Pentel Twist-Erase III: The Twist-Up Eraser Pencil
The Pentel Twist-Erase III is a mechanical pencil built around a long eraser that you advance by twisting the barrel. It comes in 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9 mm (QE515, QE517, QE519), has a latex-free grip and a metal lead mechanism, and takes E10 eraser refills. Pentel of America gives Japan as the origin.
On this page
Product facts
- Product
- Pentel Twist-Erase III mechanical pencil (QE515 0.5 mm, QE517 0.7 mm, QE519 0.9 mm)
- Brand
- Pentel
- Brand origin
- Japan
- Made in
- Japan*
- Material
- Plastic barrel, metal mechanism, latex-free grip
- Price range
- $$$5–20 per pencil (multi-packs divided by the count)
Notes on these facts
- Made by ASTRUM Corporation (Tokyo), called Pentel Co., Ltd. until April 1, 2026; Pentel remains the brand. Made in Japan: Pentel of America's 2023–2024 product guide and 2022 catalog give the Twist-Erase III's origin (QE515, QE517, QE519) as Japan; OnTimeSupplies and PartsSource also list Japan. The same product guide gives Mexico for the separate Twist-Erase CLICK (PD275 to PD279). Pentel's Japanese site doesn't sell either model. Source. Price: example listing.
- Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026.
Key takeaways
- Three lead sizes, by model number: QE515 (0.5 mm), QE517 (0.7 mm) and QE519 (0.9 mm), per Pentel of America's product guide.
- Replacement erasers are Pentel E10 refills, sold 3 to a tube; Staples says they also fit Pentel's Side FX pencils.
- The last letter of the model number is the barrel color: A black, B red, C blue, D green and V violet, per Pentel of America.
- Pentel of America's product guide gives Japan as the origin of the Twist-Erase III, but Mexico for the separate Twist-Erase CLICK.
- US single-pencil and multipack listings put it in our $$ band of $5 to $20 a pencil.
What is the Pentel Twist-Erase III?
The Pentel Twist-Erase III is a mechanical pencil whose main feature is a long, refillable eraser that you twist out of the top of the barrel. Pentel sells it in three lead sizes, and US office and school stores carry it in single pencils and multipacks.
Where most mechanical pencils hide a small eraser under a cap, the Twist-Erase puts a jumbo eraser in the barrel itself. Retailers describe it as long-lasting; Pentel doesn’t publish its length in the sources we found.
Pentel Twist-Erase III specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Maker | ASTRUM Corporation (formerly Pentel Co., Ltd.), Tokyo; US seller Pentel of America |
| Models | QE515 (0.5 mm) · QE517 (0.7 mm) · QE519 (0.9 mm) |
| Lead | Pentel Super Hi-Polymer HB, preloaded (listed as #2 or #2.5) |
| Eraser | Jumbo twist-up eraser; refill E10 (3 per tube) |
| Grip | Latex-free, soft |
| Mechanism | Metal, with a tip designed to reduce lead breakage (maker claim) |
| Barrel colors | A black · B red · C blue · D green · V violet (Pentel of America) |
| Length and weight | Not published in the sources we found |
| Made in | Japan (Pentel of America product guide) |
Models, colors, refill and origin come from Pentel of America; packs and the twist instructions from retailer listings (Staples, Azor, OnTimeSupplies, Walmart). Pentel’s Japanese site doesn’t sell the Twist-Erase line.
How does the twist-up eraser work?
You twist the barrel to push the eraser out or pull it back, and press the top to advance lead. That is how Walmart’s listing puts it: “twist barrel to advance/retract eraser; push down to advance lead”.
Pentel of America calls it larger than ordinary and long-lasting, but doesn’t give a length. When it runs out, an E10 refill slides in; Staples sells them 3 to a tube. For erasing a single letter, a pen-style eraser such as the Tombow MONO Zero has a finer 2.3 mm tip.
Which lead size should you choose?
Choose the 0.5 mm QE515 for small handwriting, the 0.7 mm QE517 for everyday notes, and the 0.9 mm QE519 if you press hard.
- QE515 (0.5 mm): the finest line and the most common size in listings.
- QE517 (0.7 mm): a thicker lead, the same size as the BIC Xtra-Smooth.
- QE519 (0.9 mm): the thickest lead, for bold lines and heavy-handed writers.
How does the Twist-Erase III compare to other pencils?
The Twist-Erase III is the pick for eraser capacity; drafting pencils such as the Pentel Sharp P205 and lead-rotating ones such as the Kuru Toga focus on the line instead.
| Twist-Erase III | Pentel Sharp P205 | BIC Xtra-Smooth | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eraser | Jumbo, twist-up, refill E10 | Yes, refillable | Eraser cap (click it to feed lead) |
| Lead sizes | 0.5, 0.7, 0.9 mm | 0.5 mm (P207, P209 for 0.7, 0.9) | 0.7 mm |
| Made in | Japan | Japan | Mexico |
If you want a wood pencil with an eraser instead, the Ticonderoga #2 is the US classroom standard. To feed lead without shifting your grip, Pentel’s Quicker Clicker has a side button.
