It's a lovely thing to hold and use. EXCEPT if you drop it! As much as the body is made of metal and feels very strong, the internals are made of plastic. If you drop it on its point, which is how it's balanced so you will. Then the plastic mechanism snaps inside and the pencil no longer locks, which makes it utterly useless and it's not easy to open up or repair. So I now have $60 worth of junk. I've been using a Pentel Graph Gear for 10 years before I got this. I dropped it hundreds of times and it still works fine. It cost $12.25. Get one of those.

WILL NOT ADVANCE LEAD! Disassembled to ensure there was no lead jam, found no jam, ran a clean out rod thru the tube just to make sure, reassembled and still will not advance lead. Rotring minimum repair charge is $43 plus shipping - VERY DISAPPOINTED!UPDATE: My Rotring 800 0.7 mm black mechanical pencil was years out of warranty. Called the Rotring Service Center (800) 237-8736, followed their email instructions and they sent a new replacement free of charge and paid for shipping both ways! Changed my rating to 5 stars.

Pros+Retractable tip works well and is satisfying+High quality, premium feel, doesn't feel like it'll break anytime soon.+Looks amazing, gold accents pair very nicely with the matte black finishCons-The button feels a bit weird. When you press down, for the first few millimeters, it will not advance the lead. Instead, if will push out the tip a little bit more. Only after that does it advance the lead. It also takes a bit of force to advance it. Not the most satisfying click, but it's not a deal breaker for me.-The tip has a noticeable play at times. When you take it off the paper and put it back on, at certain angles the metal of the tip and the metal of the grip/housing can hit each other and there is a clicking sound. The play in the tip is barely ... MorePros+Retractable tip works well and is satisfying+High quality, premium feel, doesn't feel like it'll break anytime soon.+Looks amazing, gold accents pair very nicely with the matte black finishCons-The button feels a bit weird. When you press down, for the first few millimeters, it will not advance the lead. Instead, if will push out the tip a little bit more. Only after that does it advance the lead. It also takes a bit of force to advance it. Not the most satisfying click, but it's not a deal breaker for me.-The tip has a noticeable play at times. When you take it off the paper and put it back on, at certain angles the metal of the tip and the metal of the grip/housing can hit each other and there is a clicking sound. The play in the tip is barely noticeable and very little. Doesn't really affect writing, but keep that in mind if you want something with a really solid tip (rotring 600 comes to mind).-This may be a personal issue but the hard hexagonal edges of the body make my hand uncomfortable. When I write with the pencil, the body sits just above my thumb. However, because of its hard edges, it "grinds" on my skin and it makes it uncomfortable. It's a very personal thing. The rotring rapid pro, for example, gives the perfect feel for me.Notes:>I haven't really experienced lead breakage issues, and I've had it for about a month now. I read online that a potential cause of this is due to the unscrewed internal mechanism. I checked with mine and the tip was fully secure. I couldn't even unscrew it, even when i tried to. Take that as you will.>The price is quite high for something whose only benefit above a regular mechanical pencil is a retracting tip. If you don't actively carry it in your pocket or put it in a situation where the tip is likely to be bent, get a rotring 600. I carry it in my pencil case all day and the tip is fine. The rotring 800 is not really worth the price, but still a solid mechanical pencil, should you decide to buy it.

What is there to say, Rotring pencils are tremendous, whatever level of their pencil range you buy, and I have almost all of them. Still as someone once said, nothing exceeds but excess…Okay, the 800. It’s the build quality. When you turn the knurled top it just slides and clicks into place. No fuss, no slop in the mechanism, just a joy to experience.No, they are not paying me to wax lyrical about this pencil. I have over a hundred mechanical pencils and try to cycle through them all a week at a time but at the end of the day you do gravitate to a few, and, despite some interesting and novel engineering in some other manufacturer’s offerings the full metal Rotrings figure large.Oh yes, I like the weight of the pencil as well.One tiny gripe is the sharp edge on ... MoreWhat is there to say, Rotring pencils are tremendous, whatever level of their pencil range you buy, and I have almost all of them. Still as someone once said, nothing exceeds but excess…Okay, the 800. It’s the build quality. When you turn the knurled top it just slides and clicks into place. No fuss, no slop in the mechanism, just a joy to experience.No, they are not paying me to wax lyrical about this pencil. I have over a hundred mechanical pencils and try to cycle through them all a week at a time but at the end of the day you do gravitate to a few, and, despite some interesting and novel engineering in some other manufacturer’s offerings the full metal Rotrings figure large.Oh yes, I like the weight of the pencil as well.One tiny gripe is the sharp edge on the barrell above the knurl, the 600 and the Rapid pro have a slightly smoother contour.

