So here I am again, way outside my natural comfort zone, writing with a pencil that has a rubber grip and a button ratchet mechanism. That’s two strikes against it before I even start. On the plus side though, it is a Pentel.
Lets start out with the overall look of this mechanical pencil. Plastic body, rubber grip, metal pocket clip. To be honest, in black, I think its pretty uninspiring. I haven’t got it in any other colour but perhaps a bright colour might give it a bit of ommph. The colour and shape together just do nothing for me. By Pentels high standards, I don’t think the standard of plastic moulding is very good on this pencil – the part lines and injection points are reasonably obvious.
The 3mm metal lead sleeve is suitable for draughting, but it’s not retractable so its not pocket safe. My pencil is 0.5mm lead but other sizes are available. There is an eraser under the plastic top cap - its Pentels standard mid-size rubber eraser so its a reasonable eraser. You pull the eraser out to refill the lead chamber. My pencil came with 5 sticks of lead which is a little bonus compared to the 1 stick you seem to get with most pencils. The pocket clip is a good springy steel clip so its quite functional.
The grip section on the Quicker-Clicker is a rubber compound. It’s in the medium to hard range but does have a little bit of ‘give’ under finger pressure, and a little bit of a ‘grippy’ feel so I guess it does improve the grip properties a little bit. I don’t know, maybe it’s just me, but for some reason I just couldn’t get a comfortable grip on this pencil. Something about the grip diameter, it’s shape, the position of the clicker button, etc. I just couldn’t get it right. The first Pentel I haven’t liked? There, I’ve said it, and got it out of my system. My inner torment and dilemma has been reduced.
The clicker button is positioned in the rubber grip itself. This means it often gets in the way when you first pick up the pencil, and you have to rotate it around until the clicker is in the ‘right’ place. At least this clicker button forms part of the general contour of the grip section and doesn’t stick out like some mutant growth, but I would definitely prefer the clicker to be higher up on the body, like on the Techniclick, where you can operate it with the joint of your thumb rather than your thumb or fingertip like here. The clicker is quite stiff so it’s not accidentally activated when you pick up the pencil. I suppose some people in a hurry might write with the clicker positioned beneath their finger so they are always ready to advance to lead. But not me. One advantage of the side clicker though is that the lead advance isn’t activated by putting the top cap on or off when you use the eraser.
Pentel don’t put much marking on this particular mechanical pencil. There is “0.5, Pentel, Japan” stamped into the metal pocket clip in big letters and “PD345” in small letters. There is no reference to the name “Quicker-Clicker” on the pencil itself.
- Best Points – Ummmmm, moving right along.
- Not So Good Points – The clicker button in the rubber grip, it’s just an uncomfortable combination.
- Price Range – Economy/Low.
Dimensions – Length 148mm, diameter 11mm at widest part of grip. Balance point about 80mm up from the tip.
Posts
92 comments:
I think you do a disservice to the Quicker Clicker. I first used the Pentel P205, but from high school to grad school, I used the QC exclusively. I studied mechanical engineering, so using a pencil for homework was a must. The QC is ubiquitous and cheap in the US. Back then, the QC did not have the rubber grip. They were plastic all the way. The best thing about the QC is the eraser, which can be advanced until there is barely a sliver remaining due to the metal eraser gripper. This is great for poor students, and cannot be done with pencils with the P205-style small erasers which have a tendency to slide into the barrel, or with pencils that have plastic eraser cups. From someone who used it extensively for years, the QC was the mechanical pencil of choice.
Hello ‘Anonymous’
Thanks for your comments. Writing this review caused me great emotional torment. How could I not like a Pentel? So thanks for leaping to the defence of the Quicker Clicker, I’m glad that it is a much loved thing, even if not by me. In general I agree with your comments about the eraser.
Pentel did us a horrendous disservice when they added the clumsy grip to the QC. The old QC was the mechanical pencil of choice for engineers all over the world. If they had added a sliding sleeve to the old QC, they would have had it perfect. The side advance, large exposed eraser, light weight, and sturdy pocket clip were desireable features. In my engineering office, everyone owned several of the old QC's. The new QC is not liked because the grip is large, clumsy, and slippery. As the old QC's disappear, we are experimenting with other brands and models, but the updated QC will NOT be anyone's choice.
