Review: Pentel Sharp P207 Mechanical Pencil

Pentel's P207 is a highly iconic mechanical pencil. Dating back to the 1970s, P207s offer a great, high-quality build at an impressive price. These pencils are also widely available, and I've found them stocked anywhere from specialized stationery stores to the neighborhood CVS. At first glance, Pentel's P207 may seem ordinary, but it's actually one of the top mechanical pencils available – and it's at an unbeatable price.

First Impressions

When I first got my P207, I admit I was pretty thrown off. Prior to this purchase, I've solely used heftier pencils - such as the Rotring 600 - so I was skeptical about the weight.

However, I quickly realized that the pencil, being so light and sturdy, actually made for a great writing instrument. The pencil's use of light plastic throughout makes Pentel's P207 nowhere near as substantial as a full metal Rotring, but it is sturdy enough to feel extremely reliable. The P207 definitely doesn't feel like it will snap in half (unlike those cheap BIC ones...) while feeling as light as a feather.

Writing Experience

Writing with the P207 is excellent. It feels very firm to use and holds up even when writing with tremendous amounts of pressure. The clicks are also pretty satisfying.

The lightweight body makes the pencil very easy to handle, and there have been times when I didn't even realize I was holding the pencil. Although the entire body is made of plastic, it doesn't feel cheap and still gives the impression that it is an extremely high-quality product.

However, I don't like the overall shape of the pencil. The barrel is in the shape of a dodecagon (it has 12 sides) and sometimes feels awkward for me to grip. I write with a lateral grip (I know... I should fix it), so it may not be a problem for most people, but it can feel annoying to write using this grip style.

General Thoughts

The P207 comes in various colors, such as light blue and metallic green. The model is also offered in 0.3 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm, and 0.9 mm (each model is named after the lead size – i.e., 203 is 0.3 mm and 207 is 0.7 mm). Pentel has also released limited editions of this pencil, such as the Classic Series box set, which brings some nice touches to the lineup.

When I first got the pencil, I was pretty indifferent towards it and thought it was just some random cheap pencil that didn't deserve to be used. However, my thinking couldn't be further from the truth. This pencil is great and deserves all the attention it gets. The high-quality, lightweight build and mechanism are seriously impressive.

Pentel made this a no-frills pencil – everything you see is everything you get. The P207 is a simple but highly reliable pencil that costs very little. Although not the most premium, Pentel's P207 is an amazing pencil that has earned a special place in many collections.

This post may contain affiliate links. See the Affiliate Disclaimer for more information!