A few notes about some major online stationery presences:
Dave’s Mechanical Pencils appears offline. I’m not sure if this is a Google policy at work or David’s action, but it is sad to see it gone. It was the major English language mechanical pencil website for many years. There’s a small bit of Dave here, half of a joint blog post we did in 2009.
The Zoss Pens Listserv has announced the end. If you recall using Netscape or Mosaic – this list dates back to then. The list prided itself on being the most learned and thoughtful place to share fountain pen knowledge.
The Pencil Pages website is 21 years old! Congratulations Doug! The website used to have a “Buy/Sell” forum – it was the first online discussion of woodcase pencils that I became aware of.
I hope we can appreciate these efforts – each one involved a significant effort, and was shared freely with the world. Let’s carry on doing that, keeping conversations open and accessible.
Thank you for these details. It’s really sad to see that Dave’s weblog is gone! I came across it almost ten years ago and have enjoyed it.
I’m heartbroken about Dave’s Mechanical Pencils! It was such a great resource! If any of the content still exists out there and it needs a home, I’d be happy to provide a sub-domain on The Desk for it to live on. Maybe the guys over on Erasable might have a good idea for a communal place to house the content as well if we could find it and save it for posterity.
Gunther, Ana – yes, what a sad day.
Ana is right – it was a really great resource, and maybe there is a chance to rescue the blog’s contents. – When I log into Google I get the message that the blog is only available to invited readers.
I even posted a couple guest posts on Dave’s blog in 2010 :( Sad to see it offline! Hope someone can mirror it!
Odd. I was browsing Dave’s Mechanical Pencils a few weeks ago and found nice posts on all the pencils in my small collection. I recently got a few more and couldn’t find much info on any of them around the web.
Vikram, it is nice to see an online presence from a few years ago. Glad you are still around!
Leonid, thank you for the comment. It is odd – I know there is a lot of interest in the subject, but not really that much information.
I am pretty bummed about Dave’s Mechanical Pencils. It was such a great resource on all things related to mechanical pencils. Up until a day or so ago google cache had some of the pages available, but it appears that none of them are there any more. Archive.org also did not save the pages because of robots.txt.
Before everything disappeared I saved a copy of the list of reviews. Hopefully Dave would not mind relisting them here:
PRODUCT REVIEWS
Review Process and Price Ranges – March 2006
Price Ranges = Economy (US $0 – 3), Low ($3 – 15), Mid ($15 – 50), High ($50 – 150), Stratospheric ($150+)
Mechanical Pencil Reviews & Articles (Price Range in brackets)
Artline Click-it 7150 – (Economy/Low) June 2006
Beifa MC1002 – (Economy) July 2009
BIC AI – (Low) February 2010
BIC Matic Classic – (Economy) August 2008
Caran d’Ache Ecridor – (High) July 2006
Caran d’Ache Ecridor Artiste Fixpencil – April 2008
Caran d’Ache Fixpencil – (Mid) March 2007
Caran d’Ache Varius Ivanhoe – (Stratospheric) March 2006
Cleo Skribent Der Gessner – (Mid to High) February 2007
Conway Stewart Nippy No 3 – (Vintage) April 2007
Cross ATX – (Mid) November 2009
Cross Century II – (High) June 2010
Delta Dolcevita Medium – (Stratospheric) November 2007
Eberhard Faber EFAmatic – (Economy) December 2006
Faber-Castell E-Motion – (Mid) April 2006
Faber-Castell Grip 2011 – (Low) February 2006
Faber-Castell Grip Plus – (Low) September 2007
Faber-Castell Gripmatic 1375 – (Low) November 2007
Faber-Castell Propelling Pencil – (Low) June 2009
Faber-Castell TK-Fine Executive – (Low) August 2008
Faber-Castell TK-Fine Vario L – (Low/Medium) October 2007
Faber-Castell TK4600 – (Low/Mid) October 2010
Filofax Organiser (pencil) – (Mid) December 2009
5 Star Premier – (Low) February 2010
Franklin-Christoph Paradox Model 08 – (High) May 2008
Inoxcrom 2002 – (Mid?) June 2008
Kaweco Sport – (Low) September 2007
Lamy Accent – (High) July 2009
Lamy Al-Star Graphite – (Mid) January 2006
Lamy Logo – (Low/Mid) November 2010
Lamy Pur – (Mid) May 2008
Lamy Scribble – (Mid) February 2006
Lamy Spirit – (Mid/High) August 2008