Hi all,
There is something worse than the grip of the QC, it's the grip of... another Pentel, the Pentel Energize. I have never hold a mechanical pencil more slippery than this "thing"! A real disaster.
Best regards,
Pascal.
Hello Pascal and Anonymous. Thanks for the comments. I guess we are in general agreement on the QC. Pascal - I don't have an Energize, but I'll check out the grip if I ever do end up with one to complete my Pentel range.
You're welcome Dave! I have more than 40 different models of mechanical pencils myself (thin leads), and I am afraid this is a bit unuseful to collect so much pens, but after all, it's still the better way to find the "right tool for you" (we have had an interesting but short discussion regarding this difference between the "simple" collection and quest for perfection on PigPog, in the review of the Pentel GraphGear 1000). Anyway, believe me, you will probably waste your time and regret the money spent to buy the Pentel Energize, I have tried to write with this pencil another time and in fact... it is worse! The rubber turns around the barrel!!! With the average leads and the conic part under the rubber grip that is too long for me, this is really one of the less ergonomic mechanic pencils I have ever tried, even if it is clear that some people have really worked on this model for Pentel. You can feel the work, but at the end the result is far from what you could wait from this pencil when you look at it...
I must come to defend the Quicker Clicker. Since the days of elementary school -- that is, nearly ten years ago, I have used the Quicker Clicker. I have tried to use other mechanical pencils, and yet always find myself back to the Quicker Clicker.
I see that you have used the solid black version of the pencil. This does not do the pencil justice. The translucent smokish color is where this pencil is at. I think the pencil has great balance, and for its price, is extremely well-built. It may be almost entirely made of plastic, but it is not the cheap, light type of plastic that I tend to associate with budget pencils. It has great balance, and I do not mind the grip or feel to it at all. I also happen to like the side-clicker function.
Overall, I feel that this pencil is hands-down the best in its class. For a relatively cheap pencil, it is phenomenal. In my opinion, this is the best you can get without spending large amounts of money.
But that is just me.
I agree with what most people are saying about the new QCs rubber grip. Why did they have to add this feature??? I've used the QC from high school through grad school and I wouldn't use anything else. When I tried to order the QC for work, I discovered this new version with the rubber grip. I hate it so much I actually rummages through my old boxes in the basement to try and find my old QCs.
does anyone know where I might be able to buy the old model? Is there an after market for this kind of thing? I tried Ebay, but all I can find is the new model.
I just want my old QC back!!!!!
You can buy the older version of the Quicker Clicker on the Pentel website, for what appears to be a limited time.
To be even more precise, right here:
https://www.pentelstore.com/catalog/index.php?grp=784&osCsid=351377616ac6d26d80ce164d86184320
Kind of expensive, but if you really want one, there's your chance.
QC = BEST PENCIL EVER, I have used mine since 5th grade and have the same one since 7th grade. SUPERB quality and build. That means 9 years now, and I have tried others and always came back to the QC. Now i don't even bother with other pencils. And the original non grip QC is available: https://www.pentelstore.com/catalog/index.php?grp=784&osCsid=351377616ac6d26d80ce164d86184320
Many thanks to the above two posters for alerting readers to the availability of the Original Quicker Clicker (without the grip).
The Original QC proved to be such a reliable pencil for me in the lab and in the field, that about five years ago, I bought a couple of packs when I noticed they were being discontinued. Last March (2006), my last pencil from this batch finally bit the dust.
At that time, Pentel did not offer the Original QC on its eCommerce site (I wrote and asked) so I tried the newer model with the rubber grip. Fifteen months later one side of the grip dimpled out, even though it was not left in the sun or anything like that. Otherwise, it had the same great side advance and large eraser that you can really bear down on.
Before buying another new model, I Googled "quicker-clicker grip" and found this blog and the above postings. Just now I've placed an order for ten Originals at the above link. Good times are here again!! (I am SUCH a geek).
FYI, the 0.5mm (thin) lead version is available in smoke grey and blue at a price of $4.60 each. Here are the Pentel part numbers:
PD345TAQ 0.5mm/Smoke barrel
PD345TCQ 0.5mm/Blue barrel
Thanks again to the above posters and thank you, Dave, for having a blog where we can find this kind of thing!
