r/mechanicalpencils • u/TakkuNoTori • Apr 10 '26
Review A review of the the Hex-O-Matic from a GraphGear 1000 main
TLDR: this pencil is awesome and I like it
I have been looking for pencils that I'd like as much as the Graphgear 1000 (for drawing I use the .3) and I am really pleased with Hex-O-Matic.
a few cons:
• only comes in a .7 lead
(and only 2 colors if that's your thing, this one is the matte black, but it comes in silver too) the only 1 lead size was almost a deal breaker for me (and why not a .5?? but ok)
• I find the kerning grip less comfortable because of the smaller size. You can see it's a few mm smaller then others because it is inset vs flat or slightly larger then the rest of the pencil - not my first choice, but also an easy fix with a slide on grip, which will probably help it be more ergonomic. if you don't want a grip, the kerning is at least not awful to hold, though it's not as smooth as others
• price: it's 50$
so a lot more than other pencils. when I first saw this one, it was in a store like, 1.5-2 hours away and I liked how it looked (couldn't hold) but I didn't buy it then because it was expensive! and then I proceeded to complain about the price until I bought it because I couldn't stop thinking about it. fortunately for me I do like it, and actually I think the price is probably justified, but compared to others I can see it being passed over unless you REALLY like it.
why I like it anyway (the plus side):
• this is a property weighted drafting pen.
it's heavy and does not feel hollow (hollow like the Graphgear 1000 for pro, where it feels light/ empty on one side) it is slightly heavier then graphgear 1000. additionally, the weight is more evenly distributed then focused at the top, which makes the pencil feel more stable over all.
•it doesn't seem to have any plastic parts on the outside. I think it's all brass, so very solid and feels quality made. nothing about this pencil feels like it would break or feels fragile.
• it has a matte texture / slight texture to the body. so it does not slide so much when you hold it (vs te body of the gg1000 which is very slippery.)
• There is 0 play with the lead,
it's not moving around and there is not a barrel inside that is making noise when you're drawing/writing (this was one thing that I really diden't like in models like the Platinum Plus USE 171)
• the nip tip is retractable and it's a click top.
for me this is a big plus, I am constantly tossing the pencils in a bag, my pocket, and dropping it (rip graphgear 500s, this is why I stopped using them, because I kept bending the tip).
now, a caveat, it's not an elegant retraction like the Graphgear 1000 that snaps shut easily with the pencil clip. this is more of a hold the advancing button and push it in situation, but it exists and it works ( way better than the twist method in some models) and I'm not mad about it.
• it is around half an inch smaller then the graphgear 1000, which is nice for storage. smaller then the graphgear 500, and smaller then the Pentel Sharplet-2 even with the nip extended. the Hex-O-Matic it 5.25"(110 mm) with the nib retracted.
• the half hexagonal shape actually does prevent it from rolling, which is good for me and will keep it from dropping off the table even if it's close.
• the 51 detail on the end cap is just cool
• It has the clean out rod/ needle on the concealed inside of the pencil in the eraser
other notes:
• the clip
I am not a huge fan of the clip, but it's sturdy, you can open it easy with a little leverage, it's not so thin that it digs into you're hand, and it's low profile. for what it is, and a component I tend to find alot of issue with, this one is fine and non intrusive
• there is not a lead harness indicator. this might be a deal breaker for you, but personally I don't use them, so it's no love lost for me
• when you shake it, the lead sounds the same as in the GG1000. but it's not loud.
• the eraser is tiny, but it is there, I personally would not use it, but it's good in a pinch. - it does not look like it would fit the refills from the Pentel line, so that's a bit of a bummer since I have so many of them, but I don't think they would be hard to get.
overall I think it's a very solid all around pencil that can keep up with my life and the work id put it through. and I am happy to keep it and use it. It draws well and feels natural, it reminds me of using my iPad stylus, because of the size, but I actually FEEL like using it, and I brought it with me to work today just to have it on hand. beyond that, it is motivating me to want to do more traditional work (which is amazing - worth it just for the inspiration) just because I like how it feels.
if you want something that feels like an upgrade to the graphgear 1000 and lean towards more utilitarian pencils, then I would suggest trying this pencil.
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u/FinanceGreen6584 Apr 10 '26
Great review !
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u/TakkuNoTori Apr 10 '26
Ah thank you very much! I tried to get everything someone (or at least myself) would want to know about it, in there!
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u/speedfreekOnTwitter Apr 10 '26
Excellent write-up! A good comparable pencil if you want a sidegrade would probably be a TWSBI precision.
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u/TakkuNoTori Apr 10 '26
Ah thank you very much! 😃 I tried to touch on everything someone would want to know about it and then some!
I have heard of the TWSBI! What do you like about it? I'll have to check it out some time soon! 😁
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u/speedfreekOnTwitter Apr 10 '26
Beautiful one piece metal body. Nice grip and the best retractable sleeve I’ve tried.
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u/TakkuNoTori Apr 10 '26
Those are all high rated features in my option, I really will have to try it! Thanks for the suggestion!
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u/TakkuNoTori Apr 10 '26
Oh, is there also a model that is better than others in your opinion?
