Ringleaf Pit Premium Brass Gold Review: A Striking Brass Mechanical Pencil With One Big Flaw

Introduction

Ringleaf, the Japanese stationery maker previously known for a collaborative display frame project with Pentel, has released a premium take on the Pit mechanical pencil line: the Pit Premium Brass Gold. Priced at 6,980 yen, it aims to take a familiar, pencil-like mechanical pencil and finish it in solid brass with noticeably higher attention to detail. A matching brass case comes bundled in the package, which adds real value to the set.

This is an all-brass pencil with no plating anywhere on the exterior parts, and it is full of design touches that show genuine intent. It is also, unfortunately, held back by one flaw that is hard to overlook. Here is how it shakes out.

First Impressions and What’s in the Box

The pencil arrives in matte black packaging styled like a chalkboard, which is a charming nod to the pencil theme. Inside, you get an instruction leaflet explaining how the brass ages over time, and a soft cloth for cleaning the metal, a genuinely welcome inclusion.

At 19.7g and 142mm long with an 8.5mm diameter, it feels lighter than the raw specs suggest. There is some heft to it, but it is not a heavy writer, and long writing sessions are probably not its natural territory. The balance sits near the center, and the fresh polish right out of the box is genuinely striking.

Design Details Worth Knowing

The exterior parts are all solid brass with no plating, and the lead size is 0.5mm only. The hexagonal barrel is scaled close to a wooden pencil, though it is slimmer than you might expect, a size that will divide opinion. Engravings of the product name and lead size appear on the barrel.

One detail that is easy to miss: the mouth ring is engraved with “12”, a pencil-like touch. The shape of this mouth ring is a registered design, meaning other companies cannot copy it, and that level of commitment to the pencil theme shows. The tip is a fixed 4mm guide pipe. Inside, the clutch is also metal, and the knock cap is brass with a small engraved triangle whose meaning is not explained, since a full official product page has not been published online.

For many owners, the real appeal will be the patina. The polished shine is beautiful, but the brass is meant to be enjoyed as it ages, developing character that arguably makes it look even better over time. If you prefer that look, leave the polishing cloth in the drawer.

Things to Consider Before Buying

There are two problems worth flagging clearly. First, the threads under the mouth ring have no O-ring, so the ring loosens easily, potentially even from writing vibration. Second, and more frustrating: the listing references an O-ring at the knock cap, and photos appear to show one seated in the gap. In reality, the description is referring to the brass ring that tidies the design, not a rubber O-ring. Anyone buying expecting a rubber seal will be disappointed, so check carefully before purchasing.

The knock cap itself wobbles noticeably, to the point that simply shaking the pen rattles it. For a drafting-grade pencil that would be forgivable, but for a pencil branded Premium, it is beyond acceptable. The knock action is shallow, an eraser is included, and there is no cleaning pin.

One more quirk of brass in general: contact with fingers causes a chemical reaction that leaves a characteristic smell on your hands. The brass itself is odorless, but if that kind of thing bothers you, this pencil is not for you.

Writing Performance

In actual use, the writing experience is a highlight. The feel on paper is comfortable, with a satisfying response and a pleasing sound as the lead moves across the page. Lead height off the page and overall feedback are well judged, and combined with the centered balance, the core writing experience is genuinely good.

The problem is that the knock cap rattle intrudes constantly. It is not a subtle wobble; it is large enough to be distracting while writing. Some users reportedly improve it by wrapping tape around the cap, but if you prefer to use the pencil as designed, that is a modification you will have to weigh yourself.

The Included Brass Case

The bundled case is solid brass too, with its own hexagonal body and an engraved maker name. It measures 86mm long and closes with the faces aligning neatly, which feels satisfying. The catch: its threads also lack an O-ring, so the cap loosens easily there as well. The cases close cleanly and the set looks great together, but the same loose-threading issue carries over.

Buying Advice

If the knock cap wobble had been resolved, this would have been a genuinely high-level pencil. As it stands, you are buying the looks, the writing feel, the clever pencil-themed details, the patina journey, and the included brass case, while accepting a mechanical shortcoming that shows up every time you knock out lead. At 6,980 yen, with a current 500-yen discount on Amazon, it is easier to recommend to buyers who care about brass aesthetics and aging than to those who want tight, rattle-free mechanics.

If you have wanted a pencil-like mechanical pencil finished in full brass and can tolerate the cap movement, it remains a charming, characterful purchase. If a solid knock mechanism is non-negotiable, look elsewhere.

Conclusion

The Pit Premium Brass Gold is a pencil with a clear split personality. The design commitment runs deep, all the way to a registered mouth-ring shape and a full brass construction, and the writing feel and balance are genuinely pleasant. But the build is underdeveloped where it counts for daily use: a loose mouth ring, a misleading O-ring reference, and a heavily rattling knock cap. It is a beautiful, enjoyable brass pencil with a disappointing finish on the mechanics. If the aesthetics speak to you, it is worth a look, ideally with the caveats above firmly in mind.