The Orenz Sliding Sleeve Mechanical Pencil was developed by Pentel in 2014. Without having to click to advance the lead out, the pencil's mechanism allows the metal sleeve to slide back, exposing just enough lead for you to write, but not enough for you to be able to break the lead. Imagine continuously sketching a line without clicking the pencil at all. (They actually have a fun video to demonstrate below) Pentel was the first company to make 0.5mm lead in the history. In 1960s, as a statement, they took it further to making the finest 0.2mm lead in the world. However, the lead was too thin for most and the pencil wasn’t for everyone except for professionals in drafting. They had to discontinued 0.2mm mechanical pencil. But in 2014, this new mechanism was invented to protect the lead from breaking and 0.2mm mechanical pencil was brought back again.
In 2017, Pentel released Orenz Nero as their flagship Orenz series. The metallic body gives it more weight than the regular plastic barrel. The spring inside the tip absorbs forces similar to DelGuard, but it also means the sleeve is always extended. (As opposed to the plastic version where the sleeve can be completely hidden inside the tip.) The 12-faceted not only looks cool, but also makes it easier to grip.
Orenz Nero has been popular among professionals, but Pentel wants the new Orenz AT version to be more accessible among students. The new Orenz AT features the same auto-advance mechanism as Orenz Nero. The internal components have been re-invented to make fit into the new resin body with 12-faceted metallic grip. Additionally, the extra rubber grip similar to Pentel Smash is added on the metallic grip, hence the name Dual Grip.
- 0.5mm
- Available in Dark Red, Dark Blue, Grey and Silver