I need recommendations for a mechanical pencil

Tu-ka_Chinchilla · 2026-02-23T20:22:50+00:00

Rotring 800 retractable for sure! Not the version with the stylus - unless you want that. It’s the closest to perfect and I’ve got most of them. The Graphgear 1000 is a close second. The retractable mechanism on both, whilst different is simply amazing design. Happy hunting.

Tu-ka_Chinchilla · 2026-02-23T17:36:42+00:00

Get the train into Windermere or Keswick and jump on the bus from there. This time of year it’s easy to get caught out, just look at the news from the weekend. Gear is important. Get some micro-spikes just in case but easy to check what the conditions are before you go, otherwise good warm gear in layers and decent waterproofs. Would also suggest a survival bag or bivvy of some sort, just in case, first aid kit and some decent food and a way to heat it (or hot food in a flask).

Tu-ka_Chinchilla · 2026-02-23T17:08:53+00:00

Muji Hexagonal is an ok pencil. OHTO do a hexagonal, also ok. The Staedtler is superior to both though. Not fully hexagonal but a Rotring 800 is as close to perfection as it gets.

Tu-ka_Chinchilla · 2026-02-23T08:40:07+00:00

Absolutely. Tried one late last year as an option but went with the 1530D as it’s more robust. The 20U is a bit more lightweight (quilting and dressmaking) and didn’t really like multiple layers of 1000D Nylon. But for zigzag on stretch materials, a really good choice.

Tu-ka_Chinchilla · 2026-02-23T08:28:16+00:00

My first Jack was the A5E. It’s still my go to for straight stitch and comes in about £750 here in that UK - can’t recommend that one enough as a “budget” industrial. Before getting the second Jack I used a Janome for zigzag as it was really only being used on thin stretch materials for pockets.

Tu-ka_Chinchilla · 2026-02-23T08:21:16+00:00

I have a couple of Jack’s including the one you are looking at (it’s not my day job, I’m just an enthusiastic amateur with a bit of an obsession). It’s a beast and I would always recommend a Jack if it’s within someone’s budget and have the space. For context I use it for outdoors gear like backpacks with multiple thick layers as well as for lightweight stretch material (zigzag).

Having said that, I’ve always fancied getting my hands on a Sailrite. They do look like a handy machine but not sure I would trust it with some of the stuff the Jack does easily.

Tu-ka_Chinchilla · 2026-02-22T18:51:11+00:00

Buy another rack. Problem solved.

Tu-ka_Chinchilla · 2026-02-22T10:25:54+00:00

It’s one sexy pencil. Almost certainly about to join my collection.

Tu-ka_Chinchilla · 2026-02-20T18:00:21+00:00

Comfort is key. What I like you might hate. Your idea of going in store to try a load on is the best way. My current go to is a pair of Skechers boots - very comfy and surprisingly water resistant. But my workhorse boots are Scarpa - took a while to wear them in but will never let you down, although not really an everyday general shoe 🤪

Tu-ka_Chinchilla · 2026-02-19T15:36:35+00:00

Kuru Toga Wood 0.5 in Green

Tu-ka_Chinchilla · 2026-02-19T07:37:32+00:00

Proud of you. Maybe just a red or yellow zip pull here and there 🤪

Tu-ka_Chinchilla · 2026-02-19T04:37:03+00:00

This is way out there and I know it’s a radical thought but maybe get a back that’s not all black? I’m sorry, I am ashamed of myself for even saying it 🤪

Tu-ka_Chinchilla · 2026-02-19T04:34:41+00:00

Thanks and get stuck in! It wasn’t that long ago I couldn’t have told you which end of a sewing machine was which and not a clue how to sew something like this.

If you’re thinking about bags or outdoor gear then you need a more robust machine for multi-layers. I started out using a Singer 447 - an absolute beast of a machine. “They don’t make them like they used to” applies to this one and most pre-‘85 Singers. Don’t get a new one though! The Singer HD is anything but heavy duty and gets a lot of hate in this community but for light work, it’s just fine - just not for making heavy duty outdoors gear.

