Kitera Double Knock Mechanical Pencil KS02 Review: A Heavy Metal Writer with One Big Flaw

Introduction

The Kitera Double Knock Mechanical Pencil KS02 is a metal-barreled drafting-style pencil with a price of 1,650 yen tax included. Kitera has built a reputation for taking existing pencil designs and adding extra value before re-releasing them, and the KS02 follows that pattern. It shares its basic design language with a few similar-looking drafting pencils, but this version brings one meaningful change: a metal barrel where comparable models use resin.

After using it for a full writing session, the picture is clear. This is a pencil with genuinely good writing feel and a smart double knock mechanism, undermined by one significant weakness in the grip. Here is how it shakes out.

First Impressions and Design

The KS02 comes in two colors, black and silver, and the silver version reviewed here looks genuinely sharp. The barrel is metal rather than resin, so it feels noticeably heavier and denser in the hand than the similar-looking resin-barreled models it resembles. The barrel is also shorter than those comparables, which leaves more room for the grip section.

Up close, the differences from similar drafting pencils become obvious. The lead grade indicator window sits on an outer cover that rotates to change the displayed grade, and the window interior is finished in black, which looks premium rather than cheap. The knock cap has a small hole in the top, a detail unique to this model, likely intended as a safety vent for the eraser compartment.

The Double Knock Mechanism

This is a true double knock pencil, not just a pipe-slide design marketed under the same name. A deep knock extends the guide pipe, a shallow knock extends the lead, and another deep knock retracts the pipe into the body. That means the 4mm guide pipe can be safely retracted when the pencil is pocketed, protecting both the pipe and whatever it would otherwise poke through.

The 4mm guide pipe also gives a clear view of the writing tip, which drafting-pencil fans will appreciate. Unlike comparable models with lead cushioning mechanisms, the KS02 has none, so the writing feel is more direct and rigid. The knock itself is firm, with a small, restrained click rather than a loud, showy one. Importantly, the knock cap has virtually no rattle, a detail that directly improves the writing feel. Comparable models audibly rattle when handled; this one does not.

How It Writes

The writing experience is where the metal barrel pays off. There is a solid, metallic solidity to the stroke, with very little of the hollow knocking sensation lighter pencils produce. The tip does not waver, and the low center of gravity keeps the pencil stable and balanced during writing.

The clip is thin and folded at the tip, and while it does sit where your hand rests, it is slim enough that it rarely becomes noticeable. Overall, this is a pencil that rewards a lighter touch and steady hand, and the knock cap stability makes long-form writing more pleasant than the rattle-prone alternatives.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The grip is the biggest problem. Although the metal grip has a lattice-style knurling pattern, the grooves are extremely shallow. Your fingers never catch on them, so the knurling effectively does nothing. Combined with the heavy metal barrel, this forces a tighter grip to keep the pencil from slipping, which leads to hand fatigue. This is not a pencil for extended writing sessions.

The knock feel has a quirk too. The hole in the top of the narrow knock cap is fairly large, and pressing on it produces a stabbing sensation against the thumb. The vent hole itself is understandable, but it degrades an otherwise carefully tuned knock experience.

One smaller annoyance: because the grade indicator window sits on a rotating outer cover rather than an inner ring, the window can drift to the top or the back of the barrel, which looks untidy.

Buying Advice

The KS02 makes sense for two types of buyers: people who specifically want a metal-barreled pencil with a low center of gravity, and people who want a true double knock mechanism with a retractable guide pipe. The build quality, balance, and writing feel genuinely justify the 1,650 yen price for those buyers.

If you write for long stretches, or if grip security matters more to you than weight and looks, the slippery shallow knurling is a real dealbreaker. In that case, a resin-barreled alternative with a deeper grip pattern will serve you better.

Conclusion

The Kitera Double Knock KS02 is a well-made, attractive metal pencil with excellent balance, a stable knock cap, and a properly executed double knock mechanism. The shallow knurled grip is the one flaw that keeps it from being an easy recommendation for everyone. If heavy metal pencils and double knock mechanisms are your thing, it is worth a close look; just be honest with yourself about how much grip traction you need.