Oh man, this is awesome! A blog that will let me actually rant about how totally screwed up my favorite pencil. Well really I don't have anything new to add. The crimes have been listed already:
1.Crummy grip
2.Bloated unbalanced design
So this is absolutely not the first time that I have gone hunting for the "classic" (if you will) quicker clicker, and I have to say that this website (specifically two two posts above) have made my month! Currently I have 3 full QC's, as well as a few extra tubes and clicker mechanisms. The thing is, I have always been afraid to take them to work because I thought that someone might take them.
Now that I'm able to buy them, I'm going to stock up and not worry about having one stolen. I have to say, I spend 4 years going through engineering school using a QC, and I was very sad to see that I couldn't find them any more. What a glorious day to find them again!!! :)
Oh yes. I have finally found out that you can order the classics. I to will have an order for 10 soon. And if I can find other people to order some then I will get them too. There is nothing like the original and the new and improved sucks. Yes folks it is only a pencil but it is my pencil.
Panzer
I have long been discontent, having experienced the Quicker Clicker during a period of losing pencils right and left, and I found this article by Googling "Quicker Clicker" to see if it might be possible to buy some at a price low enough to outweigh the concept of "wait till we see it in a store." I have never seen pencil that has pleased me more than the QC, and I think what I like about it envelopes a lot, if not all, of what the reviwer complained about - the placing of the clicker, the rubber, etc.
Pat, thank you so much for that link!! I've used the non-rubberized quicker clicker exclusively since fifth grade, and I'm about to get my master's in mechanical engineering. I was very disappointed when I realized that they had been discontinued. Since the one I'm on now has lasted about 9 years, if I order 7 or 8 more of them it should literally be a lifetime supply...
Those of you who are complaining about the grip on the new Quicker Clicker will be glad to know that the original Quicker Clickers are available--and, for the moment at least, in stock--at the Pentel Online Store.
https://www.pentelstore.com/catalog/index.php?grp=784&osCsid=e47b1fb9ab92356918dba721841f6d43
Thanks for that link (just bought 5 of them) the old style quicker clicker pencils. I wrote pentel about brining them back like a year and a half ago so maybe someone listened?
They said it was for Ergonmics xD the rubber grip whatever :)
The biggest problem with the newer clicker clicker in my opinion is not the rubber grip but instead the cheap quality plastic and steel tip. Within a month or so of heavy usage, the metal tip will likely bend very slightly making the pencil useless.
The classic quicker clicker tip is practically indestructible and this is most likely the reason pentel stopped its manufacture. (nobody needs to buy new pencils if they don't break).
When a friend of mine mailed pentel about 6 years ago to ask why they stopped production, a representative explained that they wanted to use this newer tip on 2 of their models.
I'm going to order a large stockpike of classics now that I know they exist, but i sort of wish they'd just start making them again... *sigh*
I am also dissatisfied with the new-style quicker clicker and have been using one of the old-style ones that I've had for probably close to ten years now. Also I tried removing the grips and sanding down the new ones which is an improvement but still not as good as the "classic."
Anyway, it looks like 10 is the number to order... plus I'll still have ole Bessy... maybe I should put her in a case or something.
THANK YOU I LOVE YOU
just wanted to add to the many people who have benifited from the link.
I have had two of them for almost 10 years now, and one is damaged, so i went looking around the internet yet again and this time I was so lucky to end up here.
just wanted to reiterate:
1)best pencil ever
2)grip sucks
3)the ones i have are some of my most prized posessions.
4)i will now go buy 50 dollars worth of pencils.
once again, i will always love you, whoever posted this link
Not to plow old ground, but I also have used the original QC since school days and cherished them, and maintained them dilligently however now, at the demise of my last one I turn to the new QC with the rubber grip which is terrible. I am tempted to buy one and take a sharp blade to see if there is the old straight barrel left underneath.
If Pentel brought back the old one, I would be in line to stock up on them. As it is, I am now forced to look elsewhere for the pencil I want.
The old one was so good, it has reached almost cult status with persons of my generation; those who still have one, loathe to give it up at any price.
On the other hand, at my request Pentel sent me free threaded tips and eraser cups to replace those I had which where lost or broken.
In this case, retro would be the way to go...
"I am tempted to buy one and take a sharp blade to see if there is the old straight barrel left underneath." You wish..