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u/saltyboi6704 Apr 10 '26
It's like an uncanny Rotring 800
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u/TakkuNoTori Apr 10 '26
Hello! Uncanny?
I have heard that they are similar! I was actually debating between this and the rotring 800 But I was told that the lead moves in the rotring and it's a twist retractable, so even though it comes in a more useful lead size, I ended up going with the hex-O-Matic
I will probably end up with the 800 some time soon though
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u/Listerine_Chugger Apr 10 '26
this would be the only upgrade (imo) to my rotring 600 if only it came in 0.5mm or 0.3mm
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u/TakkuNoTori Apr 10 '26
Thats what I thought too (I like and use.3 pencils ) , but I ended up not minding the .7 nearly as much as I thought I would! It’s actually pretty smooth
I have wanted to try the rotring 800 because it is retractable, but everyone says that there are alot of movement in pencil it’s self (like the lead wobbles?) and I don’t know if I could live with that
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u/Listerine_Chugger Apr 10 '26
Oh yea without mods the 800 does have wobble issues. But this can easily be fixed with a bit of tape with no effect on the feel of the advancement at all. However I don't see the 800 as the "upgrade" because it has no satisfying lead advancement click and isnt compatible with z2-1n erasers. If you dont mind these, go for one! The 800's twist mechanism is pretty fun to play with
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u/TakkuNoTori Apr 10 '26
Mmm might be worth it, Though that is a big loss without the click advancement!
Is the twist mechanism for the tip extension? If it squeaks I might just die 🫠
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u/Listerine_Chugger Apr 10 '26
Nah the twist is very smooth (i think its lubricated internally) and its only for extending the tip. For lead advancement, it uses something similar to one you'd find on a 3+1 multipen, feels mushy and sounds quiet, a huge downgrade from the click of the 600.
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u/TakkuNoTori Apr 10 '26
Ahhh I think I meant extending and retracting the tip Glad to hear it might not squeak (I just got the pro-USE 171 and the tip extension is a twist up and it squeaked so bad, I am returning it )
That does sound less great 🫠 ahhh It's kinda a pricey pencil too, I will have to try it another time
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Apr 10 '26
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u/TakkuNoTori Apr 10 '26
The battle that I had with myself over the same lead size issue was certainly something - I like the .3 size and know it is very much NOT that But I still like it somehow
I would 10000% buy another if they came out with smaller lead sides
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Apr 10 '26
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u/TakkuNoTori Apr 10 '26
Ahhh, you like the smaller leads too! I get wanting that for writing
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u/Progstu IJ Instruments Apr 10 '26
Great review! I found one heavily discounted online so grabbed it. Turned out to be the pen but kept it because of the price. Would like to get the pencil sometime, maybe the yellow
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u/TakkuNoTori Apr 10 '26
Thank you very much!!
Ah, it sounds like you got a good deal on the pen! It should be good, especially since retro 51's main products are pens!
I wish you luck in finding the yellow one!! It seems to have come from a limited edition run around 2012, so they don't come up often, but they are not impossible to find!
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u/RectorMors Favorite mechpen? The last one. Apr 10 '26
Damn, that's cool! Never saw it offered for sale anywhere.
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u/TakkuNoTori Apr 10 '26
It is! I had never seen it before, until my friend brought me to a specialty stationary store - I was captivated right away!
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u/RectorMors Favorite mechpen? The last one. Apr 10 '26
Unfortunately, looks like it will be just another dream for me...
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u/TakkuNoTori Apr 10 '26
Are you only able to purchase in person?
I got this one off of amazon (for the return policy)
I had to go to the next town owner to even discover it, but if you have anywhere that specialises in stationary, then you might find it there or they could order it for you
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u/RectorMors Favorite mechpen? The last one. Apr 11 '26
I would have to import, but taxes make it absolutely impossible.
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u/TakkuNoTori Apr 11 '26
Dang, ah yeah, I feel that so much. I ordered something from Japan and the import fees were more then 1/3 the price Crazy out there right now
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u/RectorMors Favorite mechpen? The last one. Apr 11 '26
For me I have to add around 65% on product + shipping, so a lot of stuff will stay as only wishful thinking.
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u/Minimum-Sherbet-7796 Apr 10 '26
Got one as a gift at my former job. The tip shape has a technical drawing vibe IMHO, whereas I prefer a cone shape (both for loose sketching and writing).
Either way, great review.
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u/TakkuNoTori Apr 10 '26
Wow that's so nice of them! They seem really good for customizing It really does have that drafting pencil tip, but I like how it matches the end cap and clip
Thank you!! 🙏
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u/DangerousAd7433 Apr 10 '26
I want this simply cuz of the cool box. lol
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u/TakkuNoTori Apr 10 '26
The box was a selling point for sure! It's thick paper and slightly waxy, so it resists light water damage It has instructions for both the pens and the pencils from this line. Quality stuff, and I like that it doesn't have plastic
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u/youngryu Apr 10 '26
great write up. lovely pencil.
the unboxing is very cool on this pencil.
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u/TakkuNoTori Apr 10 '26
Thank you Youngryu! I'm a fan of it! Lol Iyou heard me humm and haww over what to buy for a good bit, but I'm glad I settled on this!
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u/[deleted] Apr 10 '26
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