 oz), close to twice the 10 g of a Pentel Sharp P205.
- Pentel of America's catalog gives Japan as the origin; most US listings for the black P1035A fall in our $$ band of $5 to $20, though Pentel's own store charges a little more.
What is the Pentel Sharp Kerry?
The Pentel Sharp Kerry is a 0.5 mm mechanical pencil with a snap-on cap, made to be carried in a pocket like a fountain pen. Pentel first released it in 1971, according to Pentel’s Japanese company history and retailers including Yoseka Stationery and JetPens, and the cap is engraved “SINCE 1971”. Pentel Japan marked its 50th year with a limited plated anniversary model, on sale from November 15, 2021 at ¥4,400 (about US$28).
In Japan it is sold as the 万年CIL《ケリー》 (Mannencil Kerry), a name built on the Japanese word for fountain pen; Pentel’s Japanese site calls it a fountain-pen-style mechanical pencil whose cap posts on the back to work the knock. In the US, Pentel of America sells it as the Sharp Kerry, model P1035 (black P1035A), plus a 0.7 mm P1037 that Japan doesn’t get.
Pentel Sharp Kerry specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Maker | ASTRUM Corporation (formerly Pentel Co., Ltd.), Tokyo; US seller Pentel of America |
| Model | P1035 (0.5 mm; P1035A = black in the US, P1035-AD in Japan); P1037 (0.7 mm, US only) |
| Lead | HB preloaded (Pentel Japan and Pentel of America) |
| Sleeve | Fixed |
| Length, capped | 12.4 cm (4.9 in) |
| Length, cap posted | 13.2 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | About 18 g (0.64 oz) |
| Materials | Resin body, metal cap |
| Eraser | Under the cap button; Z2-1N refill |
| Japan colors | Black, blue, olive green, smoky gray and rosé (Pentel Japan) |
| Japan list price | ¥2,750 (about US$17) including tax, ¥2,500 (about US$16) before tax, from October 1, 2026 |
| JAN (black, Japan) | 4902506311801 |
| Made in | Japan (Pentel of America catalog) |
Lengths and materials come from JetPens; the weight comes from retail listings, which agree at 18 g and 0.64 oz. Pentel’s pages don’t give dimensions. The Japanese list price is from the product page as of October 2026; Pentel Japan’s price revision raised it from ¥2,000 (about US$13) to ¥2,500 (about US$16) before tax on October 1, 2026.
How does the Kerry’s cap work?
With the cap posted on the back, the button at the top of the cap becomes the lead knock, so you click through the cap. Pentel’s Japanese site explains that the knock button pops out automatically when you fit the cap on the back, so you can click and erase without taking the cap off, and that you can also click the bare back end. The Pen Addict calls the Kerry a “postable” pencil for that reason.
Capped, the point is covered, so the pencil can go in a shirt pocket without poking holes. The eraser hides under the cap’s button, which keeps it clean.
Is the Kerry a good everyday pencil?
Yes for carrying, less so for drafting. The cap makes it the Pentel to keep in a jacket or bag, and at about 18 g with the cap posted it feels closer to a pen than to a light school pencil.
For ruler and template work, the Pentel Sharp P205 has a long 4 mm sleeve made for straight edges. If you snap lead often, the Zebra DelGuard is built to stop breakage.
How does the Kerry compare to other Pentel pencils?
The Kerry is the capped, pocket Pentel; the P205 is the light drafting pencil and the GraphGear 1000 is the heavy metal-grip drafter.
| Pentel Sharp Kerry | Pentel Sharp P205 | Pentel GraphGear 1000 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead sizes | 0.5 (0.7 as P1037 in the US) | 0.5 (0.7, 0.9 as P207/P209) | 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9 |
| Cap | Yes, posts | No | No |
| Sleeve | Fixed | 4 mm, fixed | 4 mm, retracts |
| Length | 12.4 cm capped | 14.5 cm | ≈149 mm |
| Weight | ≈18 g | 10 g | ≈20 g |
| Made in | Japan | Japan | Japan |
Specs for the other two come from our guides to each, which cite their own retailer sources. For a cheap side-button pencil instead, see the Pentel Quicker Clicker.
How much does the Pentel Kerry cost?
