Platinum Hayakawa-shiki Kuridashi Enpitsu Review: Japan's First Mechanical Pencil, Reborn

Introduction

Some stationery is bought to be used, and some is bought to own a piece of history. The Platinum Hayakawa-shiki Kuridashi Enpitsu, also known as the Ever-Ready Sharp Pencil, manages to be both. Originally created in 1915 by Hayakawa Toshiji, founder of the electronics maker Sharp, it is regarded as Japan’s first mechanical pencil. Platinum’s limited reproduction brings that landmark design back, priced at ¥10,500 tax included, with a production run of just 5,000 units. It launched on December 10, 2024, so anyone interested should move quickly.

First Impressions and Unboxing

The pencil arrives in a black sleeve that slides off to reveal an iridescent presentation box that catches light and sparkles at different angles. Inside, you get an instruction manual and a cleaning cloth, a thoughtful touch for a premium item. The sage-toned color and the rubber band design evoke a Taisho-era atmosphere, and the whole opening experience is genuinely enjoyable.

The first impression is that the pencil feels more compact than expected. The design carries a retro charm and romance that no modern writing instrument offers. Worth noting: the original 1993 reproduction from Platinum has been reissued periodically, and this model is based on an example preserved at the Sharp Museum in Tenri, Nara Prefecture. Different reproductions with varying designs and specifications exist, and counterfeits are common, so caution is advised when buying on the secondhand market.

Design and Build Quality

The barrel and grip are made of brass with silver plating over the top. This matters because the material is sometimes mistaken for solid silver; genuine silver would require a precious-metal hallmark and stamps like 925, and this pencil carries no such marking. The silver-plated brass description is consistent with official product listings, so the specification is well sourced.

The barrel is covered in beautiful engraving throughout, done with engine turning, a technique where a cutter is pressed against the surface to carve each line individually. The finish is remarkably delicate. On the reverse side you will find the engraving reading Platinum, Made in Japan, 0.5.

The nose cone is fairly long but does not unscrew; the tip is fixed. The clip has a distinctive design with the lead pipe exposed, which adds to the character. The eraser hides under the pull-off cap, though there is no cleaning pin. Lead is refilled from the same opening. At 130mm in length, 23.9g, and an 8mm barrel diameter, it is short with a high center of gravity.

How the Mechanism Works

This is a click-type, twist-advance mechanical pencil. Rotating the grip one quarter turn clockwise extends the lead, and releasing it returns the mechanism automatically. To retract the lead, hold the quarter-turn rotation and push the lead in. The click sound is no different from a typical mechanical pencil, and there is no gap in the knock section, no wobble, and no rattle at all. The build tolerance is genuinely impressive.

Writing Experience

The writing feel is excellent. Yes, the pencil is short and has a high center of gravity, so the balance is not ideal, but the solidity is remarkable. There is zero noise or rattle while writing; the only sound is the lead gliding across the paper. That quiet, seamless feel is the standout quality of this reproduction.

The grip has a slight tacky feel from being brand new. It leans toward the slippery side rather than offering strong friction, though it is not excessively so. The one issue worth flagging: during writing, the clip presses against your hand. That is the single drawback encountered during extended use.

Things to Consider Before Buying

This pencil requires some adaptation. The short body and high center of gravity mean the balance takes getting used to, and the clip-in-hand issue will bother writers who use a conventional tripod grip. The price is also on the higher end for a mechanical pencil, so the decision to buy will involve some hesitation for most people.

Counterfeit versions of earlier reproductions exist, and the internal mechanism of this reproduction has actually been rebuilt rather than copied exactly. The original used 1.15mm lead; Platinum changed it to 0.5mm to make it practical with modern technology. The patent involved is thought to relate to the internal mechanism rather than the exterior design.

Who Should Buy It

This is a reproduction for people who want to feel history in their hand, and it delivers on that front with romance and a sense of occasion in spades. But it is also simply a good writer, which was the genuine surprise here.

Anyone who cares about mechanical pencil history should want this pencil in their collection. Because the production run is limited to 5,000 units, interested buyers should purchase early rather than wait.

Buying Advice

Buy it if you value a piece of stationery history that still writes beautifully, and if you are comfortable with a short, high-balance pencil at a premium price. Skip it or hunt the secondhand market carefully if you mainly want a daily workhorse, keeping in mind the counterfeit risk on used listings.

Conclusion

The Platinum Hayakawa-shiki Kuridashi Enpitsu limited reproduction exceeded expectations. The balance needs some adjustment, but the writing feel, with its total lack of noise and rattle, makes it a masterpiece worth using without hesitation. It is a premium mechanical pencil, and the limited run means hesitation could mean missing out entirely.