REVIEW: WINGBACK MECHANICAL PEN & PENCIL

From the UK comes Wingback, a small and relatively young EDC-focused brand with a strong focus on creating sustainable, durable products that last, manufactured on UK soil! 

Wingback's commitment to sustainability and durability is immediately noticeable when unpacking their flagship writing products: the Wingback Mechanical Pen and Mechanical Pencil. No materials are wasted on packaging, as the pens come wrapped in a simple but durable Wingback-branded cloth sleeve - ecological, saves on shipping, and practical too. I like it! 

In the hand, the solid metal construction of both pen and pencil immediately gives off a feeling of longevity. Though small in size, the pen and pencil have a surprising amount of density  (especially the Mechanical Pen!) and substance to them, in part due to the all-custom, fully metal internal mechanisms. 

The design is kept very minimal, with a clear industrial and rugged look due to the knurled elements and pronounced, crisp chamfered edges all around. The surface of the mechanical pen(cil) is kept in its 'raw' machined state, you'll still be able to pick up on the CNC machining lines - which are extremely clean and precise. Going clipless is the only option here, so some uncontrolled rolling around on your desk is to be expected.

Wingback's entire product portfolio (which isn't super extensive, but still) is characterized by the same design language. Pronounced knurling, industrial rugged designs, and three distinct colorways to choose from: raw brass, raw stainless steel, or black-coated steel (a tough tungsten-carbide coating). Even some of their leather goods feature machined metal accents that tie their product designs together. I quite enjoy that level of consistency.

... Although there's also one inconsistency on the Mechanical Pen that does look somewhat out of place. There's a subtle, yet noticeable (both tactile and visual) difference between the knurling on the section and the twist mechanism of the pen. The section's texture is less deeply cut and less aggressive to your fingers. It still adds some grip (though not as much as with more pronounced knurling), and it's more comfortable to hold for longer periods of time. Yet I don't quite understand why they didn't just match the texture on the twist mechanism.

L to R: Kaweco Sport, Tactile Turn Glider, Ensso Giro, Karas EDK, Modern Fuel Pen, Wingback Mechanical Pen, Wingback Mechanical Pencil, Lamy 2000, Lamy Safari

The Wingback Mechanical Pen and Pencil are much smaller than I originally anticipated. I guess it's just one of those designs that don't really convey scale very well in pictures. Hence, the above size comparison ought to bring some clarification. As you can see, Wingback's pen design is quite compact in nature, hovering in-between full-sized and truly pocket-sized pens.

So, how 'pocketable' are we talking then? Both Mechanical Pen and Pencil share identical dimensions: 11.8cm (4.64") in length and 10 mm (0.39") in diameter. They do differ in weight, though. The pencil is the lightest, as the much larger mechanism takes up most of the internal space, whereas the pen is machined much thicker on the inside (which is what gives the pen that very dense feeling!). This translates into a weight of around 37 grams for the pencil (still by no means light for such a compact pencil!) and 50 grams for the pen. Of course, the choice between steel or brass will also make a slight difference (the brass options being heavier), though it'll only differ a few grams.

In terms of comfort, the more compact size of the Mechanical Pen and Pencil is noticeable but not bothersome. For my average-sized hands, neither pen nor pencil felt too short or uncomfortable to hold. You still get a writing experience similar to that of a full-sized pen. It's worth pointing out that the knurled section - while comfortable in diameter - sits quite far back on the barrel, so you'll tend to grip the pen a bit further back. For people with larger hands, that may make the difference between a comfortable pen, and one that disappears in your hand.

The Wingback Mechanical Pen is outfitted with a custom-made, solid metal, twist mechanism. It unscrews at the back (which is also how you change the refill) and is held securely in place with a rubber o-ring. The mechanism turns smoothly without play and has a very satisfying snap when it clicks into place. 

The Pen comes equipped with a pressurized ("writes in all conditions") Fisher Space pen refill, and I have to say either Fisher upped their game or I've become more lenient towards ballpoint refills because I'm quite enjoying the writing experience. Granted, I'm still not a huge fan of ballpoint refills, but this one does lay down a smooth and relatively dark line of ink. Perhaps a bit more consistent than the average ballpoint pen, though still not quite as consistent as I'd like (hence, why I gravitate towards gel refills most of the time). Unfortunately, the Fisher Space refill is proprietary, so there's not a lot of leeway in terms of alternatives that will fit in the Wingback Mechanical Pen.

