I’m a pretty easy-going fellow, I don’t obsess about things and I’m quite modest…  Just ask my wife.  All things considered, I do have some standards when it comes to writing instruments however.  For example, if you are looking for a cheap, unpretentious pen, you can do no wrong with a ubiquitous Mont Blanc Meisterstück.

Whenever I look for fine writing instruments, I prefer to buy pens and pencils made in either Germany or Japan.  The attention to detail and excellent manufacturing mechanisms in place in those two countries mean that you get a superior product every time.  When you buy a pencil from a German company, manufactured in Japan, it’s pretty much guaranteed that writing bliss is only moments away:  the Staedtler Integrity 9505 mechanical pencil is a case in point.

Now Dave on his blog, Dave’s Mechanical Pencils, did not give the Staedtler high marks, much in part because he had a breakage factor.  He did however write up a very thorough review, so I’m not going to elaborate on this pencil by doing my own.  But, I will mention that during my own testing I had very few breakage issues, less so than with other pencils, so I guess it all depends upon how you prefer to write.  My touch is light as a feather.  Until next time my friends…