Is there a reason my first post was completely ignored? The reason the rubber grip was added to the design was to fit the fatter cheaper plastic screw on tip! This tip is the serious functional difference and is THE REASON THEY PUT THE GRIP ON IT IN THE FIRST PLACE.
The pencil itself was redesigned with a rubber grip to match diameter with the new tip.
This is exactly what pentel said in reply many years ago when asked why they stopped making the classics and it makes perfect sense.
thanks for this blog - I'm back in school and tried another new Pentel and used it in class for precisely about 2 seconds... I have 2 of the classics and ordered just one more ($11 !!) but they are good - have had them longer than I can remember, and with H lead they just rock!!! hahaah.
P.S. I called Pentel today and the person who answered said they havn't had the classic ones "for years" - didn't even know you could order one from their own website! so I used the url in this blog! happy days!
pentelstore.com is a store that sells pentel products, but is run by a 3rd party business. They simply happen to have a surplus they want to unload.
the classic is deffinately better, and i'd say that nothing compares except the "zebra" pencils or whatever, but their lack of a heavy eraser like the pd345 sets them far behind.. also, the newer pentels aren't entirely bad, it's just that the old ones were so much better! only have two left, and one is missing its metal tip! argh..if only they still made them...
Great pencils b/c of the nice, big, accessible eraser and easy lead advancement. The new ones suck because of that huuuge grip. I am excited to be able to get my hands on a couple of the old ones since I am an electrical engineer who uses a pencil all day.
I use the newer QC. While it is ok it is what got me into collecting Mechanical Pencils. I love The QC and have seen a "classic" being used in school. The guy gave me a chance to test it and it was great. I love it. I love the eraser the most on both of them. I was a big fan of papermate erasers until i started using the Pentel one again and found how much it rules.
Thank Heaven for this blog!! My "classic" was stolen along with my backpack out of my car last night. I'd been using that pencil for 17!! years! I was more distraut over losing my "lucky pencil" than i was my notes or anything else.
I'm off to order 2 or 3 right now.
:D
I don't think anyone has mentioned Staedtlers soft-Click, I love the pentel quicker clicker, but the Soft-click is up there is quality, if not greater.
I just want to add to the pile of thanks for the link to the classic quicker clicker. My first classic QC lasted me about 13 years before finally breaking down. I now have 3 years on my last classic QC and I was getting a bit antsy about losing this one or having it break.
I was quite excited to be able to buy a batch of classics. I told my wife about it, she didn't get why I was so excited, but she played along and humored me.
There's just a special bond between a guy and his pencil that women can't understand. :D
I am an avid fan of the classic QC. I used it for years, starting in high school, until it was replaced with the current version. I absolutely HATE the grip they added. I even gave feedback to the Pentel. Their reply:their market research indicates that the majority of their customers prefer the remodeled version (ugh). At the time they were not making the classic version available, but thankfully they added it to their offerings (for a limited time), just a few months later. Having been in pursuit of the "perfect pencil" for quite some time I am relieved to be reunited with my old, trusty friend. Oh, and even though I'm female, I do understand the special bond between a person and their pencil! :)
I really like the Clicker except for the fixed sleeve. I still have a copy that Pilot put out in the 90's with a sliding sleeve (and the exact side clicker). I wish I bought a box of these back in the day.
In general, Pentel needs to re-issue many of their pencils from earlier years. And offer the Japan only pencils in the states. It's a total disservice to the long time customer. They also need to release a history of what pencils have been produced, and when. I badly want this information.
i have to agree about the clasic quicker clicker being the best mechanical pencil out there. i've had mine 10 years now, acquired another one 2 years after the first (identical) and by my senior year of college and grad school REFUSED to take a test without one or the other...they were good luck and comfortable. the ability to take the eraser out is good on the poor student's budget.
i have a new QC and while the grip is OK, i prefer the old ones. i now have 3 classic QCs (whomever lost that last one probably missed it as much as some of you who had them lost or stolen!)
3 isn't enough. i went to the pentel website and ordered 4 more. better safe than sorry!
I have about 20 still in the old blister pack and then bought another 10. The only thing I have found is the plastic starts to split right after the tip is screwed on along that seam. The only thing better then a old style QC would be a metal body old style QC. And yes I have done the extend the eraser trick often. Once I found them I never let go.