The Mechanical Pencil - just like the pen - also comes with an impressive custom-made internal mechanism. All-metal parts, again solidly put together with little to no play or rattle between the parts, and the knock has a nice soft click action. The tip also has a retractable lead pipe, an essential feature for an EDC pencil that's bound to live in your pocket. 

Refilling the pencil requires some disassembly, but Wingback deliberately designed the mechanism so that you don't have to refill it very often. The large mechanism holds an absurd amount of spare leads inside (the website says 40 pieces for the 0.7mm mechanism, which seems about right), so you can basically drop in an entire tube of fresh leads and be good to go for ages... well, depending on how much you write or sketch of course! 

So there you have it: my first encounter with Wingback's products, and quite a positive one I must add. I appreciate their "Buy once" philosophy, and find that it is truly reflected in the impeccable production quality of their Mechanical Pen and Pencil. In terms of EDC, I have no doubt these pens will serve well for years to come. 

Pricing starts at 95 GBP (around 110€/ 120$) for either Pen or Pencil. A substantial price tag, but one that I feel is justified by the excellent build quality, and the fact that these products are made locally in the UK. The black steel version adds a specialized tungsten-carbide coating, which ups the price to a rather hefty 140 GBP (165€/ 175$)! 

As it stands, the Mechanical Pen and Pencil are the only writing-related products in Wingback's catalog, though I hope they'll expand the range further in their design style... perhaps with a full-sized pen, or even a fountain pen? That'd be neat.

Note: This product was provided by Wingback, free of charge, so I could write this review.  I was in no way influenced in the making of this review, the opinions shared in this review are completely my own! This post does not contain affiliate links.

REVIEW: TACTILE TURN PENCIL

You may recall - I think it was back in december last year - that I warned you to expect a bunch of Tactile Turn product reviews. And for once I actually kept my word! Eight months and three TT product reviews later (the Gist, Mover and Bolt Action Pen), there's only one product we haven't discussed yet: the Tactile Turn Pencil. Big thanks to Will for sending one my way for review!

Mechanical pencils seem to be the last resort of many a respected pen maker. Same goes for Tactile Turn, where Will staved off on the idea of a pencil until just a year ago. Perhaps it reflects what lives within the pen community, as most everyday carry needs are usually filled in with balpoint pens, rollerballs or even fountain pens. Often leaving mechanical pencils overlooked (Even though in my mind they are actually versatile and reliable tools for on the go, right?). Frankly, for someone with a blog that starts with "pencil" I don't quite spend enough time on them either. So let's bring some change to that...

The TT Pencil and Mover (now called Click Pen)  side by side.

The design of the Pencil is completely in line with most other Tactile Turn products: a balanced combination of fairly minimal but rugged industrial design and refined details. The 'tactile' machined surface finish and bent steel clip -the two main design characteristics that set Tactile Turn products apart- are of course both present here as well. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I like the uniformity across the entire Tactile Turn product catalog. Over the years they really found their own unique identity which makes all their products easily recogniseable.

The brand logo and production year are neatly engraved on the underside of the clip. Very low-key!

L to R: TT Mover (a.k.a. Click Pen), Glider (Old model, now replaced by the BAP), Pencil

The overall shape of the Pencil is also shared with most other Tactile Turn pens, although it seems like each one has a different front section shape - giving each pen a slightly distinct appearance. The difference is very subtle though. Can you see it too or am I just imagining this?

Designwise, the only thing that slightly irks me is the break between the barrel and top finial. Because of the way Tactile Turn pens are made, the front section and barrel always match up perfectly because the spiral texture is machined after these two parts are assembled. The finial however, is machined separately so there's always a noticeable break when it's joined to the barrel. I wish Will could figure out a way to make it integrate as seamlessly as the other parts just to create a unibody appearance... but maybe that's just me being picky? 

