Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I am an office supply nut. I order imported pens from Japan, know all different paper sizing and weighting measures, and own more than a handful of no-staple paper binders. I offer this as my credentials to evaluate this mechanical pencil. I cycle between using a mechanical pencil or a modern gel ink pen as my daily writing implement. When I saw the Japanese version of this product, I jumped at it, making it the most expensive mechanical pencil I ever owned (I said I am a nut, not that I am a _rich_ nut). This is an "Americanized" version of the same thing. As with many foreign imports, the resulting mass market product is a bit bland and not quite as nice. Plastic housing feels cheaper (compared to metal on the Japanese version), rotating mechanism is a little bit noisier (compared to silent: it is hardly noticeable), and the pencil is a touch bulkier in my hand. The plastic is a touch too slick (it doesn't feel properly gripped, like it might pop out of my hand) but otherwise it is comfortable to use (haven't used it for long periods yet). The rotating mechanism works, just as advertised. It makes it easy to write tiny little messages. The 0.5mm lead really does feel like 0.3mm most of the time and I never have a slanted edge that cuts through the paper. So, 4/5 for not being quite as nice as the one I have been using, but again 4/5 because it is affordable and the mechanism really does improve the writing experience. Honest.