Sonic Ratchetta Capsule Pencil Sharpener Review

Pencils are a thing, even for a pen addict, and now that I carry wooden pencils with me frequently I need a portable pencil sharpener to keep me company. The Sonic Ratchetta Capsule Pencil Sharpener fits the bill nicely.

I’m all set at home with the desktop Classroom Friendly Pencil Sharpener, but hauling that around in my backpack doesn’t exactly fly. I’ve also seen many open blade models where the pencil shavings go everywhere you don’t want them to be. I’m a bit of a neat freak - which was part of my pencil hangup in the first place - so having a compartment to hold the shavings until I am able to dump them out fits my needs perfectly.

The Rachetta handles that task well, but what really sets it apart is the way you sharpen the pencil itself. It’s like a socket wrench or ratchet screwdriver in that you don’t have to readjust your grip with each twist. The ratcheting mechanism lets you work your sharpening magic with ease. A little back and forth and a fresh new point is yours.

There are also two point settings on the sharpener: Fine point and broad point. The fine is what you think of with a traditional pencil, and the broad is useful for colored pencils or those who want wider, softer lines.

For someone who is not a traditional pencil person I’m impressed with the Sonic Rachetta. For only $5.50 and your choice of five colors it is a solid addition to your daily carry.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

Zebra DelGuard 0.5 mm Mehanical Pencil Review

The Zebra DelGuard introduces a new lead breakage prevention mechanism to the market by absorbing some of the writing pressure within the internals of the pencil. As with all new products on the market that introduce new features, it boils down to does it work as intended. In the case of the DelGuard, it does.

When I first saw the DelGuard I assumed by the similar looks that Zebra was going for a Kuru Toga type mechanism, but that is not the case. Instead, they built in cushioning inside barrel in the form of a spring and lead pipe that adjusts as you write.

My concern with the DelGuard is that I would feel the mechanism working as I was writing, but that wasn't the case at all. I prefer firm mechanical pencils and it felt as if I was writing with any standard pencil. That's good design. Do your job while not interfering with the expected experience.

I'm a medium to heavy pressure writer and never once broke the lead writing normally. When I increased my writing pressure gradually the lead stayed intact as well. Of course you could push it to the breaking point with extreme pressure or extending the lead too far, but the DelGuard handles everything else admirably.

If you enjoy mechanical pencils and lead breakage is holding you back, then give the Zebra DelGuard a try. At $7.50 it's not exactly cheap but if it can eliminate frustration it may be worth it.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

Tombow Mono 100 Pencil Review

How do I integrate wooden pencils into my daily writing arsenal?

That is such a ridiculous question but it is where I am at mentally right now. I have become a pencil believer, with much gratitude to my compadres at Erasable, but taking a pencil with me for regular, daily use is a challenge I have yet to overcome.

The easy answer is to just do it, right? That is all well and good, but I am a peculiar and particular individual when it comes to things like writing instruments (I write a blog about these things for goodness sakes!) Daily wooden pencil use is a hump I haven't been able to get over, as much as I want to.

I think the carry aspect is what stops me on most days. When I leave the house, my notebook is in a front or back pants pocket, and a pen or three is clipped to my shirt or in a pocket somewhere. Wooden pencils do not work in this way, and therefore are never considered for this task.

I'm rambling about this because I think I have found the pencil for me in the Tombow Mono 100 and I want it to be a bigger part of my writing life. This is far and away the best looking pencil I own, the HB graphite lead is smooth with just a hint of feedback, the point holds an unreal amount of time, it's Japanese (I'm admittedly biased), and LOOK HOW PRETTY IT IS!

The Tombow Mono 100 is the only pencil I have thrown in my backpack to take from home to work and back because I wanted it available to me at all times. My Topo + Doane Mountain Bag has the perfect vertical slots for pencil carry and the Mono 100 travels well in it. I need to go ahead and stock my desk so I have a few available at all times.

That still doesn't solve my carry problems though. I know there are bullet pencil options and caps that prevent breakage, but I don't want to settle either. Like a good pen, I want to use it when and where and how I want. Answering all of those questions is the journey I am on.

(JetPens is a sponsor of The Pen Addict and I received this product at no charge.)