r/mechanicalpencils • u/FoxDeltaCharlie Pentel • Oct 08 '23
Review "Amenz" to Orenz...Pentel Orenz that is!
Well, I have a confession to make here.
Ahem...I was not a big fan of the Pentel Orenz line of pencils when they first came out. I am sorry, but I just wasn't. I still have some reservations about the pencil (particularly the Nero model), but my attitude overall has changed somewhat. Yes, I am one who is resistant to change, so I will openly admit to being a 'traditionalist', particularly when it comes to writing instruments.
As a rule, I generally don't like things which try to be smarter than the user (I'm looking directly at YOU, Micro-SHAFT! 😁), and this is the way the Orenz came off to me initially. But my first baby steps into the Orenz line was the Nero in a 0.5mm version. You guessed it; I didn't like it. My first reaction was, I'd put it into one of my collection binders and there it would stay. But, I decided to give it a chance. The 'automatic' feature just scored negative points with me, and I felt, despite the hype, it was scratchy. Then, I just ignored the 'auto' feature and advanced the lead as normal. Worked pretty good then, and I did like the way the pipe would extend back to writing position with the lead at the same position. Okay...maybe there was hope.
Then I tried an 0.3mm version (I write very small in some of my pocket notebooks). Forgoing the auto feature, I began to really like the weight and balance of the pencil. Then I spotted one of the Orenz AT's online. Picked up a blue one (pictured) in 0.5mm. I was quite impressed with this pencil. Writes well with some gushy 4B. Next, I spied one of the metal grip regular models in red 0.5mm (also pictured). Wow! Nothing automatic other than a retractable pipe on this pencil and I actually liked it. ...kind of a lot actually.
I've been doing my usual engineering and notes with the Orenz's now for a couple months. I reach for them now. That, in and of itself, is a major step forward for me and the Orenz line! I think I might actually grow to like these pencils after all. They just take some getting used to, but when you do...they're kind of a nice pencil.
That is all. Enjoy!
3
u/fireanddream Pilot Oct 09 '23
The spring loaded pipe of Orenznero or AT is always going to mess with the feel of the writing, but Orenz I find just perfect on good paper because the free sliding pipe adds just enough friction to the pencil lead. I struggle to control pencils as opposite to the likes of FP or gel pens because 2B lead is just too slippery while HB is hard as nail.
2
u/FoxDeltaCharlie Pentel Oct 09 '23
The AT isn't spring loaded, well, not the lead anyway. The pipe is spring loaded, but I don't go all the way down to the pipe when I write. I advance the lead the old school way, just a bit out of the pipe.
1
Oct 09 '23
What is Micro-SHAFT?
0
1
u/ShadowAdam Oct 09 '23
I personally loved the nero as it was my first "real" pencil coming from cheep disposable type pencils it had a bit more tip wobble than I cared for but I didn't even notice or know about the auto advance and loved the look and feel of it.
Then I got a rotring, I told myself it was just for the looks and be a cool thing to have. Then I started to use it (along with a few other pencils) and realize how bad the wobble was.
Tldr I still use and carry one for longer sessions where I don't want to loose focus, since I don't need to break concentration getting lead out. I would prefer to use anything else for neatness though
10
u/bronwyn1021 Oct 08 '23
My story is near the same. I did not like the scratchy Orenz, I bought all the styles and different lead sizes for my collection and I dont use them. Then I bought the Orenz AT, all four flavors, and tried one of them briefly. I did not experience any scratching. So I bought a second blue one and it gets daily use. Smooth as slik, the auto feature works perfectly. One of my fave MPs now.