uni-ball Kuru Toga 0.5mm - Self Sharpening Mechanical Pencil - Pink Barrel + 12 Free Leads and 5 Free Erasers

Product Information

The Kuru Toga’s unique selling point is that its lead rotates which keeps the tip sharp when writing. When pressing the lead against the paper to write or when lifting it the gears of the “Kuru Toga Engine” revolve, rotating the lead slightly. The Kuru Toga is a mechanical pencil from uni / Mitsubishi pencil. In Japan it has been available for more than a year. The plastic version is now officially distributed in the UK and other countries, while the successor, the new Kuru Toga pencil, is already available in Japan. So the conclusion I’ve drawn is that it’s indeed a matter of pressure and perhaps angle when writing. I’m used to mechanical pencils and I generally never break leads. I hold the pencil at a roughly 40 degree angle, and usually rotate it myself every couple of words (something I had to consciously stop when trying the Kuru Toga). I’m not a fountain pen user, and generally use a mix of ballpoint pen and mechanical pencil at work. and the inability to fill in as many spare leads as in some other mechanical pencils (maximum 4 – 6 leads, depending on length and whether you try hard to squeeze them in) Sadly this pencil just isn’t for everyone. The construction seems good, though the material choices and weight aren’t my particular favorites (the regular Kuru Toga is almost entirely plastic, quite light, and neutrally weighted).

Of course with drawing, it's a mix of long and short strokes. In the picture above, one sketch was drawn with a normal mechanical pencil while the other with the Kuru Toga. I've forgotten which I've used for which. The visual difference is actually quite subtle. But when it comes to drawing, it does feel better to be drawing with the Kuru Toga.The turning mechanism works great for writing where there are plenty of strokes. When it comes to drawing, whether or not the pencil will turn will depend on how long your lines are. So if you draw a long line, that pencil lead will only get turned once. And in that case, it's actually no different from using any typical mechanical pencil. The Uni Kuru Toga are available in many different types of bodies and comes in three tip sizes: 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7mm. Kuru Toga is a mechanical pencil line developed by the Uni Mitsubishi company. The special feature of this pencil is a particular mechanism (referred as "Kuru Toga Engine") which rotates the lead every time the tip is pressed and then released from the paper surface.

This mechanism prevents the tip from becoming chisel-shaped (therefore more prone to crumble or break) and ensures a consistent line width. The tip rotation is obtained by a spring and three gears, and the revolving action is visible by a rotating logo. All models except the "Pipe Slide", the "Advance" and the "Advance Metal" (also known as "Advance Metal Punching Grip”), rotate the lead approximately 9 degrees per stroke (40 strokes for a complete revolution). Extremely low angles would do it but the angle is about where you’d be using a pencil to shade a drawing – almost parallel to the paper.The Kuru Toga eliminates this problem with the use of an ingenious lead rotation mechanism that continually rotates the pencil lead as you write. A spring-loaded clutch twists the lead incrementally every time you lift the pencil from the paper. This allows a uniform wearing of the lead to create a conical tip shape that provides a fine, consistent line. For the metal body pencils, there's a little hole that you can see through to the logo that's turning.

You can spot the Kuru Toga logo inside the grip section or under a window in the barrel. It's printed on the rotation mechanism—which comes in different colors depending on the lead size—so you can watch the logo turn and rest assured that your Kuru Toga is working properly. The Kuru Toga has been a disappointment for me, as the lead is not rotating, eliminating the advantage of this pencil while the disadvantages of this pencil remain: Kiki's Delivery Service - Everyday Items, My Neighbor Totoro - Stationery, Spirited Away - No-Face and All the Deities The thing that bothers me about the Kuru Toga most though is the play that is needed to use the mechanism. I prefer to write very small characters, and precision is important. When writing much larger, it’s not an issue, but for tiny, complex characters, there’s a bit of a tactile disconnect, which makes the whole thing feel less precise. It reminds me a bit of some retractable-sleeve pencils with a lot of wobble to them.There are also special limited editions featuring characters by Disney, Peanuts, Sanrio and Studio Ghibli. The design of the Kuru Toga across the different models is relatively similar. The bodies are generally slim and lightweight. The grip sections are made of plastic, metal, or rubber. Some Kuru Toga pencils feature Uni’s Alpha Gel grip, which is made of soft silicone and offers a balanced feel of comfortable cushioning and ergonomic support. So with each stroke, the lead will turn, and you will get a sharper point to write with the next stroke. The Uni Kuru Toga is a fantastic mechanical pencil for writing. When it comes to drawing, the turning mechanism may or may not work that well. But even so, it's still a mechanical pencil and will work like one. Nothing much to complaint about. And it's not too expensive. Availability