Throughout most of my life I've used wooden pencils and cheap mechanicals, and because of that I've always hated pencils. Really, really, really hated them.Anyway, my use of gel pens and erasable ink pens was stomped on when I started doing things like math and drawing schematics where a pen was simply not viable, so I started looking for a good pencil. I started using a Zebra and I was okay with it, not especially bad but not amazing either. I ended up getting endlessly annoyed with the hollow, cheap feel of it and its horrible plastic, and I started looking around again.I found the Rotring 800 and decided to splurge a little, not expecting much. So I got it, came to my door just in time for me to start on a few pages worth of equations, and I was happy to put ... MoreThroughout most of my life I've used wooden pencils and cheap mechanicals, and because of that I've always hated pencils. Really, really, really hated them.Anyway, my use of gel pens and erasable ink pens was stomped on when I started doing things like math and drawing schematics where a pen was simply not viable, so I started looking for a good pencil. I started using a Zebra and I was okay with it, not especially bad but not amazing either. I ended up getting endlessly annoyed with the hollow, cheap feel of it and its horrible plastic, and I started looking around again.I found the Rotring 800 and decided to splurge a little, not expecting much. So I got it, came to my door just in time for me to start on a few pages worth of equations, and I was happy to put the Zebra down and use something else. I opened up the package, opened the 800's box, reached in, and Jesus popped out.I'm not sure if my articulation is doing this justice, but I picked it up and I had to question whether I was holding a pencil or a scalpel. It's incredibly solid, extremely well weighted, it radiates quality and precision like a chunk of plutonium radiates death.I began to write with it and found that I wasn't getting annoyed by any piece of it, not a single iota proved cumbersome or irritating. That was especially amazing, since I have a history of naturally nitpicking every single little particle and wave out of any tool I use.Overall, I am extremely happy to own this pencil, and I wouldn't trade it for any other writing utensil. That does not, however, mean that it is perfect.Over time I noticed a couple things about it, subtle things. The biggest concern I suppose is the tiny eraser. Drafting pencils are known for this, but I'm just not happy that the eraser is so small and therefore has such a short lifetime. It does seem special though, since instead of just a rubber cylinder the eraser piece is actually attached to a metal mount. The refills are consistently sold out here on JetPens, and I was told by Rotring customer support that I had to contact them directly to order more. I guess that makes it feel even more special.The extending piece on the end has a tiny bit of play. I've heard people complain about it endlessly, and I've seen them stick washers and spacers in the grip to try and stabilize it, but I have no idea what they're going on about. It has play, yes, but it's so minute that you only really notice it if you're hunched over with your face an inch away from the pencil wiggling it back and forth for a good 15 minutes, even then it's so tiny it doesn't matter.Lastly, I haven't had any competing experience, but I've seen from pictures and heard from reviews that the 800's knurling is less defined than on some of the other pens and pencils that Rotring makes. That means it's less grippy than it could be on the twisting cuff and, well, the grip.Some things that I don't count as cons really but are worth mentioning are;The 800, unlike the 600 (And many others), doesn't have a lead hardness indicator. I don't have a roll of them, just the one, so it doesn't really matter to me. I just know that I use 3B, and that's just what I use. I can see how this would be a problem if you keep a selection of lead grades in your pencils though, it would make it hard to choose the right one out of a set of identical 800s.This clip is really tough. Really, really, really strong and stubborn. I've head people moan about it, and I can say that I'm not really a fan of having to put work into sliding it onto my reinforced (Meaning thick) pocket lining, but the fact that this will absolutely not, under any circumstances, fall out, makes it worthwhile.I recently sent mine in to get repaired after bending the shaft and they replaced it with a new one, so I'm not sure about now, but on my old one I played with it a lot, and noticed something. When I would extend and retract the shaft repeatedly for a minute or so, it would start to lock up. This means that the 'click' when you extend it became really hard and it almost felt like you were breaking something when you moved it. The extending clock would make me cringe a little bit, but then it almost seemed like it was stuck there, and if you applied enough pressure it would snap and retract. I let it sit for a bit and it was fine again. This was really bazaar, but the thing is that it only happens if you twisting it in and out constantly for a period of time, so I can't count it against the pencil since it's not made for that.The threading on the grip is really rough and squeaky. Removing it and putting it back on was a bit like nails on a chalkboard. I put some silicon lubricant on it (The type that's thin and actually gets rubbed into the metal, so it isn't oily, just smooth.) and now it's buttery smooth, though.The extending piece is a little bit off-center. You'll notice when you retract the shaft, if you look in the end, it deviates a bit to one side. This is unnoticeable when it is extended, though, so it's inconsequential.SUMMARY:Overall, this pencil is kind of a ludicrous piece. It's precise, it's clean, it looks and feels amazing, but there are a few tiny things that you probably won't notice, while on the other hand some people do (Like the play in the shaft and the tiny eraser.). It's easily compared to a surgical instrument in terms of build. It isn't an all-around perfect solution though. Its lack of a lead hardness indicator makes it a bad choice for a roll of pencils with various grades, as many artists have, and the minuscule play in the nib could actually prove troublesome for some people, depending on application.The way I see it, the 800 and the 600 are two alternates of the same pencil. The 800 if if you're only going to have the one, you're going to carry it in your pocket or do something else that could bend the shaft if it weren't retractable, or you want the best general-use mechanical pencil. The 600 is if it's going to live in an art case or a roll where you can sacrifice the protection of the shaft for the absolute solidity, if you need a set of pencils with differing lead hardnesses (hardnessesessezeseez...es), or want the amazing build quality and precision but don't want to buy the most expensive one.So it isn't a pencil for every purpose, but if it suits your needs than it's the best pencil you can buy.

