ALVINDR05, Draf-Tec Retrac, Retractable Mechanical Pencil - 0.5mm

These pencils are outstanding, and bring together the hard to find combination of retractable tip and fixed 4mm pipe. All this is managed while still keeping a surprisingly slim form factor, only very slightly wider than your typical mechanical pencil barrel. Weight wise, the heft is everything you'd expect, and does not feel at all cheap or hollow, nor does it rattle like some cheaper offerings.What's more, the double knock system works beautifully, in part because the initial click to extend the tip and pipe requires considerable force compared with clicking to advance the lead. I have found that, in comparison to other double knock pencils (for example, the Pilot Delful), this makes for much lower likelihood of accidentally retracting the tip, but also allows you to more confidently click to advance the lead, rather than having to purposely feather it. Indeed, even with full on clicking to advance the lead as I would with any other mechanical pencil, I have been unable to effect an unwanted retraction. To be clear, it's not overly difficult or hard to do a the full depression required to retract the tip, but it is distinctly more effort than you will ever expend to advance the lead, which is exactly as it should be. I cannot imagine it being more well calibrated in this regard, and it really does put my Delful to shame.Last but not least, build quality is definitely there. All metal components for the tip, pipe, end cap/cone, top cap/eraser cover and the pocket clip. Construction is top notch, with very tight tolerances, which matters quite a bit with retractable tip pencils. Cheaper models and, regrettably, even some expensive options like the Rotring drafting pencils, suffer from tip wobble. Maybe it doesn't matter to some, but if you're sensitive to such things and look for the best tactile feedback, you will appreciate the very extremely tight fit and finish on the components of this fantastic pencil. There is virtually zero tip wobble, enough that I'd confidently wager nobody could tell the difference if using it blindly vs. a fixed tip mechanical pencil. Build quality is owed to the OE manufacturer, which is not Alvin but instead Penac. This is why the pencil is marked as made in Japan, because Penac is a Japan-based manufacturer (German operated), and they produce what I would argue are some of the highest quality and best made mechanical pencils available.If you're looking for a quality drafting pencil with a fixed pipe, fantastic build quality and a retractable tip mechanism that ticks all the boxes and works flawlessly, look no further. You could spend three or four times as much on a wobbly Rotring, but when it comes down how it feels in the hand and functional precision, this Alvin wins by a mile. I will be buying a few spares, and I highly recommend you do the same. Exceptional value for an outstanding product.

Or maybe more appropriately, “unrated” instead of underrated. Couldn’t find many reviews or YouTube recommendations prior to purchasing, but this mech pencil is great. It’s light. It DOES has a retractable lead pipe. I have the 0.3mm version and yes, lead breaks easily, but that’s not a knock against the pencil. Alvin makes quality gear and this is a nice, affordable option.

Point .03 lead that is always sharp and ready to use for drawing and writing. Smooth operation, feels good in the hand. The tip retracts to protect it from bending if dropped on a tile floor. I use it for drawing and for taking notes in the margins of books.

An affordable mech pencil with a retractable lead tip. Hard to find similar. If the retractable tip is its big plus, the lack of leads hardness (HB, B, 2B, F, H, etc.) visual indicator is its weakest point. If I load the pencil with B leads, but than if I need HB or 2B in five or six days, suddenly I'll have a hard time remembering what I already have inside the pencil. Overall, a very good pencil that's very useful when traveling or moving around with the pencil in your pocket.

I own two of these pencils, and they are my favorite all-around mechanical pencil. Similar to the Rotring 600 or Alvin Draft/Matic, the grip is relatively close to the writing tip, which is the most conducive to my writing style.The rubber grip is extremely comfortable, and I gravitate to this pencil in the stressful environment of exams. I just don't have to think about it or be conscious of it, whereas the Rotring 600 grip starts to feel too slippery in my sweaty fingers.The retracting tip feature is what really clinches this design for me: I can put it in my work pants pocket, or vest pocket, and not worry about breaking or bending the tip. The tip locks up solidly, with no obnoxious play.It's a robust design. I even bent the pocket clip on one of mine, but was easily able to pull the end cap off, bend the clip, and replace it. For the price, this pencil is a happy marriage of luxurious precision tool and cheap beater pencil.My only complaint is that the eraser cap is hard to remove when the tip is extended; I often click to retract, then remove the eraser cap. A minor quibble.The only other pencil I like nearly as much is the Alvin Draft/Matic, with it's delightfully aggressive knurling—but it lacks the retract feature. Just buy this pencil, and you won't regret it.

We were so used to heavy mechanical pencils and I just took it for granted weight equals quality. Well, that is not true. This Alvin pencil is very light and nicely balanced. You don't realize how fatiguing writing can be until you try a lighter pen or pencil. Lead guide is a stable as my Rotring and Pentel retactables and I like the simplicity of a hard press to extend and light press to advance lead. Great pencil and worth a try.

I really enjoy writing with this pencil. If I could, I’d rate it 4.5 stars. It’s comfortable to hold, well balanced and of course the retractable tip is fantastic. It also doesn’t roll away; the top half is not round, eliminating a worry I didn’t realize was so irksome with my old mechanical pencils. The lead that it shipped with is not for me though. It does not erase cleanly and it smudges terribly.My pencil shipped in a ziplock bag, inside a bubble wrap bag. There is a small area near the clip where the plastic finish is dulled. I thought it was a sticky residue, but I haven’t been able to quite get it looking and feeling like the rest of the pencil. I don’t know if packaging is to blame, but I think a pencil at this price, at the least, should have a cardboard sleeve or a molded plastic cover fused to cardboard for protection.

This pencil is perfectly retractable and very good quality. I have used both 0.3 and 0.5 and they work great.

La calidad del producto y su fabricacion, su diseño es excelente, es un encanto para escribir