Koh-I-Noor Rapidomatic 0.9mm Review

Upon the recommendation of a family friend, I ordered a Koh-I-Noor Rapidomatic 0.9 mm pencil.  It seemed to have many of the qualities that I appreciate in my standard and favored pencil, the Alvin Draftmatic.  It has an elongated lead tube that allows me to see what I’m writing, fine knurling that provides a good grip without making my fingers calloused, and a thin barrel that is easy to hold.

I appreciated the concept of having a separate pencil for HB lead than from 2B lead, so I could easily tell the difference in my pencil case.  (The one flaw in the Alvin Draftmatic is that the lead indicator spins and is not useful at showing which lead is actually in the pencil.)

I was reluctant to write my thoughts until I gave the Rapidomatic a fair trail run, and I am glad I did.  This pencil has a problem that is now driving me crazy.  I may even remove it from my pencil case (it is that serious).

The lead advance seemed to be working fine for the first few weeks, but after less than heavy use the lead advance mechanism within the pencil began to fail.  Pressing the lead advance button at the top of the pencil numerous times doesn’t push much lead through the pencil.  I actually have to grab the lead and pull it out manually with my fingers.

Koh-I-Noor, why have you broken my heart?

This pencil has a second problem, though it is less serious.  The clip was very hard to remove.  Clips on pencils may be a pet peeve singular to me, but I really man-handled the pencil to get that clip off.  I ended up scratching the barrel as the clip was pried off.

Getting my hands on this pencil was also really hard.  Why?  Are they no longer manufactured?

Now that I think about it, and as I am writing this with the Koh-I-Noor, my hand is starting to cramp.  I am seeing impressions from the knurling on my fingers.  I am holding this pencil way too tight.  This is not the experience of pencil writing that I am looking for.

Sorry Koh-I-Noor.  The Rapidomatic can’t touch the Alvin Draftmatic as my favorite pencil.

My pencil case; a cradle for every pencil

When you love your pencils like I do, you can't have them rattling around in the bottom of your handbag, or worse yet, left at home in a pencil cup.

A pencil case that gently cradles each pencil so they don't roll off a table top.  It will also prevent pencils from getting lost, as an empty sleeve means that you still need to put your pencil away.

In my pencil case, I keep 2 mechanical pencils.  Right now it is loaded with an Alvin Draftmatic 0.9mm with 2B lead and a Koh-I-Noor Rapidomatic 0.9mm with HB lead.  (2B lead is for writing on rainy days and HB lead is for using on sunny days).

I also have a stick eraser.  This is because I would never use the eraser that is included on the end of my pencil, except in emergencies and under dire circumstances.  An eraser isn't really necessary, but its a little extra just to make me feel special and prepared for anything.

The fourth slot in my pencil case is for lead.  I don't use the barrel of my pencil to store extra lead for several reasons.  Extra lead makes a rattling noise inside the pencil that sends me to distraction when writing.  Lead can get jammed in there, potentially leading to anxiety.  Also, I prefer to load my lead down the front of the tube at the writing end (I'm a muzzle loader), and not through the breach, so I don't even want to pull the cap off the end of my pencil...ever.

If you tape two packages of lead (Pentel Super High Polymer 15 pcs) end to end, it fits nicely in my pencil case.  When I need to refill my pencil, I have the lead right there.

My pencil case, shown here, is an Aston Leather Finger Style Quad Pen Case.  It comes in several colors, and I have it in tan.  I have been using this pencil case for several years and I have nothing but positive things to say about it.