Mechanical Pencil

[TnT]

Anyone know of a mechanical pencil that is short and has a retractable head? I'm looking for a pencil for backpacking, and I'd like to keep it with my journal which is small. I also don't want the tip poking at stuff either, but if that is asking too much than just being fairly short would be okay.

The only retractable one I know of is the Grip500.

Thanks,
Thien

[Paddy]

Cant you just go to Ikea and steal a handful of their pencils?

[xortam]

I just use a short golf pencil for backpacking.

[VJ]

Some rotring models have a retractable tip...

In the more expensive range, Lamy might offer some interesting models in the Lamy TriPen range. These are pens with multiple possibilities (i.e. ballpoint, pencil and stylus; or ballpoint, pencil and marker; ...). The pencil is fully retracted in every model.

http://www.lamy.com

(the site doesn't work well with Opera)

Jörg

[az]

www.lamy.de works in Opera.

AZ

[DGhost]

generally, I just carry a couple cheap Bic disposable pens for hiking/field time instead of expensive/good quality ones. I used to use good ones but they always got lost/stolen/damaged pretty quickly. disposable ones are cheap and easily replaced....

[capt. marvel]

http://www.spacepen.com/usa/index2.htm

[az]

The beauty of Bic pens is that they also give you access to bikes and vending machines in an emergency

AZ

[UtwigMU]

I had a Staedtler retractable .5mm pen for about 5 years, loved it.

[DGhost]

az - exactly

capt. marvel - the various space pens are nice, they work great in the field and when hiking. the biggest problem with them is they are just too damn expensive. shopping online i can get like 200+ bic pens for the cost of one of those. who gives a damn if it won't write at altitude or upside down, with 200+ i can tear a few apart and make a quill with no worries

[TnT]

I've been using the little pencils, but when the tip breaks it kinda sucks.

[xortam]

Originally posted by TnT
I've been using the little pencils, but when the tip breaks it kinda sucks.

Don't you always carry a knife backpacking? You can't beat the light weight (I worry about every gram) and its always dependable.

[TnT]

Originally posted by xortam
Don't you always carry a knife backpacking? You can't beat the light weight (I worry about every gram) and its always dependable.

True, but I never really found scraping pencils exciting

I'll just look around to see what is out there. If anything I'll carry extras.

Thanks for the info though.