Rite in the Rain has come out with weatherproof mini slide-click mechanical pencils, designed for use in tough conditions.
The pencils are said to be “EDC ready,” with a shorter designed that’s more pocket-friendly.
They work with a 0.9mm pencil lead size. Replacement lead (9BR) and erasers (15ER) are available.
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Features include an impact-resistant ABS plastic barrel, textured triangular grip for a firm hold with wet or gloved hands, a slide-click lead advance system, and a burly oversized pocket clip.
The pencils come in a 3-pack for around $26. The “industrial” color pack has orange, black, and blue colors, and the “tactical” color pack (same link) has brown, black, and tan colors.
We’ve seen a lot of long-reach construction-focused mechanical pencils recently. These are different – they’re more compact and designed more for everyday tasks, including writing and marking.
Rite in the Rain also has other more traditionally-designed mechanical, pencils. The ones discussed above seem to be pencil adaptations of the brand’s popular bolt-action pens.
If you want a compact mechanical pencil that’s a bit daintier, check out the Pentel Kerry.
Looking for a construction marking pencil? Consider Pica-Dry (great choice), NicPro (low priced), Markal Pro (metal body), Hultafors (readers recommended it).
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Alexk
The metal sleeve at the bottom looks like it would tear pant pockets. Other than that, it looks good.
Unrelated, I just got my Wuben G5 yesterday and couldn’t stop playing with it. Bright light, great fidget but a little heavy. Feels well made.
Stuart
Obligatory link to the Wuben G5 for future readers: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DT6SS412?tag=toolguyd-20 .
CA
I have found that light to be really handy. I used the magnet to stick it on the side of a garbage disposal while working under a sink. Works very well.
Matt_T
If the metal tip doesn’t retract that’s a definite negative. It’s gonna poke holes in clothing and likely get bent, or broken, at some point.
Blocky
I recently started using this .9mm in shop and like it. The tip is retractable and you don’t have to buy 3.
https://www.amazon.com/Staedtler-Micro775-09-Mechanical-Pencil/dp/B000KT6N9I/
Robert
Is there anything unique about the lead that makes these perform better under adverse weather conditions? I read through the Amazon pages and didn’t find an answer to this question. I did notice one review said they are somewhat inefficient in lead usage.
Stuart
I doubt it, other than 0.9mm being thicker and harder to break.
Matt_T
Doesn’t appear to be anything special about the leads. And they show a picture of a regular wood pencil in the pictures for their notepads.
The leads are HB which might be noticeably faster wearing to someone who is used to using 2H.
Stuart
#2 pencils are HB.
That said, different brands’ mechanical pencil lead refills can have different binders or compositions that can influence wear.
Assuming that this takes standard 0.9mm refills, which looks to be the case, one can try out different brands or hardnesses.
Wayne R.
In looking at the Rite in the Rain website (where these cost a bit less than at Amazon), it looks as if these things carry a single lead, or, at least, come with a single lead.
I went to look to see if there was some advantage in using a R-in-the-R pencil with R-in-the-R paper but I guess that’s not a thing. It’s a weatherproof/tough pencil with normal leads and normal erasers without extra capacity.
Andrew
They are a little less on their website direct, and free shipping over $49 orders
Love rite in the rain. Use it primarily for refereeing… in the rain