Panzer
The soft-click is a piece of crap. I bought one recently before finding this blog because i wanted my old quicker clicker back. The lead comes out too far when it's clicked and it's just a horrible design. So glad pentel is offering their original quicker clicker. ordered 5 today.
Just want to say that I am deff. glad I found this blog. I used the original from 94' in middle school till graduation form high school in 2000. No after 8 years im back in college and all I could find was the cheapo rubber grip so I ordered a few of the originals from the link. When I was a kid I had so many different colors from green to blue. I also found a link if you want some more to choose from (green included) http://www.suppliesnet.com/browseproducts/PENTEL-CLICKER-PENCIL-GREEN----(Item--PD345-TD).html Very pricey due to shipping :(
Nice link!!!! woohoo!!!!
I recently bought 2 new models in 0.9mm. The grips were so slick I couldn't believe it. I sat them down and walked away for a bit, and then thought to try windex. I sprayed some on a paper towel and wiped the grip. It worked great. The grips are now grippy.
I do think the new model is a disappointment compared to the old model.
Here's a question: One of my old ones has a tip that lets the lead slide out when you hold the pencil vertical and click. I tried some new Pentel lead, and it was no better. Any idea what has happened? Any recommendation on what I can do to fix it?
Matthew R - probably the lead holding ring in the tip has come out or broken. Can't recall - can you unscrew the tip section on this? If so there should be a little O-ring in the very tip that holds the lead when the clutch jaws are open. It stops the lead sliding free as you describe. Sometimes they come loose and you can push it back into the tip. Or its broken and you need a new one. Pentel have life time warranty.
Anon---You were correct. The little rubber bushing is missing. Is there a Pentel service number or address somewhere?
You're lucky, germ ! Can you help me and order some for me ? Supplies.net won't ship to France ...!
All the best !
Jean
Goody@noos.fr
I have to say, I've been using the same transparent blue PD345 for the last 12 years. I'm an engineer, and it gets quite a workout.
It's starting to show some wear, and I'm very dissapointed to find that I cannot find a replacement without the rubber grips. I'm hoping to take the workings from a new one and transplant them into the body of the only mechanical pencil I have ever owned.
I can't believe how attached I've become to this thing...
I thought I was the only QC geek out there, but then I found this blog. I've been using Pentel Quicker Clickers since I was in 5th grade. I've lost several over the years, but my latest ones have been in use for the last 4 years (sadly with the aforementioned soft grip). I wish Pentel would bring back the original.
FWIW, I've always had great customer service from Pentel. Whenever an old QC died, I would ship the remains back to them and they would send me a brand new one. I've done this several times.
Has anyone noticed that the lead advance button gets loose and makes an annoying noise when you shake the pencil. It has happened to my new QC's and my old ones. Does anyone know how to fix this problem?
I like the Pentel Techniclick PD105. The button on the side is just right to hit with my thumb to advance the lead; without being in the way during writing.
The Quicker Clicker itself is not as appealing to me.
I don't really like soft or tacky rubber grips. One allows the pen to move too much as I'm writing, and the other too little.
@Stuart
I agree that the newer quicker clicker isn't really that special. The original is grossly superior as it is made with a much higher quality plastic tip with better quality metal and without that annoying rubber grip. I feel like its much better balanced as well. The newer version also has a high tendency for the metal tip to bend due to its material and longer length thus making the pencil useless. I have used 2 original quicker clickers for over 6 years and the one that wasn't stolen still works just fine aside from having a bit of lint in the clicking mechanics damping the clicking sound a bit.
Hooray for forced obsolescence!
As mentioned in one or more of the comments, these pencils are still available through https://www.pentelstore.com/catalog/index.php?grp=784
Hello, Just reading through the post while browsing the Pentel website. It seems Pentel has temporarily re-released the original quicker clicker. I am a former engineer student and this was everyone's pencil of choice when i was in school as well. I am ordering more of them asap!
I just have to say THANK YOU VERY MUCH to those that have posted the links to the store that has a stock of the previous generation of Quicker Clicker pencils.
I've had the same mechanical pencil since ninth grade. I've lost or broken every single other pencil, pen, scissor, ruler, and the like, but my trusty QC has always been there.
