Pilot DelFul Mechanical Pencil Review: A Discontinued Shake-Knock Pencil Worth Hunting Down

Introduction

The Pilot DelFul is a 0.5mm mechanical pencil released by Pilot in August 2010, and it is one of the more interesting discontinued stationery finds of its era. It originally retailed at 550 yen including tax, but because it has been discontinued, it now commands a premium of well over 3,000 yen on the secondhand market. It was sold in a two-layer presentation package, which was fairly common for special editions at the time.

The headline feature is the shake mechanism, known as the FureFure system: shake the pen and the lead advances without pressing a knock button. That alone is not unique, but the DelFul adds a fully retractable tip with an on/off switch for the shake function, a combination that was genuinely ahead of its time.

Who This Product Is For

This pencil suits writers who hold a pen low near the tip and want a comfortable, thick-bodied daily writer. The 12.7mm barrel diameter gives plenty of grip area, which helps reduce fatigue during long writing sessions. It also appeals to collectors and fans of unusual mechanisms, since the retractable-tip-plus-shake combination is rare even today. Pilot has only recently revived a similar on/off shake concept in a newer Dr. Grip release, which shows how far ahead this 2010 design was.

Main Strengths

The FureFure mechanism works exactly as described. Press the knock firmly and the protective pipe slides out; give a light knock or a shake and the lead extends. Press firmly again with the pipe extended and the entire tip retracts into the barrel. When the tip is retracted, the shake function switches off automatically, so the lead cannot rattle out in a bag or pocket. That makes it both pocket-safe and practical.

The clear window in the middle of the barrel is a thoughtful touch. When the tip is out, it reads as the shake-ready state; retract the tip and the display flips, showing the mechanism is off. It is a small detail, but it makes the internal state obvious at a glance.

Other strengths: the rubber grip is smooth without being sticky, so it holds well and resists picking up dust. The clip is resin, matching the body color, and slightly flexible but clamps firmly. The knock action is very light. The eraser is included, though there is no cleaning pin for clearing lead jams. The most pleasant surprise is the balance: at 145mm long and 18g, it looks like it might sit high, but the weight distribution is actually low and comfortable.

Design and Everyday Handling

The colorways are bold. The line offered 12 colors in total, and the tested unit is the Cool Black and Green, which pairs a glossy black barrel with a fluorescent green accent. It is a striking look that has aged well. One oddity: the product name is printed as DelFul, but the indicator inside the window spells its status differently, a small inconsistency that caught our eye but does not affect use.

Writing Performance

On paper, the DelFul writes smoothly and comfortably. The big question with any shake mechanism is whether the moving tip wobbles during writing, and here the answer is no: there is essentially no play at the pen tip at all. Combined with the soft, thick body and low balance point, it delivers a relaxed, forgiving writing feel rather than a sharp, precise one.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Two caveats are worth weighing. First, durability: a double-knock system combined with an on/off shake mechanism involves more moving parts than a simple pencil, and long-term reliability is hard to confirm. Anyone buying one secondhand should check the mechanism works smoothly. Second, the tip is short, so sight of the lead is somewhat limited compared with longer-pipe drafting pencils. Given the discontinued status, expect premium pricing well above the original 550 yen.

Pilot DelFul vs Pilot Graph Gear 1000

The comparison against the Pilot Graph Gear 1000 is a clash of opposites. The Graph Gear 1000 is slim with a sharp, precise writing feel, while the DelFul is thick and soft in the hand. Both can retract their tips, and both write well, so the deciding factors came down to grip and distance to the tip.

For writers who hold the pencil low, the DelFul’s short distance from grip to tip makes it noticeably easier to control. Writers who grip higher up may find it slightly awkward. On that basis, the DelFul edges out the Graph Gear 1000 in this comparison, though the Graph Gear 1000 remains the better pick for anyone who prefers a fine, drafting-style tool.

Buying Advice

If you want a comfortable, thick-barrel daily pencil with a genuinely clever retractable tip and are willing to pay a secondhand premium for a discontinued design, the DelFul is worth tracking down. If you prefer a slim, precise writer at standard retail, the Graph Gear 1000 is the more practical choice.

Conclusion

The Pilot DelFul proves that a discontinued 2010 pencil can still outshine modern alternatives where it counts: balance, comfort, and a shake mechanism that is both fun and genuinely useful. Its quirks are minor, and for fans of thoughtful stationery engineering, it is a rewarding find.