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For anyone thinking about buying the Kuru Toga, I'd highly recommend getting the original Japanese "High Grade" version (metal housing, rather than plastic) fro

For anyone thinking about buying the Kuru Toga, I'd highly recommend getting the original Japanese "High Grade" version (metal housing, rather than plastic) from JetPens instead: http://www.jetpens.com/index.php/product/view?products_id=4445 http://www.jetpens.com/index.php/product/view?products_id=44... I've been using it on a daily basis since September and it's absolutely phenomenal.

makmanalp 16y ago
While we're going on writing instrument fetish: http://davesmechanicalpencils.blogspot.com/2007/05/ohto-super-promecha-pm-1500s-mechanical.html http://davesmechanicalpencils.blogspot.com/2007/05/ohto-supe...
- withoutfriction 16y ago
  Thank you both! Will definitely check out these before I make a purchase. In fact, I might even ask HN what writing instruments they use before I buy the Kuru Toga.
- pasbesoin 16y ago
  I'll have to look through these links in more detail. For years, I've been looking to replace a lost Koh-I-Noor Rapidomatic .5 mm mechanical pencil . KIN still makes .5 mm mechanical pencils, but they are plastic barreled and made in China. This older generation was made in Japan and has a hefty brass barrel and a very firm, precise, but not stiff lead advance action. The extra heft was just enough to make the lead glide over the paper and to neutralize minor hand tremors as well as deviances caused by variations in the paper surface. It was and absolute pleasure to write with it. I bought a Rotring 600 series mechanical pencil before they disappeared. Externally, it has a rather similar appearance. But it is lighter, and the action is stiffer and less precise. The Koh-I-Noor was at another level. With some digging, I can find a page that describes them. But I've never found a hint of one for sale, not even on eBay.
drtse4 16y ago
Really interesting, and they also ship outside US.

makmanalp 16y ago

While we're going on writing instrument fetish: http://davesmechanicalpencils.blogspot.com/2007/05/ohto-super-promecha-pm-1500s-mechanical.html http://davesmechanicalpencils.blogspot.com/2007/05/ohto-supe...

withoutfriction 16y ago
Thank you both! Will definitely check out these before I make a purchase. In fact, I might even ask HN what writing instruments they use before I buy the Kuru Toga.
pasbesoin 16y ago
I'll have to look through these links in more detail. For years, I've been looking to replace a lost Koh-I-Noor Rapidomatic .5 mm mechanical pencil . KIN still makes .5 mm mechanical pencils, but they are plastic barreled and made in China. This older generation was made in Japan and has a hefty brass barrel and a very firm, precise, but not stiff lead advance action. The extra heft was just enough to make the lead glide over the paper and to neutralize minor hand tremors as well as deviances caused by variations in the paper surface. It was and absolute pleasure to write with it. I bought a Rotring 600 series mechanical pencil before they disappeared. Externally, it has a rather similar appearance. But it is lighter, and the action is stiffer and less precise. The Koh-I-Noor was at another level. With some digging, I can find a page that describes them. But I've never found a hint of one for sale, not even on eBay.

drtse4 16y ago

Really interesting, and they also ship outside US.