A couple of years ago, I backpacked around Europe to clear my head. As it would happen, on the second-to-last day of my journey, I accidentally left my QC in a coffee shop in Amsterdam, and didn't realize it until the morning of my departure. I ran back--amazingly they were open--and there was my pencil! YES... oh crap. Some f'n pothead had disassembled it, and the nosecap was nowhere to be found.
That sucked. When I got back stateside, I sought to replace it only to find that Pentel has "upgraded" the line with the new, fatter tip and rubber grip. It's crap, utter crap. I took the tip, threaded it onto my old QC, and had to modify it a bit to make it fit.
It's still not as good as it was, but better than the rubber grip version. This new tip seems to break more lead sticks than the classic did though.
And now my broken heart has mended... if I can hold onto one QC for twelve years, ten more QCs should be a lifetime supply!
I don't think it is a coincidence that engineers and engineering students tend to gravitate toward this amazing pencil.
Thanks again.
JC
I thought I was the only one. I bought several of the old Quicker Clickers when I saw that they were being phased out, and I just broke my last one. I'm a compulsive pencil-twirler and the sleeves tend to either bend slightly or get jammed up into the nose cap if they take a nosedive into a hard floor.
I wrote to Pentel when they discontinued the old model to complain and ask whether I could purchase some of the old ones. They weren't very helpful at the time and I've been living in fear of losing or breaking my remaining pencils ever since.
I have a whole bunch of quicker clickers, but after 3 weeks of using one, the black rubber that is attached to the cylindrical part at the bottom started to pull out and now there is like a big chunk of rubber just where my finger is supposed to go ... has anyone experienced this?
Anony:
I've had the rubber grip bubble, separate from the underlying plastic, and delaminate (come off in pieces). The original is the way to go, and *still available* at the links posted above (thanks, folks, for posting those links).
Have had mine since the mid to late 90's. My favorites are the 0.5mm with 2B leads. Lately, I saw the newer designs available in Costco and was contemplating if I should try. I suppose I will probably continue to hang on to the original ones that I have.
Wow! Very refreshing blog about mechanical pencils. I found this site through googling about the Vanishing Point pencil. Thanks again for starting a MP blog.
hey has anyone used the new qc? the re-worked the grip and it is now much better. no-latex so it is not slippery anymore. also has groves to improve the grip even more. check it out!
I'm So buying the classic one right now. It sucks that they don't have the blue color anymore. I'm going for black this time.
For those interested, on pentel's website you can order the old style of these. they are the PD345, wheras the rubber grip one is the PD345A. i have 2 more coming in the mail, since i'm down to 2 of the old style.
as a graphic artist the original QC was a perfect fitting, my final one broke the other day, and made me want to cry, until I seen they are selling them on the site YAY
I, too, have used the Quicker Clicker for years, and hated the huge grip when it came out. I eventually got used to it since I need the QC's specific clip shape, but still think it's unnecessary.
On the plus side, the newer version's tip is screwed on more securely, and the metal part is impossible to smash in. I went through the old ones pretty quickly, and the tip was always the weak point. I always wished they sold replacement tips since I still have a small bundle of perfectly fine old-style bodies with missing or smashed-in tips. By comparison, the new ones last me years until I lose them.
Actually, I just depleted my stash and bought a couple of the new textured ones the other commenter mentioned. Will see how they go. (But why do they STILL only sell one color per lead size in stores? Gray for 0.5, blue for 0.7, red for 0.9. Bah!)
I've had some of the new QCs for several years now. The rubber grip has stretched out on all of them. It slides back and forth, rotates, and hangs over the front of the pencil making it generally unusable. The rest of the pencil body is in great condition. Thank goodness the originals are still available, though the shipping is a little steep.
when i first got this pencil i hated it but now about a year after i bought it i for some reason like it...i dont know why...
I have both versions, and the older one without the slippery rubber grip is still the best. The grippy one I wouldn't mind giving away, as where I'd be mildly upset if anything happened to the classic. (At least until I get some more.) For as cheap as some models are, Pentel has their rivals seriously beat in feed mechanism precision and reliability. (Pentech or whatever is crap in comparison.)
Apparently there must be some popular demand for the old version because Pentel still offers them on their site. Now they added TAQ to the end of PD345 if you want the "classic". (Look a ways down the list from the plain PD345.) It seems to have the improved "nib" of the later models, but without the annoying and awkward grip.
