Adapto 2mm Lead Holder

<p>I bought this having never used a leadholder/clutch pencil before, so I cannot compare it with the other ones but just on its own merits. I also cannot compare it to older Koh-i-noor 5616 pencils which may have been made differently with better or worse quality.</p> <p>I have tried it for sketching, writing, taking notes, and ruling lines for cutting (like a carpenter's pencil). It worked fine for all of them. I have used it for about two weeks at this point.</p> <p>It seems to be all made of aluminum. It holds the lead in quite solidly. The finger grip is very grippy (although I find I never really have problems with pencils slipping in my hand).</p> <p>I actually like the very simple design for the look of the pencil. That is one reason I picked it over the other leadholders. I also like the yellow or perhaps ochre color that it is painted.</p> <p>I could not think of any "cons". So far I am pleased with this pencil.</p> <p>Length: 149 mm (without any lead extended)</p> <p>Weight: about 17 grams</p>

This Adapto lead holder is solid and feels well made. The knurled grip area has sharp points but is shallow, providing both a comfortable and secure grip. The knurling is somewhat distant from the lead, which is the right place for sketching, but a little far away for writing. The 4 piece lead jaws have always held the lead securely. This pencil is very similar to the Alvin Pro-Matic MC5, they appear to have come from the same production line. The Alvin is finished in a metallic blue and has a lead hardness indicator. Neither have a pocket clip, which is consistent with a tool designed for sketching. A little Koh-I-Noor history. This is a brand originally used by the Hardtmuth company of the Czech Republic. At some point the US distribution was sold and is now owned by Chartpac. This US operation markets the Rapidomatic and these Italian produced lead holders. The original Hardtmuth company still produces different lead holders, leads, pencils, etc in the Czech Republic. The Hardtmuth lead holders use a 3 piece lead holding jaw.

I love these lead holders. The old Technigraph used to be an aluminum barrel but now it is plastic. This model is still aluminum and feels very good in the hand. The knurled portion is shorter than the Technigraph model which is very strange but doesn't affect me much. I wish the knurl was a little longer but I am very grateful that I can still at least get the aluminum barrel which is the original quality level. Now if it was red that would be even cooler.

Most drafting 2mm lead holders are pretty much the same as for how they actually function. The Koh-i-Noor may not be as stylish looking as the Staedtler, but I've had one of these for over thirty years. It's so old and well used that the brass knurling on the grip has been worn into a smooth ring at the height where it sits against the tube of the lead pointer I use, but the pencil itself works as well as the day I first bought it. Of four lead holders I own, this is my oldest and my favourite. It will likely outlive me!