Pentel Drafting Pencil 60th Anniversary Limited Set: All-Black Versions of Three Classics

Introduction

Pentel’s drafting mechanical pencils have a long history: the original Graph pencil launched in 1965, and the company has produced a steady stream of well-regarded drafting models ever since. To mark 60 years of that line, Pentel released a limited edition set of three long-selling drafting pencils, each finished in an all-black colour scheme: the Graph 1004 Pro, the Graph Gear 500, and the Graph Gear 1000.

The set launched in October 2025 at 4,950 yen including tax. It comes in a specially designed paper package that feels appropriately special for a limited run, and each pencil is held firmly in a custom-cut insert. A commemorative certificate documenting the drafting pencil line is also included, a small extra that collectors will appreciate.

What Is in the 60th Anniversary Limited Set

The set contains three pencils, all unified in black. Each model is also sold individually, so you are not locked into buying the whole trio if you only want one. The package design itself is part of the appeal: the special paper box and fitted interior give the unboxing a deliberately limited-edition feel.

One thing worth knowing before buying: Pentel itself dates back to 1946, when it was founded as Dai Nippon Pen (later renamed Pentel in 1971). This set celebrates 60 years of the drafting pencil line that began in 1965, not the company’s founding, so the anniversary framing is specific to the drafting pencil series.

Graph 1004 Pro: The Student Favourite

The regular Graph 1004 Pro dates back to 1986 and is offered in five lead sizes in its standard form; this limited version comes in 0.5mm only. It is a slim, lightweight resin-bodied pencil with a metal chuck, popular with students because it is easy to hold for long writing sessions without fatigue.

The visual difference from the regular model is subtle but meaningful. The Graph 1004 Pro was already almost entirely black, so the body looks nearly identical. The change is in the lead grade indicator window: on the standard model the window and its interior are white, letting you identify the lead grade at a glance, while the limited model turns this black. That single change shifts the overall impression noticeably. Some buyers may reasonably pass on it for that reason, and it is fair to wish there were some kind of “limited” marking on the barrel itself to set it apart.

In use, it is easy to handle and writes smoothly, with no noticeable rattle from the knock cap on the tested unit. This model sells individually for 1,650 yen including tax.

Graph Gear 500: The Value Pick

The Graph Gear 500 has been around since 2001. It keeps a resin hexagonal barrel, with the grip and metal front cone formed as a single integrated piece, and a knock cap shared with the Graph series design. The standard model is finished in silver.

In the limited set it is blacked out as well, and the look is genuinely sharp. Internally it uses a metal chuck like the others in the set. It sells individually for 1,100 yen including tax, making it the most affordable of the three.

Graph Gear 1000: The Flagship Feel

The Graph Gear 1000 is the most feature-rich of the trio. Its standout mechanism is the retractable tip: pressing the pocket clip automatically retracts the fine pipe, protecting it in a pocket or bag. It is a simple, rational solution to the classic weakness of drafting pencils. The characteristic grip combines soft silicone with knurled metal texture, and it is comfortable to hold.

Here the all-black treatment is slightly incomplete: the knock cap and clip remain silver. That is presumably a deliberate choice to avoid paint wear on parts that get handled a lot, and it arguably ages better, but a fully black version would have been interesting to see. The grip area, which some people dislike in its usual two-tone finish, actually works well in black and may win over skeptics. This model sells individually for 2,200 yen including tax.

How They Write

All three write well in everyday use, but they are not identical. The Graph 1004 Pro is the easiest to handle of the three, with a comfortable, stable feel and a well-balanced weight in the hand.

The Graph Gear 500 is slightly less refined: there is a little play in the knock cap on the tested unit, and during writing the vibration transmits faintly to the tip as a subtle buzz. It is by no means bad, and it remains the best value in the set, but it is the least smooth writer of the three.

The Graph Gear 1000 was the surprise. Its writing feel felt noticeably softer and slightly looser than expected, not the smoother, more precise feel this model is usually known for. This could simply be unit variation rather than a systemic issue, but it is worth handling one in person before committing if writing feel is your priority.

Should You Buy the Set or Individual Pencils?

The strongest arguments for the set are the unified black colour scheme and the commemorative certificate, both of which make it genuinely appealing for fans of the series. Individually, none of the prices feel high: yes, each limited model costs a bit more than its standard counterpart, but the premium is small compared with limited editions from other brands.

On the critical side, a few things hold it back from perfection: there is no limited-edition marking on any barrel, the Graph Gear 500 has slight knock cap rattle, and the Graph Gear 1000’s cap and clip stay silver rather than joining the black theme.

Conclusion

For fans of Pentel’s drafting pencils, this set is an easy recommendation: proven, popular models in a handsome all-black finish, with a collectible certificate included and modest pricing for a limited run. If you only want one pencil, the Graph 1004 Pro is the safest all-rounder, the Graph Gear 500 is the value option, and the Graph Gear 1000 rewards hands-on testing first. Either way, the 60th anniversary treatment is a tasteful way to celebrate a line that has been quietly excellent for six decades.