Oh, and btw I made a 3D model of one. You might see it over at Turbosquid.
You can buy the ORIGINAL quicker clicker without the grip at http://www.pentel.com/catalog_product.php?id=784
It is Pentel.com and search for the ORIGINAL Quicker Clicker. They only offer the smoke in .5mm and the blue in .7mm but nevertheless, they do still sell it on line! Wish they still had the other colors available because I can nl longer match my pencil to my outfit on a daily basis ... and this is of critical importance :)
could you do a review of the twist erase click? it is essentially the twist erase, techniclick, and quickerclicker put together...or from what i saw at target and staples
No chance at the moment because I don't have one.
well if you ever come across one, i would recommend buying it...it is in my opinion a great pencil...
I have an Original QC that just bought the farm. I was thinking of sending it to Pentel for warranty, but I am afraid they will replace it with a newer crappy QC.
Any experience with this? Love this pencil and would hate to part ways with it(sentimental value).
Several years ago I bought an original QC on Ebay for about $15 because I HAD to have it. Somebody stole it a few months later. I am SO THRILLED that they are available. Thanks to OP.
i think the only pencil that kinda matches the original quicker clicker is the papermate clickster original they have a gripped version too) maybe you could do a review on that ine too in the future?...
although the new quicker clicker has somewhat horrible externals, the internal parts look pretty good. from what i can see the whole mechanism is metal with the exception of the side button...
Lefty
I like the pentel Twist erase (express) not the regular twist erase it's similar to the quicker clicker except for the grip which is rather slender so it's not as thick because it's a knock off of the twist erase. The .7mm is better then the .5mm btw
could you do a review of the pentel twist erase click?
Lefty
Lefty - sorry, no chance anytime soon, but maybe next year...who knows.
I agree with the comments that the original quicker clicker is significantly more comfortable. I absolutely love the original one. I'm an architect and I've carefully evaluated every writing/drawing instrument I can. There plenty of other great writing tools out there, but I just keep coming back to the original quicker clicker.
Thanks Dave for this site! So glad I can see others have a geeky care for what they write with all day.
So here is an image depicting my thoughts on the quicker clicker: http://urltea.me/2je Dave, I absolutely think you need to give the original quicker clicker a chance at a seperate review.
Thanks, ALAN
Good photo - thanks Alan.
The old Style QC is still available from the factory and as for the bulky grip, newer grips are slimmer and have contours an almost knurled.
I like the QC 0.5mm pencil. However, a few complaints.
That rubber grip. It slides up. It slides down. It spins around and blocks the button. It gets LONGER with use; most of mine have 1/8-inch gaps on either side of the button. The grip just won't stay *still*.
Temporary relief has been had by soaking it in alcohol (it's either isopropyl or methanol), letting it dry, and shoving it back onto the barrel. But the "treatment" does not last long.
Whose idea was it to put three pencils of two different colors into a 3-pack? Two blues and a gray?
Anyone know where I can purchase the previous version: gray straight barrel? They used to come in a 3-pack.
Thanks.
I ran across a drafting supply store in my area ( Vancouver, BC Canada) that had about a dozen of the old style QCs in a display rack next to a bunch of P205s and P207s. I didn't see a price on them, didn't even take a close look at them, but I recognized them as I have an old one still myself - side clicker, no rubber grip, but only with a black barrel. I would guess that the only other possibility is that they are copies, but I'll have to look closer to be sure. I'll do that in the next few days and post back to confirm that they are Pentel PD345, how many they have and the price.
Cheers.
Dave, if these are genuine old style non-grip QCs, would you have a problem with me helping your readers acquire these through your blog? Don't wanna step on any toes...... Cheers!
Dexter - depends on how. You are welcome to post a link to the retail store.
OK, so offering to buy and ship them would be "stepping on your toes..."? :) The store in question is a very small operation, and near as I can tell doesn't do internet sales. Here is the link:
http://candraft.com/home.html
This is a not-for-profit offer, not trying to make a career at internet sales, just trying to help out. I've never actually done anything like this before so if you have a better suggestion, let me know.
Cheers.
Well I don't really want this blog to become a buy/sell/swap advertising place, but I'll make an exception this time.