L to R: Karas Retrakt, Tactile Turn Gist (old version), TT Mover (a.k.a Click pen), TT Pencil, TT Glider, Lamy Safari, Lamy 2000

The Pencil comes in one size and appears a bit shorter than the other Tactile Turn pens. But with the non-retractable lead sleeve and eraser sticking out it still comes in at a decent and full-sized 14 cm (5.5"). All TT pens have the exact same, comfortable diameter (11 mm/ 0.43"). The titanium version weighs in at a comfortable 37 grams. I find titanium pens usually balance quite nicely, and it's a super strong material for EDC. At the relatively low upcharge Will asks for his Titanium creations, I can't think of a good reason not to go for this version. Except if you prefer a very light or very heavy pencil, in which case the aluminium, stainless steel, brass and copper versions respectively may be more up your alley. The TT Pencil is very comfortable in the hand. The diameter is perfect and the machined texture provides a pleasant grip without being offensive to the touch.

The Tactile Turn Pencil isn't without its' quirks though. In my opinion the bolt action mechanism -while certainly unique- is perhaps not the most practical for a mechanical pencil. The bolt that protrudes from the barrel is small, and the way the mechanism is set up requires a rather firm push to engage the lead. It's not as smooth and supple to operate as on the bolt action pen, which you can fidget with for hours on end.

My second irk has to do with the internal mechanism. Will designed the Pencil around Schmidt's DSM pencil mechanism. It's a decent part on itself, but I kind of miss having a retractable lead sleeve. In an ideal world, I hope they can come up with a custom machined mechanism (I'm sure they can, although it'll probably cost an arm and a leg!) that has a retractable lead sleeve. And while we're at it, a slightly smoother click action to make the bolt action mechanism easier to operate.

That's just me being picky though. The DSM mechanism is really not a bad choice for an off-the-shelf mechanism. It's solid, mostly made out of metal parts, and it screws into the front section so it doesn't rattle. It comes loaded with surprisingly decent leads that are smooth, leave a dark line and are quite smear-free. In case the mechanism fails or you want to swap it out for a different lead size, TT sells replacement units for just 6$. Even the eraser on top is quite decent, although it does create a lot of dust when you erase something.

What I like most about the TT Pencil is that it's shaped and sized more like a regular pen. A lot of mechanical pencils are meant for drafting or sketching and usually have a more slender design. From a usability perspective, I find this design considerably more comfortable for long writing sessions. 

In the recent years I've sort of drifted away from mechanical pencils. But a pencil as good as this certainly reminds me how much fun it can be to write, sketch and doodle! The Tactile Turn pencil does a lot of things right. It's a sleek-looking piece with a durable construction, making it an excellent option as an EDC tool. The Tactile Turn Pencil starts at 69$ for the aluminium version and goes up to 99$ for Titanium, with brass, copper and steel somewhere in between. I think that's a fair price for the quality you get, and it's in line with all other Tactile Turn products. 

NOTE: This product was provided by Tactile Turn, so I could write this review. I was in no way influenced in the making of this review, the opinions shared in this review are completely my own! This post does not contain affiliate links.

PENS FOR SALE!

If anything, I am a straight up pen hoarder. It's true, I admit it. But the collection gets out of hand sometimes, and now is the time to do something about that. 

I listed roughly 50 fountain pens, multipens, ballpoints and pencils on my for sale page. You can check it out HERE, or under the tab 'FOR SALE'.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or want to make an offer, you can get in touch through email (use the email widget at the bottom of this website), or on instagram DM!

OHTO MARUTA SHARP MECHANICAL PENCIL REVIEW

I rarely review pencils here (I probably should've picked a different name than 'The PENCILcase Blog'!), but that doesn't take away the fact I can often enjoy a nice mechanical pencil, leadholder or even woodcased pencil from time to time! The one we're looking at today is quite an interesting one: the Ohto Maruta 2mm mechanical pencil! Thanks to Papier & Stift for sending it over!

Why is it interesting? Well it's basically a mechanical pencil, disguised as a woodcased pencil. I suppose the reasoning behind this design is quite simply to create a different aesthetic. It could also be a sneaky way to trick die-hard woodcased pencil users into buying a mechanical one, although I doubt that?

The Maruta, which is Japanese for 'log', looks and feels like a generic jumbo-sized woodcased pencil with a round profile, silver ferrule and pink eraser. But push the eraser, and a 2mm pops out from the front! 

For a 10$ pencil, Ohto put a surprising amount of effort in the details. This genuinely looks like a woodcased pencil from afar. All the metal parts are nicely machined and have a satin finish. The tip of the pencil is actualy 'sharpened' into a cone, which transitions into the metal tip. The wood received a clear coat of laquer, and the brand and model name are stamped in brown paint near the ferrule. The overall product is simple and clean, just like the average #2.

