Uni Kuru toga Mechanical Pencil 0.5mm Black

Work Great

At under £3, the Kuru Toga is in the same price band as cheap-but-not-shoddy mechanical pencils like the Rotring Tikky (a comfortable pencil, but prone to breaking down somewhat quickly). The KT's gimmick - as explained in many other reviews! - is a revolving mechanism near the nib that turns the lead 15 degrees or so whenever you pull it away from the paper, with the aim of evening out the wear on the lead tip (what people generally do unconsciously by turning the whole pencil as they write), maintaining a sharp edge, and reducing the chance of it snapping (a particular issue with cheaper pencils at finer sizes like 0.5 and 0.3mm).The good news is that - as long as you don't have a very light writing style that isn't firm enough to trigger the rotation - it does work. While you'll occasionally get a blunt-ish edge, for the most part you get something far sharper than your standard mechanical. Lead snaps are also much rarer - in 8 months I've had one snap, and on that instance the lead was at a much longer length than I usually use. I usually bring the lead on a KT out a click further than I do with other pencils, allowing me to write for longer without reclicking. I also seem to go longer without having to replace leads, assumedly as a result of not putting so much of it on the paper with a blunt tip.On the downside, the mechanism is big enough that the nib half of the pencil is 3-4mm wider than most pencils, and the sharpening mechanism can produce a tip sharp enough to feel scratchy at times. These take a bit of getting used to, and you may be a little uncomfortable writing for the first week or so. Also, the top eraser is a tiny thing with a metal holder, and not really good for anything more than messily rubbing out the tiniest of writing. The other downside is, if you have a good experience with the KT, it'll ruin you for all other mechanical pencils - their leads will feel blunt and fragile, and you'll just want to get back to your own pencil!This cheaper model is light enough to feel actually cheap to a certain extent, even if it's mechanically solid. The more expensive KT models feel much more premium (though they're still half-plastic!), and also have a slightly thinner bottom half. I don't find the nobbled metal finger grip that comfortable though - to be honest, I'm happier writing with this cheaper model.At the end of the day, if you're in, say, a science field like physics, your mechanical pencil is probably practically your best friend, with how much you use it. If you don't already have an expensive pencil, for this price you really should give this one a shot - it does things a bit differently, and tries to give you a different writing experience to what you're used to. It might be a bit /too/ different for your liking, but then again it might just change the way you feel about your pencil.

Nice feel in the hand, only time will tell if replacement leads are available

It was fine

These are fantastic pencils. I have just ordered another three. Over the years I have used these they have operated faultlessly every time, and I mean every time. The lead that is with them is the brand I always use and it is unbelieveably robust, I have never had a lead break. I order a few each time because my grandchildren love them too, and the only fault I can find withthem is that they manage to allow the kids to lose rubbers, end covers and even the tips:-) Careless bairns.

Good quality item that lasts well. Stationary of choice for secondary aged child

It worked wonderfully till the plastic head broke for me on both of the pencils. Maybe it was my fault i dont know but it works as decribed

Brilliant pencil, the rotating lead is brilliant as it leaves the lead sharp. Is great for both writing and drawing. Arrived quickly and was an excellent price.