Uni M91010.26 Shift Pipe Lock Drafting 0.9mm Pencil, Silver Body with Red Accent (M91010.26)

The rotating lead motion only happens when you lift your pencil between motions. This can be difficult to get used to, causing you to notice zero difference in this from other pencils. That could also make your lead break, because if you don't lift your pencil up and you have too much lead out, then it will snag on the paper and possibly break like other mechanical pencils.-The eraser on these kind of suck. But, being an artist, I prefer having a kneaded eraser anyway, because those erase pretty much every 'lead' material.-Personally, I wouldn't trust the "clip" on it, but the times I've stuck it in my sketchbook spiral it's been fine... I've just never had good luck with them.As for the positives:-The rotating lead compartment inside the pencil definitely works. You have to slightly lift your pencil every once in a while to make sure it rotates, but if you're writing, you'll be doing that anyway... If you're sketching, it's just good practice. If you're shading with the pencil, you're going to have to be mindful of how hard you're pressing to not create too much of an angled lead tip, but even if you do, so long as you pay attention to how you put the lead against the paper for the next stroke after you lift it, your lead doesn't break, and the pencil will actually smooth it out again before you know it.-The lead included is GREAT for sketching. If you have a light hand sketching, it's very light, but you can adjust your pressure to make it darker. The range of values you can get is pretty impressive just because it starts out so light, but becomes so vibrant and saturated at it's most concentrated.-This pencil works best if you can hold it at a 90degree angle to the paper. I know that sounds crazy, but that's actually how you're supposed to sketch according to all the greats, because it gives you the most control over every aspect (line weight, value, precision, etc). The reason the pencil works best this way, is because you naturally lift it more and don't get the angle from drawing/writing anyway. I actually purchased the first one for this reason. The lead rotates when you lift, so it made me more aware of how I was holding the pencil and actually made my sketching/linework so much tighter, which allowed for less work when I went to refine the sketch to take something to rendering/final. **That's not to say it doesn't work perfectly well at the angle most people were taught to hold a pencil, I definitely use it that way from time to time as well, and it's perfectly fine as long as you lift it every once in a while.All in all, it's a perfect pencil for me. But I am aware it isn't right for everyone. So as long as you consider the things I've listed and think how you will utilize the pencil, it should be easier for you to decide if it's the right fit or not. At worst, it is cheap enough that it isn't going to break the bank if you decide you don't like it. At best, you have a fantastic new tool at your disposal for all your writing/drawing needs.

Bought this after purchasing and using Zebra's .7mm Steel mechanical pencil. Had been looking for the chunkier .9mm in an all metal/knurled grip design.The pencil opens with a push and a twist that takes a couple of times' use before it becomes second nature.The lead pipe retracts into the body of the pencil, which helps protect it should you drop the pencil or knock it off your desk. As this model is available in lead diameters all the way down to .3mm, I imagine the retracting pipe is of more importance to the thinner leaded pencils. As an added bonus, when the lead pipe is retracted, the lead advance is locked out so there's no chance of accidentally extending the lead as it rides in your pocket or case.The grip on the Uni-Ball Pipe Lock is knurled metal, but the rest of the pencil is plastic. That doesn't bother me as once the pencil's ingenious Pipe Lock mechanism is engaged, the working pencil feels solid and well balanced. In fact, the design is such that it is more heavily weighted toward the bottom of the pencil, which makes writing for extended periods of time comfortable.A couple of nits that aren't even big enough to dent the 5th star.1) The eraser is bizarrely small, and I'm not sure where I'd get replacements. I'd reserve it for emergency use and recommend getting a Staedler MARS plastic eraser. Pen/Pencil dorks probably already have a pencil case with their tools riding around in side, so having to reach for an eraser occasionally is no big deal.2) The lead chamber is deceivingly small. Where most pencils can take 5-7 leads, this one can only hold two plus whatever's in the chamber. This could be of concern if you write with the subtlety of a clydesdale like I do, but the .9mm lead resists breaking. The capacity of the thinner lead chamber may be more of an issue if you use the thinner leads as a matter of course.All in, a great pencil. You'll be happy. Buy it.