Fine so far. Being a lefty I have always used pencils to keep from smearing ink. Lately I have been on a retractable rampage after a physchotic break from holes in my shirt pockets. Considering the cost of all those pshychiatric therapy sessions, the retractables are a cheaper solution.

All the retractables have a different way of doing business. This one is the most positive so far. Push the pocket clip and wham, the barrel dissappears. Must retract lead first. The graphgear 1000 is not the most attractive pencil, but It works fine. Note: I can see no difference between this one and the so-called artist version, so save a few dollars and get this one. I have both.

Some complain about lead breakage with this brand or that. Truth is, all the name brands function well and breaking lead is caused by inexperience with mech pencils. My opinion anyway. Using a mech pencil is an acquired skill and does take time. Worth it since pressure and speed can result in different line density/width on paper, making for a more creative look than a pen.

Some pencils, like Kuro Toga, automatically rotate the lead for you. As part of learning the skill, one will naturally rotate the pencil unconsciously anyway, so I don't see a big need for this feature. Some folks bark about the lead pipe moving a bit when deployed. Surprise, ALL retractables have some play in the pipe. It effects nothing. The pipe needs clearance or it couldnt retract.

The Graphgear 1000 is priced such that I won't cry if it is lost/stolen/broken while out of the office.

I used regular #2 pencils for finish work for a long time. I have heard several people recommend these soI gave it a try. Click it twice and the lead is ready to go. I had to be careful, I tend to be heavy handed, I was breaking the finer leads (.03) so I lightened my pressure on the pencil and use .06 leads for the most part.

You know I've read a lot of reviews about the grip and I thought I was going to be holding a cheese cutter like the Rotring 800 but this pencil looks more sophisticated and neat.

I use this pencil because of the retraction feature. When a 0.5mm pencil falls from a desk, 87.9% of the time the exit tube gets bent and renders the device useless. Much harder to do if I retract the point when I'm not using the pencil. Well built!

Nothing else to say.