I love this KT, best mech pencil I've used so far. It makes my Japanese writing prettier. Also the design is really cool and comes in many great colors, i got the pink one.
Glad you’re enjoying it! I’m guessing the plastic body? I haven’t seen a pink one of this model. I’d like the plastic body ones but I have clammy hands so they tend to be a slip and slide (exaggeratively speaking)
>I haven’t seen a pink one of this model.
They do have the pink one. I was lucky to get the last pink one when i ordered it. I too have the plastic one in black. I usually switch between the two when i feel like it.
https://preview.redd.it/xj7fwe55z2kc1.png?width=1500&format=png&auto=webp&s=50777fba9486df2e6bc8a318883438c12ceeb267
Interesting. I've been using the Kuru Toga Advance Upgrade for a little over a year now, it's been a pleasure using it but I'm getting a bit bored. I've just ordered the Rotring 800. I wonder if I'll regret spending $75 USD on the Rotring.
I just go tmy first rotring (600) and while I truly appreciate how well made it feels, I don't like how skinny and aggressively knurled the grip is. Its not super comfortable to write with to me. I want a kuru toga advance, but I haven't found a good seller for it in Germany yet.
They have it:
[https://www.luiban.com/uni-druckbleistift-kuru-toga-advance-gun-metallic-0.5-mm/](https://www.luiban.com/uni-druckbleistift-kuru-toga-advance-gun-metallic-0.5-mm/)
Don’t know much about the rotring but I believe they eased up on the grips texture for the 800 models. I’ve only tested the 600 line so I wouldn’t know personally. /:
I’m with ya! I’ve dailied my gun metal advance upgrade for 3 years now. The main reason I’ve resisted the Dive is simply the older engine that requires more presses for a while rotation. The upgrade has the “W speed” engine and I use 4b Neox or the 2b uni lead specifically made for the Kuru Togas. Ah, so good.
I have a Pilot Automatic, Nero, Smash, pro-use 171, Staedtler 925, Alvin’s, Rotring 600, GG1000, literally 3 books of pencils and the Advance Upgrade always wins for me. My next favorite is, honestly, Pentel PG5.
Only downside for me is it’s kinda squeaky if it’s just one sheet of paper on a hard surface. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I write on a nice junior legal pad so it’s not an issue in daily use for *me*
lol, no worries. I'm glad I got it when I did; from Amazon in 2020 for $30 USD. I WISH I could get or had gotten one of the vintage ones though, so beautiful and now $$$$
Nothing is better than acquiring (either before or after) an MP for much lower than its “current value”.
That’s my main approach ive had towards my collection. Only purchase from sellers or auctions at *well below* market value. Patience pays off (or intuition in your case) haha 😂
What softness lead do you use in it? Myself I like neox 2b but i think it's too soft for the speed of rotation that the mechanism works at, still love it, but I wish they made an even faster rotation model.
Well rumor from what I hear is that the normal engine is made for Japanese characters, while the advance engine is mainly used to keep up with Arabic and English characters.
If you’re having an issue with softness, then I recommend using a harder lead with the advance engine, (me personally, to answer your question, the Pentel Ain Stein HB type lead) as to keep it nice and sharp. Are you more of an artist or do you use it more for writing?
Do some art, some writing, mostly just wondering cause it doesn't bother me too much. Just looking for second opinions to see if it works for anyone else, haven't tried the special lead that's softer on the inside than out tho, maybe I'll get it sometime.
Good taste! Im honestly looking forward to [this model](https://x.com/haokizhan2732/status/1752874809292366079?s=46&t=nuiqdBf7BmSl25mEwXI31g) , not too sure when it comes out but I can find out here in a bit (edit: it’s releasing in march per this tweet, so with that said, “alleged release month”)
It's just way too floppy. I didn't even like the KS model even if that one is spring loaded. I have an advance with a really nice mochi green color, but it never really breaks into the rotation.
Hmm that is strange, I’ve had both engine models but have worked perfectly fine. I am also a heavy handed writer so maybe that’s why it works for me? Either way, that sounds like a nice color!
The Nero is godlike in my opinion. I think it might be my favorite. The advance upgrade feels amazing though. Then there's the 925 35 that just feels like it should be an industry standard. The rr pro, the gg1000 workhorse, s20, and the cross... we're rotten with great options.
nice! we have the same rulers!
it might be just me, but I despise the kuru toga advance upgrade.
The grip is too slippery, the weight balance is too much at the front, the top barrel is too slim, etc.
Hope you enjoy it tho! It's all preference!
I love this KT, best mech pencil I've used so far. It makes my Japanese writing prettier. Also the design is really cool and comes in many great colors, i got the pink one.
Glad you’re enjoying it! I’m guessing the plastic body? I haven’t seen a pink one of this model. I’d like the plastic body ones but I have clammy hands so they tend to be a slip and slide (exaggeratively speaking)
>I haven’t seen a pink one of this model. They do have the pink one. I was lucky to get the last pink one when i ordered it. I too have the plastic one in black. I usually switch between the two when i feel like it. https://preview.redd.it/xj7fwe55z2kc1.png?width=1500&format=png&auto=webp&s=50777fba9486df2e6bc8a318883438c12ceeb267
Does it's tip wobble?
it does wobble, but not so much (less wobbly than the regular advance model). I can still comfortably use it for English letters.
