Stratus Gun Metal Pencil Kit

I have collected many 2mm lead holders over the course of 35 years of being a draftsman and artist, but this is the first one I've made for myself. I was a bit apprehensive about the edges and texture around the grip area, but find it very comfortable and natural feeling. Still, I would love an option with the body of the pencil extending over that area. I left the clip off because I find them in the way when free hand drawing. Thankfully it didn't affect the fit. All materials seem to be of very high quality. I was not initially thrilled with the smoothness of the clutch mechanism, for it seemed to hang up the lead. After a little use the clutch seems to have worked out the kinks. Pencil has a nice weight to it, leaning toward heavy; which I prefer. The dark chrome is gorgeous. It has a wee little eraser under the plunger...I guess a nice option if you don't have a studio full of real erasers. Still, I suggest getting yourself a couple handheld erasers and forgo having to fuss with the cap for every little rogue mark. Overall, a very comfortable, attractive pencil that has sidelined my German made workhorses. One of those, an $80 pinnacle of the industry, has an annoying "creak" where the brass body halves are joined by a plastic threaded coupler. In so many words or less, the answer was, "Those have done that for 30+ years". I assure you, this $10 pencil is far more solid than that! (Or $1300 pencil if you add the cost of lathe, tools, etc. needed to make the pencil, like my wife does.) I love mine, will be making more; but still holding my breath for one with more wood/acrylic coverage.