Hiya folks. I stopped in at the drafting store today and confirmed that these are definitely old style PD345s, with black barrels, white opaque eraser caps, open stock with no packaging. He has 9 of them and he is willing to put them in a sleeve so they don't get too scuffed up during shipping. The bad news is the price.... $8.95CDN. With international mail, HST( federal sales tax) of 12%, paypal fees and a padded envelope they will run somewhere around $20.00CDN mark. Pretty rich for a $5 pencil. Guess it depends how bad you want one. Another thing to keep in mind is that at the moment Canada Post Employees are locked out/on strike, so this won't happen quickly. Don't know if there are any takers, but I tried.
- Dave - can I post an email address? so we don't clog up your blog with irrelevent chat?
Cheers.
Sure, post your address if you wish.
OK - Thanks! If you have any questions about these QCs I found, or want me to get you one, email me direct:
dexter1420 at gmail dot com
I have owned my PD345 .5mm pencil for over 20 years and it has performed flawlessly. I hate mechanical pencils with end caps that you have to push to get more lead and dinky erasers. I also hate pencils that do not advance the lead precisely or advance too much lead at the tip.The QuickerClicker has none of these faults. The only fault is when the lead wears down and gets past the clicker mechanism, you have to pull it out and advance the new lead behind it out of the tip. Otherwise the lead rolls around in the metal tip and gives an imprecise line. Yes, the clicker mechanism does wear over time and gradually becomes less smooth in operation but it is not major. The stock erasers for the pencil are too abrasive and don't erase cleanly. The original green ones were better than the ones available now.I solved that problem by buying a box of Staedtler white drafting eraser refills and use a razorblade to cut them to the right length. Problem solved and cheaply too! I have a fistfull of other mechanical pencils but the Clicker is my favorite. I have purchased a new PD347 in .7mm and yes the rubber grip makes the pencil a bit fatter but I'm used to it now. I like my old one better though; it just feels good in your hand. I am glad that I have found this site. I didn't know that the pencil was guaranteed for life. I have a red PD345 that needs a new tip. I have kept it all these years in hope I could find the part so I am grateful to you intrepid pencil geeks for getting this info. All in all I think this pencil gives the most bang for the buck.
ive been taking college math for three semesters now, and this is by far the best penicl ive come across!!!!! I had no idea the right pencil could really help to lighten the burden of such a large workload. This pencil has the best size, weight, balance ratio ive experienced yet. My favorite part is the grip, its so good that you practically forget where the clicker is!!!!! The compound and tread pattern on the grip is excellent! The only downside is like anything else, they dont last forever...the grip will eventually wear out, but it holds up very well for quite awhile. And the only other thing is the metal tip is a bit long so dont want to slam it around too much, as one of my QC's suffered a little bending and resultant cracking of the plastic molding that holds it in place. Since then ive been more careful and haven't rlly had a problem.
I just had my laptop bag stolen out of a rental car on a business trip. I had transparent blue, red, green and black 0.5mm in that bag, along with the Clic erasers. None of them had the horrible Barrel grip on them. Went to pentel's website and all they have is the 0.7mm ones in transparent black (smoke). Hopefully they will bring them back in the 0.5mm size. Also, did they ever make these in stainless steel? I have no problem paying for quality and I absolutely love these pencils.
Funny... I know this is an old blog. But I begin using this pencil in 1988 when I was in 7th Grade. I have not changed pencils ever since!
First off the grip was not originally there. I really has no purpose except as novelty or to make it look fancier.
It is has been the best mechanical pencil on the market since I was a kid!!!
What I like is that it holds the lead well, and that you get the most use out of the lead compared to other pencils.
This brings me into why the end does not retract. HORRIBLE PENCILS in Germany all retract. So when the lead is getting smaller it recoils inside the pencil. With the Quicker Clicker this does not happen at all!!! I have carried them in my pocket and so forth... but really what artists crams his or her good pencils in their pockets. That would be like carrying a sharpie in your pocket waiting for an accident. WHY DO IT?
As for different colors... who cares. I like the traditional black, because it looks classy. But if I am in need of a new one and the store only has the other colors... then of course I would buy them as well.
I also like that logo is not stamped so big where you can read it a mile away. Again it keeps the pencil looking classy.
It is the perfect tool for drafting, drawing, sketching, writing, or whatever.
My two cents :)
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