The rotring line of drafting pencils have always been a favorite of many due to their good looks and great quality. Though now under new management the quality of the rotring products has been upheld. The rotring 800 as currently produced is still a beautifully engineered, high quality pencil that is a pleasure to write with and lovely to behold. With the 800, rotring's premier drafting pencil, they have tackled the age old problem of how to carry a drafting pencil with it's 4mm lead sleeve, in a shirt pocket without stabbing oneself in an elegant fashion. The tip of the 800 hides inside the bottom of the pencil until needed. Then, with a twist of the top of the pencil, the tip is reviled and locked in place under spring tension. When finished a simple twist in the ... MoreThe rotring line of drafting pencils have always been a favorite of many due to their good looks and great quality. Though now under new management the quality of the rotring products has been upheld. The rotring 800 as currently produced is still a beautifully engineered, high quality pencil that is a pleasure to write with and lovely to behold. With the 800, rotring's premier drafting pencil, they have tackled the age old problem of how to carry a drafting pencil with it's 4mm lead sleeve, in a shirt pocket without stabbing oneself in an elegant fashion. The tip of the 800 hides inside the bottom of the pencil until needed. Then, with a twist of the top of the pencil, the tip is reviled and locked in place under spring tension. When finished a simple twist in the opposite direction once again sends the tip safely into hiding.The 800 is almost made entirely of brass with select parts, like the lead sleeve and pocket clip, being made of steel with some internal parts being made of space age plastic, for strength and flexibility. This makes the 800 a heavyweight among drafting pencils yet because of it being well balanced it does not fell heavy while feeling solid. There is no need to push the 800 across the paper, simply guide it. The 800 is a pleasure to use due to it's engineering. Due to it's elegant design and construction it is also a pleasure to look at.The MSRP of the 800 makes it a little pricey, but as they say, you get what you pay for. But in the case of the 800, and most other rotring drafting pencils, you get a little more.

Very good pencil overall. Some very small and nitpicky issues that I will explain:Pros:- Full metal body. Extremely sleek and modern.- Nice weight and balance- Retractable tip works very well- Love the look of this pencil. Gold accents against the matte black looks fantastic.Cons:- button feels very mushy and sticky. Compared to something like the nice tactile button of the Rotring 600 (or even a uni kuru toga roulette), it doesn't feel very nice. After depressing the button, the retractable tip has to come out a bit more, meaning that there's no feedback until the tip is fully extended. It's only after that when the button is clicked. This problem is universal with all retractable tip pencils, though, so I can't really blame the pencil for this.- Very ... MoreVery good pencil overall. Some very small and nitpicky issues that I will explain:Pros:- Full metal body. Extremely sleek and modern.- Nice weight and balance- Retractable tip works very well- Love the look of this pencil. Gold accents against the matte black looks fantastic.Cons:- button feels very mushy and sticky. Compared to something like the nice tactile button of the Rotring 600 (or even a uni kuru toga roulette), it doesn't feel very nice. After depressing the button, the retractable tip has to come out a bit more, meaning that there's no feedback until the tip is fully extended. It's only after that when the button is clicked. This problem is universal with all retractable tip pencils, though, so I can't really blame the pencil for this.- Very little amount of play in the tip. Not as solid as something as the rotring 600. Impossible to notice unless you try very hard to move it. Not an issue when writing or doing drafting work (even when drawing something like a very small circle). This isn't a problem at all for me (and for most people, I assume), but for something of this price I think rotring could have done a better job.Final thoughts:- Good pencil overall, but it's very expensive too. Unless you absolutely need the retractable tip and you are willing to overlook some its (albeit small) flaws, I recommend something else. Other than the retractable tip, the rotring 600 is pretty much identical to this pencil and doesn't include the flaws that comes with the tip. It's also significantly cheaper.