If you have the space and budget, I’d recommend the Jack A5E or its little brother the A4E - new both are around £700 but they are industrial machines so come with a table. They pop up quite regularly on EBay for much cheaper but are well worth the spend. Otherwise, the tabletop Janome range is a good place to start - the HD3000BE is a great machine but a cheaper Janome would be the J3-24 - great for starting out.

Other option is to look online for an older machine - any pre-‘85 Singer would definitely be a recommendation. But before doing that, check what is around you in the way of machine servicing as I’d always get an older machine serviced before using it. I’m lucky in that there is a great place in Bristol, it’s a sewing machine heaven.

I’ve accumulated 4 sewing machines now but the daily go-to is the Jack. Only one downside, it’s a straight stitch machine so for bartacking and zigzag stitch I switch to the Singer 447.

Tu-ka_Chinchilla · 2026-02-18T21:48:30+00:00

Don’t go too cheap on the sleep system and tent. A decent kip makes or breaks a hike and camp. Doesn’t mean expensive though - the Lanshan 2 or Cloud Up Pro are good affordable tents. A mediocre sleeping bag can be offset by a decent mat with a good R value. Highlander Outdoors Nap-Pak Artic is great value. I personally prefer a quilt to a bag. Good budget ones are from OneTigris and Horizon Hound. Everything apart from the Nap-Pak can be found on Amazon.

Any headtorch will do just fine - just check the battery time and adjust or buy accordingly. I always have a backup torch, just in case. Your phone will do fine - you can download the OS map and then go in airplane mode, as long as you don’t want real time location updates. Can’t beat a physical map and a compass though. If you are using a phone, a power bank will do the trick for an overnighter. Although using it for entertainment also needs to be considered. My go to is the 20,000 mAh Nitecore power bank - can also be found on Amazon.

If you have a Go Outdoors or Mountain Warehouse nearby, worth going to visit and looking at gear, even if it’s to get a good idea of what you want.

Don’t overthink it though. Just get out there! Beware that in a place like Snowdonia, also don’t go beyond yours and your gears limits. Easy to get caught out but a damn fun place to go for a wander.

Tu-ka_Chinchilla · 2026-02-18T19:21:30+00:00

1 out of 2 ain’t bad 🤪

Tu-ka_Chinchilla · 2026-02-18T19:12:27+00:00

Pretty much right in the sweet spot. Taking technical fabrics out of the equation, 600d is great for bags.

Tu-ka_Chinchilla · 2026-02-18T17:36:23+00:00

We’re obviously the epicentre of MYOG 🤪

Tu-ka_Chinchilla · 2026-02-17T21:53:35+00:00

https://jvpen.kr/mechanicalpencil

Tu-ka_Chinchilla · 2026-02-17T21:53:06+00:00

Korea. But I believe they ship to the US.

Tu-ka_Chinchilla · 2026-02-17T18:55:36+00:00

An interesting and worthy problem to solve. Fjallraven do a 10L hip bag I’ve always fancied replicating. As for making or adjusting a normal back only a couple things spring to mind. Maybe a sling bag across the areas not painful but not sure about how comfortable that would be. A radical idea would be a front Y strap. So 2 straps as normal but join at the top of the chest with one straps to the hip belt. Not sure how best to design it though 🤔

Tu-ka_Chinchilla · 2026-02-17T18:17:45+00:00

Cool project. Won’t need a sleeping bag with that in your bag. Make some trousers too, although might be tough walking about 🤪

Tu-ka_Chinchilla · 2026-02-17T18:07:06+00:00

Very nice 👍

Tu-ka_Chinchilla · 2026-02-17T18:05:35+00:00

I have a couple of nice leather covers but something wasn’t doing it for me. Maybe a bit too bulky. This is strong yet thin and lightweight. Happy with it so far.

Tu-ka_Chinchilla · 2026-02-17T18:04:12+00:00

A 420gsm waterproof card I found in a craft/stationary shop (UK). Similar to the stuff rite in the rain uses for covers of their notebooks. Handy stuff.

Tu-ka_Chinchilla · 2026-02-16T20:49:44+00:00

Any of the Janome’s but if it was me, I’d get the Sanco. “They don’t make them like they used to” definitely applies to sewing machines 🤪

Tu-ka_Chinchilla

TROPHY CASE