Lamy Vivo – (Low) March 2007
Lamy 2000 – (High) October 2006
Manufactum Druckstift Feinstrichmine – (Low/Medium) January 2008
Mitsubishi Pure Malt M5-5015 – (Stratospheric) October 2010
Monami Gripix – (Economy) March 2010
Ohto APS-280E – (Economy/Low) December 2006
Ohto Auto Sharp AP-205 – (Low) January 2011
Ohto Super Promecha PM-1500S – (Mid) May 2007
Ohto Tasche SP-10T – (Mid) September 2007
Parker Jotter – (Mid) July 2007
Parafernalia Revolution – (Mid / High) April 2006
Parker Duofold Pinstripe SE 2004 – (Stratospheric) February 2008
Parker Duofold Centennial – June 2009
Parker IM – (Low) September 2008
Papermate Apex – (Low) May 2010
Papermate Auto Advance – (Economy) May 2006
Papermate Biodegradable – (Economy) July 2010
Papermate Clearpoint – (Low) June 2010
Papermate FlexGrip Elite – (Economy) August 2010
Papermate Pacer Executive – (Low) March 2009
Papermate PhD Ultra – (Low) April 2010
Papermate Technician II – (?) Sept 2006
Papermate Write Bros. – (Economy) November 2008
Pelikan Pura – (High) January 2008
Pelikan Souveran D400 – (High) February 2008
Pelikan Souveran D800 – (High) February 2008
Pelikan Technixx D99 – (Mid) March 2008
Pentel AccuGraph PG1505AD – (Mid) April 2008
Pentel Caplet A105 – (Economy) June 2009
Pentel Champ AL17 – (Economy) November 2010
Pentel Classic Deluxe S55 and S57 – (Low) August 2007
Pentel Client AL905 – (Low) September 2008
Pentel Energize PL77 – (Economy/Low) July 2008
Pentel ErgoTwist AL97 – (Low) May 2007
Pentel EZ#2 AX17 – (Economy) August 2006
Pentel Fiesta AX105 – (Economy) April 2006
Pentel Flex Fit II PW35 – (Low) April 2007
Pentel Forte series A57,A67,A77 – June 2008
Pentel Function PC1001 – (?) June 2007
Pentel Graph 1000 PG1005 – (Low/Mid) November 2008
Pentel Graphgear 1000 PG1015 – (Low / Mid) December 2006
Pentel Jolt AS305 – (Economy) September 2010
Pentel Mini M.V.P. AL17MN – (Economy) August 2007
Pentel Quicker-Clicker PD345 – (Economy/Low) November 2006
Pentel Sharp Kerry P1035 – (Low/Mid) February 2006
Pentel Sharp P205 – (Low) May 2006
Pentel Sharplet-2 A125 – (Economy) February 2009
Pentel Smash Q1005 – (Low) August 2009
Pentel Technica-X PW45 – (Economy) July 2008
Pentel Techniclick PD105T – (Economy) July 2006
Pentel Tradio TRP55 – (Low/Mid) June 2008
Pentel Twist-Erase III QE519 – (Low) Sept 2006
Pilot Birdie – (Low) August 2007
Pilot Clicker – (Low) October 2007
Pilot Dr Grip Ltd – (Low) May 2008
Pilot Rexgrip H-105-SL and Pilot Rexgrip BegreeN HRG-10R – (Economy) June 2007
Pilot Vanishing Point H1005 – (Low) August 2006
Platinum Hayakawa M-10000B – (High) April 2010
Porsche Design P’3130 Micado – (High/Stratospheric) Feb 2006
Retro 51 Tornado – (Mid) June 2006
Rotring 600 – (Medium) February 2010
Rotring Core – (Low/Mid) June 2006
Rotring Rapid Pro – (Mid) March 2011
Rotring Side Knock – (Mid) November 2010
Rotring Tikky – (Low) October 2009
Rotring Trio Pencil – (?) April 2007
Sailor Otehon – (?) May 2007
Sakura SumoGrip – (Low) September 2008
Schneider iD – (Low/Mid) May 2011
Sensa Carbon Black – (Mid) August 2006
Sheaffer Intrigue – (High) October 2006
Stabilo ‘s move easyergo – (Low) April 2009
Staedtler Mars Micro 775 – (Low) May 2006
Staedtler graphite 760 – (Low) September 2010
Staedtler graphite 771 – (Low) May 2009
Staedtler graphite 777 – (Economy) March 2006
Staedtler graphite 779 – (Low) May 2006
Staedtler Integrity 9505 – (Low) December 2008
Staedtler Noris 763 – May 2009
Staedtler Triplus Micro 774 – (Economy/Low) Sept 2006
Staedtler 925 25 – (Mid) March 2008
S T Dupont Olympio – (Stratospheric) July 2008
Tombow Cool – (Economy/Low) Sept 2009
Tombow Ocenic – (Low) February 2007
Tombow Onbook – (Low/Mid) October 2010
Tombow Zoom 505sh – (Mid) July 2010
TUL mechanical pencil – (Low) May 2009
Uni Alpha Gel – (Low) March 2010
Uni Return’s – (Low?) July 2007
Uni Shift 1010 – (Low) October 2009
Waterman Hemisphere – (Mid/High) October 2006
Yard-O-Led Deco 34 – (Stratospheric) January 2006
Yard-O-Led Diplomat – (Stratospheric) January 2007
Yoropen Executive Pencil – (Mid/High) June 2010
You & Me Jedo 3000 – (Low) February 2009
Zebra Jimnie KRM-100 – (Low) November 2006
Zebra M-301 – (Low) March 2008
Zebra Tect 2way – (Low) January 2009
Zebra T3 – (Low) August 2007
Reviews of Other Items (Multi-pens, erasers, pens, wooden pencils, etc)
Boston Cube Eraser – March 2008