Top to bottom: unsharpened Blackwing 602, Ohto Maruta, Lamy Lx, Lamy 2000, David Hayward hexagonal leadholder.

In terms of size, the Maruta is short for a pencil, but normal sized compared to other pens or mechanical pencils. It measures 13.6 cm (5.35") without the lead extended. The diameter of 1 cm (0.39") is comparable to the dimensions of a jumbo pencil, which makes it easier and more comfortable to grip than a normal woodcased pencil.

It's lightweight, but not as light as a pencil due to the metal parts at the front and back of the pencil (It's slightly back-weighted, but not to the extent where it's actually noticeable in use). The wood has a very nice, smooth satin finish. While this is nice to look at, it's a bit slippery in the hand.

As I already said, the machining on the metal parts, such as the 'ferrule' is actually really nice, especially for a 10$ product. Everything fits nicely, but the metal push button does rattle quite noticeably. The button can be pulled out to refill leads (or you can just push a new lead in from the front), and the eraser can be replaced.

The knock mechanism advances the 2 mm lead by approx. 1.5 mm each time. The lead has little to no play inside the metal tip. 

As far as the writing goes... The choice of 2mm leads is useful for drawing or sketching but I also like to write with pencils like this because the leads are available in a wide variety of grades (I prefer HB or B for general writing, a balance between smooth, dark lines and point retention). The Maruta comes with one HB lead in the pencil, which I found kind of soft for HB, and rather dark. I swapped it out with my favourite 2mm lead: Staedtler Mars Carbon HB. Of course there's plenty of other lead options, you could even get some coloured leads in this size to play around with! 

For just under 10 euros (via Stift & Papier) which translates to about 12.5 USD), the Ohto Maruta is a fun pencil that won't break the bank. It's very well made (Japanese quality!), especially given the price. And I like that it takes 2mm leads, which is something else from the usual 0.5mm mechanical pencils. 

Note: This product was provided by Papier & Stift, free of charge, so I could write this review.  I was in no way influenced in the making of this review, the opinions shared in this review are completely my own! This post does not contain affilate links.

MODERN FUEL MECHANICAL PENCIL 2.0 REVIEW

What do you get when you completely over-engineer a standard boring BIC Matic mechanical pencil, and make it into a sleek, minimalist metal design piece? That's the first question that came to mind when I first saw the Modern Fuel Mechanical Pencil version 2.0! 

You might wonder why and how you'd possibly over-engineer a pencil that's based on a cheap disposable plastic pencil? Well, Andrew from Modern Fuel proved that it's possible indeed, and he did so in a most impressive way: enter the Modern Fuel Mechanical Pencil 2.0! 

This isn't Andrew's first rodeo with his mechanical pencil -as the '2.0' suggests. It's an improved version of the design he launched a couple years ago on Kickstarter. Once more he aims to create a heirloom quality product with a combination of great aesthetic and quite clever engineering. Let's dive right in! 

The eraser can be replaced with a  capacitive stylus tip, or a nut if you prefer the more minimal look

Designwise, I've always found this a fascinating pencil. Of course the strong aesthetic resemblance to the classic Bic Matic disposable mechanical pencils has a lot to do with that sentiment. The Mechanical Pencil, just like its' predecessor, has a slender design with gently rounded and tapered shape towards the tip. The recogniseable knock mechanism with exposed eraser on top defines the entire design.

Ok, I guess they probably don't like me constantly comparing this to a cheapo disposable BIC pencil. I just can't help see the resemblance between the two. To make things very clear: apart from an aesthetic resemblance, the two are in no way comparable, believe me! Maybe look at the Modern Fuel Mechanical Pencil as a BIC Matic on serious steroids, CNC'd from solid metal, and built to last. 

Straight away, a light patina forms on the brasss pencil

For version 2, Andrew stepped away from aluminium and brass, and branched out into a couple new metals to make things a bit more exciting. You now have the choice of four metals: titanium, bronze, copper or stainless steel. Bronze appealed to me most, as it's quite an uncommon metal in the pen world . It's a copper alloy just like brass, but it has a more reddish color. Which metal you choose obviously has a huge influence on the feel and balance of the pencil, but more on that later. 

