You saw this coming, right? Round two!
This time, I have the upgraded Pilot S30 Drafting Pencil to give away, in 0.5 mm tip size and in the Dark Brown barrel color. Read the rules below, and enter away!
Posts filed under Mechanical Pencil
Pilot S30 Drafting Pencil Review
Last week, I reviewed the Pilot S20 Drafting Pencil, and this week I’m tackling it’s pricier sibling, the Pilot S30 Drafting Pencil, to see if the premium features - and price - are worth it.
If you didn’t read last’s week’s review of the S20 you should, but if you want the short version you should know this: I adore the S20. I’m still in the honeymoon phase with it, but I can tell it will have a long-term spot in my writing arsenal.
The S30 takes the straightforward S20 pencil platform, and turns it up a notch or three. At a quick glance, these two pencils look the same, but on the inside, the S30 uses a different mechanism to auto-advance the lead when the empty tip is pressed against the paper. The traditional knock-advance mechanism is still in place, so you have a choice how to advance the lead when using the pencil.
In addition, the S30 has a retractable pipe. This allows for a bit of added safety when storing the pen away. For some, this is a mandatory feature for any mechanical or drafting pencil.
Those two mechanism changes increase the weight of the S30 to 21 grams, versus 18 grams for the S20. The approximately 15% increase in weight is noticeable.
What else is noticeable is the shiny chrome finish of the S30, as well as the matching wood treatment on the knock. The packaging of the S30 also gets upgraded to a more traditional hanging box, compared to no packaging for the S20.
Last but not least, the S30 checks in at $40. If the $25 S20 is in the premium pricing category, then the S30 levels that up even more.
So, is it worth the premium price for the premium product? To me, no. I prefer the lighter weight and matte hardware of the S20 more than I need a retractable pipe, touch-advance lead, and a box that I will throw in the garbage. For others, the retractable pipe will be worth every penny of the premium if they like the pencil overall.
That’s the takeaway here. If you like the style of the S20 or S30, then it boils down to which features you are willing to pay, or not pay, for. No matter the choice, there is a high likelihood that you just found your new favorite pencil.
(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)
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Pilot S20 Drafting Pencil Review
I’ve wanted the Pilot S20 Drafting Pencil for ages. I, for one, cannot resist the style of this pencil, or any of Pilot’s wooden writing instrument designs. The S20 is a prime example of a classic Pilot design that is as good today as when it was first launched.
When exactly was that? I honestly can’t say. I’ve tried to hunt that information down, but to no avail. Decades? I think so, but with frequent lineup changes it was difficult to sort out. Regardless of whether it launched last century or last week, it is a near-perfect design that any mechanical pencil owner should consider owning.
Most pencils with “Drafting” in the name take on a very technical exterior. Metal barrels, aggressive grips, all the bells and whistles that make for a good option for a technical pencil. Pilot strips all of that away in the S20, using a warm birch wood barrel with subtle curves and matte finish hardware. It looks just as home on a writing desk as it does a drafting table.
Those curves are what I love the most about the S20. Combined with the lightweight wooden barrel, the slightly concave grip section molds right into your grip. The barrel taper towards the top as well, allowing it to fit into the cusp or your hand comfortably. The design cues are subtle, but important of the overall feel of the pencil.
The barrel is made from “resin-infused birch wood” with a Mahogany color on my S20. Pilot is well-known for this range of “stains,” which also includes Brown, Dark Brown, Deep Red, and Black. Mahogany is in the mid-range of darkness, allowing the wood grain to be visible. The grain connects well between the hardware as well, for those who prefer everything to line up cleanly.
From a feel perspective, I cannot praise this pencil enough. It is lightweight, but has enough density to retain precision control. The wood grip warms to the touch, with added tackiness with continued use. Over time, I imagine there will be some wearing in in this area, so I’ll have to pay attention if it begins to smooth out. I doubt that will present any issue.
The Pilot S20 is $25. For a mechanical pencil, that falls into the premium price range. For me, it is well worth that price, and worth the difference in feel and quality over pencils that are $10-$15 cheaper. It is that good.
The real question, which I’ve successfully avoided up until now, is how it compares to the upgraded - and even more expensive - Pilot S30 Drafting Pencil. More on that one soon!
(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)
Enjoy reading The Pen Addict? Then consider becoming a member to receive additional weekly content, giveaways, and discounts in The Pen Addict shop. Plus, you support me and the site directly, for which I am very grateful.
Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. To find out more about membership click here and join us!
