Minimal Pencil Is Designed To Last A Lifetime

A designer with a background in aircraft engineering used sleek, sturdy materials to create the ultimate mechanical pencil

Designer Andrew Sanderson has taken the humble mechanical pencil and given it a makeover using sturdy materials that not only look a whole lot sleeker than the typical plastic models, but will also last a lot longer, too.

The Modern Fuel mechanical pencil 2.0 is an “heirloom-quality” writing utensil that promises to stand the test of time, using high-quality metals instead of cheap plastic to cut down on waste while also giving the pencil a more comfortable hand feel. Drawing inspiration from Sanderson’s career in aircraft engineering, each pencil is machined down from one solid piece of metal to make it more durable, as well as giving it a minimalist look.

The pencil comes in a choice of four metals: titanium, copper, stainless steel and bronze. Each material has its own unique properties that make it suitable for a pencil. Titanium, used extensively in the building of aircrafts, makes the pencil super light and strong, as well as resistant to corrosion. Stainless steel, used in the making of many high-end watches, is heavier for those who prefer a weightier pencil. Copper and Bronze, on the other hand, both develop a patina over time, giving the pencil a distinguished, aged look.

Looks aside, the pencil was made to perform, boasting a number of useful features for artists and designers, including three different lead sizes that can all be used interchangeably with the same metal body, a retractable tip to protect the pencil should it ever be dropped, and a removable eraser that can be replaced with a stylus tip for use with touch screens. The interior of the pencil is also entirely metal, containing no plastic, and can be accessed with a provided key that lets the users easily switch parts. Sanderson says he is so confident in the pencil’s durability that he will personally fix or replace any pencil that malfunctions, no questions asked.

“I designed the first Modern Fuel mechanical pencil because I couldn’t find a mechanical pencil to use for my design work that didn’t look like something I used in high school,” the designer writes on Kickstarter. “I believe I succeeded in the visual design and appearance with version 1.0, but there was something left lacking in its mechanics that I knew I wanted to perfect in a second version.”

This second version is now up for funding on Kickstarter, where it has already raised more than $85,000. Pledges start at $70 and those who support the campaign will receive their pencils starting in February 2018.

Modern Fuel