A brushed finish is applied by hand on each pencil. I quite like that hand-finished aspect about it, it shows that the maker really puts care and time in his product. The brushed finish also does an excellent job at hiding the seam between the nose cone and barrel, which is almost impossible to see at first sight. But then on the flipside, it doesn't exactly do much in terms of comfort, unfortunately. It can definitely get a bit slippery at times, with the straight cylindrical barrel and smooth finish, which is something to keep in mind when making a purchase decision. 

L to R: David Hayward Hexagonal, Kaweco Brass sport, Parafernalia Linea 2mm leadholder, Modern Fuel Mechanical Pencil 2.0, Lamy Safari mechanical pencil, Lamy Safari fountain pen.

In terms of size, the Mechanical Pencil is relatively large and slender, a design that seems to work well in general with (mechanical) pencils. It measures 14.5 cm (5.7"), and 0.95 cm (0.375") in diameter. As mentioned earlier, the choice of metal sets them apart in terms of weight. Titanium is lightest, at 27g, followed by stainless steel (42g), bronze and copper both being the heaviest at 47g. I personally tested the bronze version. The heft is surprising for such a slim pencil, but I didn't find it too heavy in use.

Perhaps the most important aspect here is the build quality. This is really the strong suit of the Mechanical Pencil 2.0. The entirely metal build feels rock-solid, especially in this heavier bronze metal, and everything fits together with tight tolerances. There's the tiniest bit of play between the barrel and mechanism knock, which may cause some rattling at times. But it's subtle, but definitely not a deal breaker. The mechanism is where version 2.0 gets the biggest upgrade over the previous itteration, with an all-metal custom removable mechanism (available in 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9mm lead thicknesses). 

The new mechanism also meant a complete redesign of the pencil's interior, so dissasembly of the pencil is now a bit different... and not so straightforward! When I say over-engineered, I'm not kidding: this thing is HARD to dissasemble. The eraser can be pulled out, after which you can unscrew the push button ("knock") using the included hex wrench. This step is where I failed a couple times, as you have to unscrew the knock while keeping the wrench and rest of the pencil steady. The front tip of the pencil unscrews next, which is kept in place with a rubber o-ring. After that, the mechanism can be removed from the barrel.

Being able to dissasemble completely makes it easy to service the mechanism or replace broken parts (IF something breaks, but I doubt that'll ever happen). Aside from the practical aspect, I also just really like the technical complexity of this product, but hey I'm a nerd!

The mechanism, as I said, can be had in 0.5, 07 and 0.9mm versions, and can be purchased separately. Mine came loaded with the 0.5mm version. For mechanical pencils, I prefer a smaller lead size like this, as I like the fine line it produces. The mechanism works smoothly, and the knock is relatively silent. The sleeve is retractable, perfect for those that want to pocket carry their pencil (a detachable clip is included with every pencil, so you can clip it to your shirt or pants pocket). The included HB leads are very smooth, even though they seem to be of no particular brand. The marks are legible, not overly dark but well-balanced. 

A pencil as precision machined and designed with such meticulous care as the Modern Fuel Mechanical Pencil 2.0 is not something you come across every day. Admittedly, it might be a bit overkill, but it's really cool nevertheless! The Modern Fuel Mechanical Pencil retails for 180$ (for copper and bronze options), 200$ for stainless steel or a sloppy 250$ for the all-titanium version. But as of the moment of posting this, you still have a little under three weeks to snag one up during the kickstarter campaign for a more manageable 80 USD (or 130 USD for the titanium). 

For the price, you do get a complete package that includes: a cork pouch, spare erasers and stylus tips, extra leads, a nut, hex tools, a detachable clip and scotch brite to remove small scuffs and scratches

To be honest, the price tag is a bit of a stumbling block. Having had the opportunity to play with this prototype partially made me reconsider my initial impression, but I still think it's slightly too expensive. The end result is quite stunning though, and you definitely get a quality product for what you pay. If they could press the cost to keep the MSRP at the original Kickstarter level, I think it would be more manageable for a larger audience. As for now, it's definitely not the ultimate pencil for everyone, but for those that can appreciate a clean design and on point engineering, this could be it! 

Note: This product was provided on loan by Modern Fuel, free of charge, so I could write this review.  I was in no way influenced in the making of this review, the opinions shared in this review are completely my own! This post does not contain affilate links.