Cross Tech 3 Multi Pen – April 2009
Faber-Castell Eraser Pen – January 2010
Faber-Castell Grip Erasers – May 2007
Faber-Castell PVC-Free 7085-20 Eraser – September 2007
Field Notes Notebook – September 2008
Forest Choice Wooden Pencil – October 2007
Inkredible Eraser – May 2008
Keun Young Notebook – May 2010
Lamy CP1 Twin Pen – August 2006
Metaphys VISS 44050 Eraser – October 2010
Papermate PhD Multi Pen – August 2009
Pelikan BR40 Eraser – Nov 2007
Pentel Hi-Polymer ZES-08 Eraser – July 2008
Pentel Tri Eraser ZE15 – April 2009
Platinum Maki-e Multi Pen – (Mid) April 2007
Platinum Mistake Multi Pencil – May 2008
Rite In The Rain Notebook – July 2008
Rotring Newton Trio Multi Pen – June 2006
Sanford Tuff Stuff Eraser – April 2008
Schmidt Converter – November 2006
S T Dupont Olympio – July 2008
Staedtler Mars Lumograph Wooden Pencil – October 2007
Staedtler Mars Plastic Eraser 526 50 – December 2006
Staedtler Rasoplast Eraser – October 2008
The Vespiary Notebook – March 2009
Tombow Mono Zero Stick Eraser – June 2011
Uni Auto Eraser EH-100P – April 2007
Zebra Sharbo X Multi Pen – August 2010
Lead Reviews
Caran d’Ache Leads
Monami Gripix T Leads
Pentel Ain / Super Hi-Polymer + Hi-Polymer Leads
Pentel Ain Supplio Aromatherapy Leads
Pentel Ain Stein Leads
Pilot Easy-Lead Leads
Pilot Neox Eno BegreeN Leads
Staedtler Mars Micro Carbon Leads
Uni “-ish” Coloured Leads
Uni Nano Dia Leads
“The Lead Cup” – Lead trials in a sports competition style
Round A – Parker, Pentel, Staedtler, Students Choice.
Round B – Faber-Castell, Rotring, Waterman, Zebra .
Round C – Caran d’Ache, Cross, Micro, Mont Blanc.
Round D – Insung Hands, Lamy, Papermate, Pilot.
Elimination Round – Caran d’Ache, Cross, Pilot, Zebra.
Semi-Finals – Caran d’Ache, Papermate, Pentel, Zebra.
Final – Caran d’Ache, Pentel.
The Lead Cup In Review
“The Great Blue Challenge” – Non-repro blue lead trials
General Lead Information
Scantron OMR Bubble Tests & No. 2 Pencils
Sizes and Grades of Hardness
Lead Composition
Does A Number 2 Pencil = HB?
HB Dark and Light, The Three HB’s
Lead Shape
Lead Diameter Plus and Minus?
Evolution of Thin Leads (0.5mm etc)
Refill Instructions for Mechanical Pencils
Non-Reproducible Leads (Non-Repro Blue or Non-Photo Blue)
Fading or Lightfastness of Coloured Leads
0.5mm Timeline – The Rise of Thin Leads
The “Leads” labels on the sidebar will also bring up some other stuff like postings of some pictures of leads, etc.
ARTICLES
Kotobuki (PENAC) Company – November 2007
Mechanical Pencil Mechanisms – February 2006
Paul,
References and quotes are fine, but I’m wondering if copying the whole index crosses a line? Anyhow, it is amazing to see this huge list of reviews.
Penciladmin,
I am worried about the same thing. It is a bit in grey area. I think the index like the table of contents and not the actual content. But, since this is your site, and you should be comfortable with the content, I would be happy to post an edited version of the information.
I am totally impressed with Dave’s reviews, both in quality and quantity. It is truly a loss to lose access to his blog.
anyone know where I can get a pentel s57 and s59 mechanical pencil?
Joe,
It looks like these have been out of production for a while. A popular Internet auction site has them once in a while. There three up in May (one S59 and two S57s).
Pencils are pencils, hope the man’s ok.
I have contacted Dave. I am happy to report that he is fine.
Any chance we could still read his blog?
http://web.archive.org/web/20170209060742/http://davesmechanicalpencils.blogspot.com/p/list-of-reviews.html
It’s not exactly the same, but it looks you can access the complete Dave’s Mechanical Pencil Blogspot on Archive.org (I found this link on Wirecutter – thewirecutter.com).
https://web.archive.org/web/20170202072440/http://davesmechanicalpencils.blogspot.com/
You even close the Archive.org banner each time you go to a new page and it’ll look exactly like used to.
Hello.
I’m back :)
Kiwi-d, this is great!
Hi Kiwi-d, Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
FYI, we took over and are still managing the Zosspens list.. It’s now http://zosspens.com and the list is still active.
Thank you for the link. I admire the Fyne Points especially and I have one or two older Yard-O-Leads that I like. William Penn is a website where you can get unique and beautiful pencils.