What refills and packs are there?
The Twist-Erase III takes Pentel E10 eraser refills and standard lead in its own size, and it’s sold singly or in multipacks.
| Item | What it is | Source |
|---|---|---|
| E10 | Eraser refill, 3 per tube; also fits Pentel Side FX | Staples |
| Preloaded lead | Pentel Super Hi-Polymer HB, labeled #2 or #2.5 | Retailer listings |
| QE515BP2-K6 | 0.5 mm 2-pack | Staples |
| 4-pack, 0.5 mm | Assorted black, blue, green and violet barrels | Walmart |
The letter after the size is the barrel color, so QE515C is a blue 0.5 mm pencil. Don’t confuse the Twist-Erase III with the Twist-Erase CLICK (PD275TA), a separate model with its own listings.
Where is the Pentel Twist-Erase III made?
In Japan: Pentel of America’s 2023–2024 product guide and 2022 catalog give Japan as the Twist-Erase III’s origin. OnTimeSupplies and PartsSource list Japan too. The same guide gives Mexico for the separate Twist-Erase CLICK, so check the packaging of the exact model you buy.
Frequently asked questions
How does the Pentel Twist-Erase work?
Twisting the barrel advances or retracts the long eraser at the top; you advance the lead by pressing down, as on most mechanical pencils. Retailer listings describe it as "twist barrel to advance/retract eraser; push down to advance lead".
What eraser refill does the Twist-Erase III use?
It takes Pentel E10 refills, white cylindrical erasers sold 3 to a tube. Staples lists the same refill for Pentel's Side FX and other Twist-Erase pencils.
What is the difference between the Twist-Erase III and the Twist-Erase CLICK?
They are separate Pentel models. The CLICK (PD275, PD277, PD279) has a clear barrel and advances lead with a side button and, per Pentel of America, is made in Mexico; the III (QE515, QE517, QE519) is the twist-barrel model covered here, made in Japan.
What lead sizes does the Twist-Erase III come in?
Pentel lists three: QE515 for 0.5 mm, QE517 for 0.7 mm and QE519 for 0.9 mm. Each comes loaded with Pentel Super Hi-Polymer HB lead.
Is the Twist-Erase III good for students?
It is sold widely in US office and school stores, and its main appeal is a jumbo eraser that retailers describe as long-lasting. Pentel doesn't publish its size or weight, so check it in hand if grip size matters.
How big and heavy is the Twist-Erase III?
Pentel doesn't publish the length or weight in the sources we found. Retail dimensions we saw are for the packaging, not the pencil.
Where is the Pentel Twist-Erase III made?
In Japan, according to Pentel of America's product guide; OnTimeSupplies and PartsSource agree.
Sources
- Pentel of America: Twist-Erase III Mechanical Pencil (lead sizes, barrel colors, E10 eraser, UPCs)
- Pentel of America: 2023–2024 product guide (Twist-Erase III origin Japan; Twist-Erase CLICK origin Mexico)
- Pentel of America 2022 product catalog: Twist-Erase III (features, barrel colors, E10 refill, origin Japan)
- Staples: Pentel Twist-Erase III 0.5 mm, QE515C
- Staples: Pentel Twist-Erase III 0.5 mm 2-pack, QE515BP2-K6
- OnTimeSupplies: Twist-Erase III 0.7 mm black, QE517A (country of origin Japan)
- OnTimeSupplies: Twist-Erase III 0.7 mm red, QE517B (country of origin Japan)
- OnTimeSupplies: Twist-Erase III 0.5 mm violet, QE515V (country of origin Japan)
- PartsSource: Pentel QE517B (country of origin Japan)
- Aztek: Pentel QE517B Twist-Erase III 0.7 mm, red barrel
- Aztek: Pentel QE515C Twist-Erase III 0.5 mm, blue barrel
- Azor: Pentel QE515A Twist-Erase III (features)
- Walmart: Pentel Twist-Erase III 0.5 mm 4-pack (twist barrel to advance eraser, push to advance lead)
- Blue Dog Ink: Pentel Twist-Erase III 0.5 mm, QE515A
- OnTimeSupplies: Twist-Erase CLICK 0.5 mm, PD275TA (separate model)
- OnTimeSupplies: Twist-Erase III 0.9 mm, 2-pack, QE519BP2K6 (plastic barrel)
- Pentel UK: Pentel celebrates 80 years of success in writing (company renamed ASTRUM Corporation, Pentel kept as brand)
- Impress Watch (Japanese): Pentel renames itself ASTRUM Corporation from April 1, 2026