Most US listings for the black P1035A fall in our $$ band of $5 to $20, but prices vary widely by shop. In October 2026 we saw listings both under and over $20, and Pentel of America’s own store sits just above $20, so it pays to compare.
Pentel’s Japanese site lists five barrel colors (black, blue, olive green, smoky gray and rosé), while Pentel of America lists black, red, blue and pink, so some colors are market-only. Special editions cost more. A black-and-gold Kerry from a Japanese eBay seller was listed far above the standard model.
Where is the Pentel Sharp Kerry made?
In Japan: Pentel of America’s 2022 catalog gives Japan as the Sharp Kerry’s origin. Yoseka Stationery and OnTimeSupplies (for the P1035A) also say Japan. Pentel’s Japanese product page doesn’t state a country.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the Pentel Kerry have a cap?
Pentel designed it in 1971 as a mechanical pencil to carry and use like a fountain pen. The cap protects the point in a pocket and posts on the back while you write.
How do you click the lead on a Pentel Kerry?
Post the cap on the back of the pencil and press the button at the top of the cap. Pentel Japan says the knock button pops out automatically when the cap is posted, and you can also click the bare back of the pencil without the cap.
Where is the eraser on the Pentel Kerry?
Under the button at the top of the cap. It is refillable with Pentel's Z2-1N eraser, per Pentel of America and Pentel Japan.
How long is the Pentel Kerry?
JetPens lists 12.4 cm (4.9 in) with the cap on and 13.2 cm (5.2 in) with the cap posted. That makes it about 1 cm shorter than a standard 14.5 cm Pentel P205 when capped.
What lead size does the Kerry take?
The P1035 takes 0.5 mm lead and comes loaded with HB. Pentel of America also lists a 0.7 mm P1037 in black and blue, while Pentel Japan sells only the 0.5 mm.
Is the Pentel Kerry worth it compared to a P205?
Choose the Kerry if you carry a pencil in a pocket or bag and want the point covered. For drafting with a ruler, the cheaper, lighter P205 with its 4 mm sleeve is the better tool.
Where is the Pentel Sharp Kerry made?
In Japan, according to Pentel of America's catalog; Yoseka Stationery and OnTimeSupplies agree.
Sources
- 万年CIL《ケリー》 (Pentel Japan product page: P1035, 0.5 mm, five barrel colors, JAN codes, ¥2,750 list price, cap-knock mechanism)
- 沿革 (Pentel Japan company history: fountain-pen-style mechanical pencil Kerry, 1971)
- 愛されて半世紀、万年筆型シャープペンシル「ケリー」 (Pentel Japan news release, October 19, 2021: 50th-anniversary plated model, Kerry released 1971)
- ぺんてる: 製品価格改定のお知らせ (Pentel Japan: price revision from October 1, 2026; P1035 ¥2,000 to ¥2,500 before tax)
- Pentel of America: Sharp Kerry Mechanical Pencil (0.5 mm P1035, 0.7 mm P1037, Z2-1N eraser, UPCs)
- Pentel of America 2022 product catalog: Sharp Kerry (P1035, P1037, Z2-1N, origin Japan)
- JetPens: Pentel Sharp Kerry mechanical pencil, 0.5 mm (capped and posted lengths, metal cap, resin body)
- Yoseka Stationery: Pentel Sharp Kerry 0.5 mm (released 1971, made in Japan)
- Yoseka Stationery blog: Pentel Kerry mechanical pencil
- The Pen Addict: Pentel Kerry, a postable mechanical pencil with an unchanging design since 1971
- OnTimeSupplies: Pentel Sharp Kerry P1035A (country of origin Japan)
- Quill: Pentel Sharp Kerry 0.5 mm, P1035A
- ClassWallet Supply Essentials: Sharp Kerry 0.5 mm, black barrel (UPC 072512004753, fixed sleeve)
- Blue Dog Ink: Pentel Sharp Kerry P1035A
- Staples: Pentel Sharp Kerry 0.5 mm, P1035A
- eBay: Pentel Sharp Kerry 0.5 mm olive green (item weight 0.64 oz)
- Yodobashi (Japanese): Pentel 万年CIL KERRY 0.5 mm, P1035-AD
- Pentel UK: Pentel celebrates 80 years of success in writing (company renamed ASTRUM Corporation, Pentel kept as brand)