rOtring 800 Retractable Metal Mechanical Pencil, 0.5mm, Black Barrel, Perfect for Drafting, Engineering, Architecture Professionals

The rOtring 800 isn’t just a mechanical pencil—it’s an investment. Built like a tank with a full-metal body, it has the perfect weight and balance for precision work, making it a favorite for architects, engineers, and serious artists. The retractable tip is a game-changer, protecting the lead and keeping it pocket-safe. Yes, it’s pricey, but the buttery-smooth writing, rock-solid grip, and durability make it worth every penny. If you want a mechanical pencil that feels as premium as the work you put into it, this is the one.

It's a rotring instrument and of the highest quality you can get. Granted it better be very high quality for the price. The retraction mechanism is nice and crisp, very fidgety. The mechanism for the lead is also very good. The cap over the eraser is a nice touch and comes off easily but does not fall off on its own. The black coating on the pencil is very robust and has not gotten a single scratch despite the pencil living in my bag with no protection. All things said, this is one of the best mechanical pencils money can buy, but that's to be expected from a rotring.

I love the Pentel Sharp P205/P207/P209 and often keep one with me, but they poke through many shirt pockets. Nerdy, I know. But anyway, I wanted something with a similar feel and ran into the Rotring 600. The 600 is a great pencil that feels a lot like the P200 series, but with a heavier metal body and a great knurled grip. However it is pretty much just as pokey, and if you bend the tip on the Rotring 600, you are out a whole lot more money.The Rotring 800 solves most of the issues. It’s not QUITE as solid feeling as the Pentel Sharps or the Rotring 600 because of the retracting tip, but it gets most of the way there with a huge design benefit with the ability to carry it in a shirt pocket and not worry as much about the tip getting broken.

Before purchasing this, I was somewhat concerned about the “jiggle” that some have mentioned. However, it is far less pronounced than described and hardly noticeable.The pen feels excellent and functions flawlessly, and the rotating nib mechanism—designed for protection—is amazing.I am thoroughly satisfied and plan to purchase a second one in the near future as a backup, should anything happen to this one.A great product, highly recommended for those who appreciate exceptional design and high quality materials.

Yes, it's a bit pricey, but I don't think I'll ever use another 0.5 pencil. I've tried several other brands and types, but this iteration of the mechanical pencil is pinnacle. It's rotating action is effortless and smooth, yet tactile. It has heft but is not heavy, and the knurling on the grip is comfortable and effective. I quite like the fixed sleeve to protect the lead, and how it is retracted with the entire mechanism when out of use. I appreciate the all-metal construction of the body and it's durability. Also, this pencil comes with a warranty and is German-made.

I bought 2 Rotring 800, 0.5mm mechanical pencils for drawing and note taking. I use these, as well as a number of the less expensive 500's with multiple colors of leads and keep them at hand in a 3D holder I designed and printed.The retractable barrel is brilliant as you can easily keep it in your pocket without retracting the lead (or poking holes in your shirt). The barrel extends with the lead exactly where you left it, which sounds like a small thing until you do it a few hundred times. The retraction mechanism is also easily managed with your writing hand (one-handed), and spring-loaded.The build quality is excellent, and I imagine that these are made to last a lifetime. The pencil is much heavier than the hybrid metal/plastic models, but I find the weight to be a major advantage for throwing steady lines and arcs, owing to the additional inertia.The "micro" knurling around the grip area is small enough to be comfortable, yet sharp enough to create a positive no-slip hold.The visibility around the point is perfect for precision drawing and also allows for accurate alignment when used with drawing tools (triangles, t-squares, circle and elipse templates, etc.).In terms of finish, I have read some criticism of the durability, and I have a couple of nicks here and there, but I would attribute this to my handling of the instrument and not a failing of the design. To me, it is minor and only adds to the character. If you want to keep this pencil pristine, then you should keep it in a holder and not loose in among other pencils or objects that will chip or mar the finish. That's part of why I designed and printed the holder - so that I could protect the pencil and have it close at hand.If someone knows of a better mechanical pencil. Please post a link to it!