I'll start by addressing the two primary concerns people have with the 800.The first is potential lead breakage. I purposely got the 0.7 mm variant as a stop gap to see if a thicker lead would not result in breakage, and so far that is not the case. No breakage here.The second gripe people have is in the squishy nature of the lead advancement mechanism and the motion of the lead sleeve itself when you click. This issue DOES exist, but you have to decide if that matters for you.At the end of the day, the 800 has almost exactly the same writing experience as the 600, but with the convenience of the retraction. Same length, same weight, same knurling. Precision-focused professionals may detect some play in the lead sleeve, but for daily writing it is barely ... MoreI'll start by addressing the two primary concerns people have with the 800.The first is potential lead breakage. I purposely got the 0.7 mm variant as a stop gap to see if a thicker lead would not result in breakage, and so far that is not the case. No breakage here.The second gripe people have is in the squishy nature of the lead advancement mechanism and the motion of the lead sleeve itself when you click. This issue DOES exist, but you have to decide if that matters for you.At the end of the day, the 800 has almost exactly the same writing experience as the 600, but with the convenience of the retraction. Same length, same weight, same knurling. Precision-focused professionals may detect some play in the lead sleeve, but for daily writing it is barely noticeable. The 600 is a fabulous pencil, and the 800 nearly matches it, if not for some minor gripes.You basically have to decide if the retraction is worth another 20 dollars. If you just want a solid writing piece and portability is not a concern for you, go with the 600. If you need to be able to take your pencil on the go, the 800 is a fine variation.

When I heard about all the praise the Rotring 600 drafting pencil was and still is receiving, I decided I had to give it a try. For the time I had it, the 600 proved a beautiful and hardy utensil that I really had no issues with. I lost that one, and over a year later, I tried the Rotring 500. I was blown away by how affordable yet sturdy it is. I lost my 500 as well, and after a short time and lots of consideration, I decided I'd get the most expensive and fancy variant of the pencil: The gorgeous Rotring 800! Christmas time was around the corner, so I figured I might as well be a little more extravagant with my spending.I hate to say it, but I have mixed feelings about this thing. Aesthetically, it's really a marvel. It feels weighty and powerful in your hand. ... MoreWhen I heard about all the praise the Rotring 600 drafting pencil was and still is receiving, I decided I had to give it a try. For the time I had it, the 600 proved a beautiful and hardy utensil that I really had no issues with. I lost that one, and over a year later, I tried the Rotring 500. I was blown away by how affordable yet sturdy it is. I lost my 500 as well, and after a short time and lots of consideration, I decided I'd get the most expensive and fancy variant of the pencil: The gorgeous Rotring 800! Christmas time was around the corner, so I figured I might as well be a little more extravagant with my spending.I hate to say it, but I have mixed feelings about this thing. Aesthetically, it's really a marvel. It feels weighty and powerful in your hand. The silver version has a beautiful gleam on the sides of its hexagonal surface. But I didn't buy the tool just because it looks nice. The primary difference between the 800 and 600 is the retractable tip, as you probably know already, and I can see the reason why this is a desirable feature. I played with it a bit, rotating the mechanism back and forth. It's got a satisfying click, just like the button to extend the lead has.Now, I use this thing for drawing, and I tend to press pretty hard to make dark, heavy lines. I have experienced several instances where I would feel the lead snap deeper inside the body of the pencil, making the lead wobble and eventually slide out the end, wasting a little less than an inch of lead. This is immensely frustrating to me. On top of that, the front section of the pencil has threading so that you can remove the knurled grip from the body of the pencil, and after doing this only a couple of times, the threading has become so loose that it spins and comes off without me having to apply hardly any pressure. The thing spins around in my hand and I worry it will fall apart.I ended up finding my 500 again and now have both pencils. Whenever I open my pencil case I find myself reaching for the 500 almost every time. I want to love this pencil, but it proved faulty in no time. I know that people will have different experiences, but I have gotten far more mileage out of an inexpensive pencil than an expensive pencil. If you want to get a truly high quality mechanical pencil, buy either the 500, the 600, or a pencil from a different company altogether. This feels like a downgrade. I intend to return it as soon as possible.

A high quality item for

A high quality item for a very premium experience. Not too heavy but has a nice weight. The lead is smooth and there is virtually no play in the guide tube. The retracting mechanism is satisfying to fiddle with throughout the day and it hasn't broken yet which is a feat in and of itself. The length of the pencil when retracted is the perfect fit for sticking in a shirt pocket. The bottom of the eraser has a needle for blockages. So many great features.My only qualms are that the eraser is comically small, almost more for aesthetics than function and it doesn't come with replacements and that the graphite that it ships with is not the smoothest I've used. Very minor issue for anyone who has their own preferred graphite at home.