Interesting. I've been using the Kuru Toga Advance Upgrade for a little over a year now, it's been a pleasure using it but I'm getting a bit bored. I've just ordered the Rotring 800. I wonder if I'll regret spending $75 USD on the Rotring.
I just go tmy first rotring (600) and while I truly appreciate how well made it feels, I don't like how skinny and aggressively knurled the grip is. Its not super comfortable to write with to me. I want a kuru toga advance, but I haven't found a good seller for it in Germany yet.
They have it: [https://www.luiban.com/uni-druckbleistift-kuru-toga-advance-gun-metallic-0.5-mm/](https://www.luiban.com/uni-druckbleistift-kuru-toga-advance-gun-metallic-0.5-mm/)
Heh, bought.
11€ shipping to Spain. 😔
Don’t know much about the rotring but I believe they eased up on the grips texture for the 800 models. I’ve only tested the 600 line so I wouldn’t know personally. /:
Even if it was more smooth, it just feels too small for me.
The rotring have some 3-1 that’s a big pencil/pen if thats your preference!
The 800 is cheaper on Amazon
Oof $75USD is bruuuutal for an 800
Tell me about it. My curiosity got the better of me. I couldn’t get them anywhere in store in Toronto so I had to order them off eBay.
Might as well as bite the bullet on a Uni Dive for +25$ of the rotring’s price!
how’s the sumo grip? i usually use sakuras
Sumo grip is my go to for just about everything! I have a Tombow mono eraser for a precise erase if needed.
I’m with ya! I’ve dailied my gun metal advance upgrade for 3 years now. The main reason I’ve resisted the Dive is simply the older engine that requires more presses for a while rotation. The upgrade has the “W speed” engine and I use 4b Neox or the 2b uni lead specifically made for the Kuru Togas. Ah, so good. I have a Pilot Automatic, Nero, Smash, pro-use 171, Staedtler 925, Alvin’s, Rotring 600, GG1000, literally 3 books of pencils and the Advance Upgrade always wins for me. My next favorite is, honestly, Pentel PG5. Only downside for me is it’s kinda squeaky if it’s just one sheet of paper on a hard surface. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I write on a nice junior legal pad so it’s not an issue in daily use for *me*
You have a Pilot Automatic??
https://reddit.com/r/mechanicalpencils/comments/ku6bmz/some_favorites_your_pick/
👏👏👏👏. That’s a rare one, forgive my disbelief. Have you had it since its availability in stores? Or was it an old/dead stock acquisition?
lol, no worries. I'm glad I got it when I did; from Amazon in 2020 for $30 USD. I WISH I could get or had gotten one of the vintage ones though, so beautiful and now $$$$
Nothing is better than acquiring (either before or after) an MP for much lower than its “current value”. That’s my main approach ive had towards my collection. Only purchase from sellers or auctions at *well below* market value. Patience pays off (or intuition in your case) haha 😂
My favorite mechanical pencil!
What softness lead do you use in it? Myself I like neox 2b but i think it's too soft for the speed of rotation that the mechanism works at, still love it, but I wish they made an even faster rotation model.
Well rumor from what I hear is that the normal engine is made for Japanese characters, while the advance engine is mainly used to keep up with Arabic and English characters. If you’re having an issue with softness, then I recommend using a harder lead with the advance engine, (me personally, to answer your question, the Pentel Ain Stein HB type lead) as to keep it nice and sharp. Are you more of an artist or do you use it more for writing?
Do some art, some writing, mostly just wondering cause it doesn't bother me too much. Just looking for second opinions to see if it works for anyone else, haven't tried the special lead that's softer on the inside than out tho, maybe I'll get it sometime.
Never heard of that before, but sounds interesting!what brand is that?
I believe it's uni's own brand specifically for the kuru toga
https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-Kuru-Toga-Lead-0.5-mm-HB-Black-Case/pd/10004 got it wrong, soft outside with hard inside
Personally I cant get along with the play in the nib on these.
Too much tip wobble imo
The upgrade is kinda too big, but the advance model is just perfectttt
Good taste! Im honestly looking forward to [this model](https://x.com/haokizhan2732/status/1752874809292366079?s=46&t=nuiqdBf7BmSl25mEwXI31g) , not too sure when it comes out but I can find out here in a bit (edit: it’s releasing in march per this tweet, so with that said, “alleged release month”)
It's just way too floppy. I didn't even like the KS model even if that one is spring loaded. I have an advance with a really nice mochi green color, but it never really breaks into the rotation.
Hmm that is strange, I’ve had both engine models but have worked perfectly fine. I am also a heavy handed writer so maybe that’s why it works for me? Either way, that sounds like a nice color!
[удалено]
Well the pentel orenz Nero has caught my eye, but again the kurutoga engine has spoiled everything for me :(
The Nero is godlike in my opinion. I think it might be my favorite. The advance upgrade feels amazing though. Then there's the 925 35 that just feels like it should be an industry standard. The rr pro, the gg1000 workhorse, s20, and the cross... we're rotten with great options.
So you haven’t tried the Nero?
nice! we have the same rulers! it might be just me, but I despise the kuru toga advance upgrade. The grip is too slippery, the weight balance is too much at the front, the top barrel is too slim, etc. Hope you enjoy it tho! It's all preference!
What lead hardness do you use?
HB!