Pentel Client AL905 Mechanical Pencil Review

Pentel Client AL905 Mechanical Pencil Review

I see plenty of very nice looking ballpoint pens around the office at work. They invariably have a rubber grip, shiny metal trims, and the name of one of our suppliers printed on their brightly coloured metal bodies. Hey, everyone likes a freebie. The problem I have is that initially they always look quite good, but after a few months or so you can really see they were all surface and no substance. The rubber grips are falling apart, the trims and body colours are wearing through showing base metal or corrosion. Of course they have often had a hard life with little care or attention so the scratches, bent pocket clips, chewed tops, etc are wilful neglect and abuse but the end result is the same – from beautiful show-pony to ugly mutt in a short space of time. Most of these pens seem to be of a very similar style, and my problem is that the Pentel Client looks like it is part of that same continuum. It looks like the flash but cheap pen one of my suppliers leaves on my desk along with one of their printed notepads. It’s called Client which even implies it’s something you give away as a promotional item. Then I see “Made in China” on the sticker and the warning bells just start ringing inside my head.

I visited the Pentel USA website and they describe the Client thus, “Smooth, sleek, affordable automatic pencil with an expensive look and feel. Matching design with BK910 Client ballpoint pen.” With expensive look and feel – see, that doesn’t really make me feel any better. Having to point out that your product looks and feels expensive, well that never fills me with confidence. I’d really like to put the Client through a 6 month review period but I just don’t have the time. I thought maybe I should cancel this review because I was probably too prejudiced to be fair, but I decided to persevere.

Right then, away we go. Well, Pentel are right, the Client does look and feel expensive, but as above you know that to me it is that standard inexpensive “expensive” look and feel. So, maybe I’m a snob and the truth is out? Leave you to judge that. Anyway, my Client is blue because that’s one of my favourite colours, and it’s a really nice deep lustrous blue. In artificial light you also get some nice colourful effects. The body is metal, coloured blue, with chrome metal trims and a black rubber grip. The pocket clip is a good sturdy piece of chromed metal - there will be no accidentally sliding off whatever you have clipped to. One of the things I often dislike about these “expensive look” pens and pencils is the pocket clip. Anything more than a quick glance reveals that they aren’t, expensive. The Pentel Client’s pocket clip is no exception. It's the way they attach the clip to the body that always seems to let the side down. Nice fancy clip...lets just bend the end over and stick it on.I’m not a fan of rubber grips, but this one does have some mitigating features. It’s a standard round cross-section and the compound is quite hard so there isn’t really any give in it, but it does have a little tack and thus grip to it. However its number one good point is its shape. The contour is very well sculpted to position and hold your fingers in the correct position. Excellent stuff, I don’t know why more grips aren’t contoured like this. I think most people would like the feel of the Client in their hand.No prize for guessing this is a push top ratchet lead mechanism. Ten clicks will get you 5mm of the 0.5mm lead. Remove the top button to reveal the usual mini eraser and you pull that out to access the lead chamber. Down at the other end of the pencil, the lead sleeve is a writing style short cone, retractable for pocket safety. I’ve reviewed plenty of very expensive pencils and plenty of economy priced pencils too. Many of the economy and low priced pencils have been excellent products, but I just don’t get a good vibe from the Client. I’ve always thought of Pentel as a good solid, reliable honest no-nonsense brand, and the Client just doesn’t fit that picture. It’s trying to be something it’s not. I say spend you money on an Energize or a P205 or any of the other many excellent pencils that Pentel offer.

• Best Points – The grip contouring is very well done.
• Not So Good Points – Trying to masquerade as something it’s not.
• Price Range – Low.

Dimensions – Length 138mm, width 10mm across the main body. Balance point about 65mm up from the tip.

I hate writing negative reviews.