$50 for a Pencil?? Rotring 800 Lead Holder Review 

Out smart the “it’s graphite” with “I prefer carbon lattice”

If I told my younger self that in 2019 I'd be watching a 17 minute long video on a pencil review ... I'd think I would've lost it.

Hi Peter, actually the German company Rotring (from Hamburg) is owned by the American company Newell Rubbermaid. They closed the production in Germany, and those typ of mechanical pencils and leadholders are now manufactured in Japan by a company called Holbein ( funny, because it's a German name...)

My brother: “ That was an intense sip.” Me: “ He is an intense man.”

Dude big fan right here!! Probably in this week I binged on 3 years of your vids lol very enjoyable

Love the way you do the “sponsored segment”. So many content creators kind of sneak their way around it with “I just found this great website/product that I like a lot and you should too”. Just be straight with it

Had one of these pencils for over 15 years. Also own the _matte black_ sister version. _A thing of beauty is a joy forever_

This might be the most serious I've ever seen Peter. Hope everything is okay.

Hi Peter, I just wanted to say thank you. I've been kind of depressed lately, and watching your videos has helped me. I love what you do and what you create (art and videos), your an inspiration-thank you.

Me: looks like an alien mouth Peter: looks like an alien thingy

"maybe that's why its called rotring" I never thought about that... it blew my mind

As a fellow rotring fan I can also recommend the rapid pro 2 mm version. It's much cheaper and is still all metal and clicks like a mechanical pencil and has a sharpener on top. Edit: it's like $28-30. Still really expensive but really nice

That french press cozy has inspired me to learn how to crochet!!

I used the Staedtler Mars Technico 780 (yes largely plastic but well made and a fraction of the cost of that battleship you've been lugging around) all through most of my schooling and it never let me down. Years later it's still going strong! Thanks for introducing your other lead holder, Peter. That one has some swagger.

It’s mindblowing to me that he has 800k subs, doesn’t run any ads in his videos and doesn’t overly promote products.

I bought this pencil 6 years ago and still using it. This is an awasome pencil, and I have never used a pencil this much before and it is totally worths it's price.

The point made at 10:14 may be the greatest thing I’ve ever heard on YT.

I've been watching this channel almost everyday for like 4 years, and every video he uploads it feels like a holiday, some old videos from 3 years feel like new, like when i see the old thumbnails i think of them as new videos i dont know why especially the plant reviews and glowing pens

I really love Peter's reviews, but on this pencil I have to disagree. Actually this mechanical pencil is pretty bad for anything else than drawing for fun - and Rotring items generally aren't designed for that. If you're thinking about upgrading your pencil for architecture school or something like that, don't go for this one! Besides the fact that material gets stolen all the time, this item is way too heavy for daily use. Sometimes you need to draw for a couple of hours and you'll be really exhausted with a pencil made out of steel after just half an hour or even earlier. The worst part about it is the way you change the lead though. If you go for 2mm graphite, simple pencils like the Koh-I-Noor Peter compared it to are way more versatile. Sharpening them is a lot easier, they are not that heavy and also last a lifetime. Faber Castell is a much better brand than Koh-I-Noor though. Rotring items are made for engineering drawing and the brand is known to be the best manufacturer for that. However, this pencil is an exception. It's just overkill for that. When it comes to drawing for fun, you won't regret buying this pencil though. It's great in quality and I totally agree with everything presented in this video.

I feel like Peter would be a really good teacher. But you cant really teach what he draws, its just gotta be natural

I feel i must defend my southern brothers since I have used their pencil in my primary school. KOH-I-NOOR is Czech!

I’ve had a realllyyyyyy bad terrible day. You’re always posting when I need it most!!

Peter, you should try free motion quilting. It’s basically a continuous line drawing made with thread. I’d be interested to see your style in that medium. 😊🧵

You could cut the fingers off of your gloves (take them off first).

I’ve had my Rotring 600 with red and blue ink and a 0.7 pencil since 1996 and it’s great!

Just love to watch you! One of my FAVORITE art channels on YT. Now that I see you have a DAFT PUNK coffee mug you ranked a billion times higher! Lol. Love the mug👍🏻👍🏻💞

The thing with a lead holder is that as long as you threat it nicely it will last forever and consistency is priceless.

japan is a real mechanical pencil wonderland, I wouldnt be surprised if most specialized pencils if not available locally would be coming from japan just because the use of them there is so high, and cute pencil pouches uwu

Rotring was bought by a Japanese company some years ago! And the production site was moved to japan so thats why your lead holder wad imported from Japan.

Thanks to you, I've tried drawing with a lead holder and I loved it! You are probably my favorite artist on RU-vid

I thought using a lead holders to sketch was a rare thing. I love it. I ran across one in the drafting supply at my local hobby store. I do like to have a sharp point with mine. On the Stylus thing, people with larger fingers use them with better accuracy.

Fun Fact In Germany we call these "Druckbleistift" which would translate into "Press (from pressing) Pencil. The Name comes from "drücken" which means pressing as you have to press at the end for the lead to come out 💁‍♂️😂

Leave it to Peter to find the pencil that possibly doesn’t exist

So I’m German and I think the name rotring comes from the two word rot=red ring=ring, explaining the red plastic ring. This may be obvious but it just came to my mind

Hi Peter, the "stage freight" you mentioned is actually a known phenomenon. Medical experts call it "R.I.", or Rotring Intimidation. As a decades-old collector of Rotring implements, I can verify that I often avoid eye contact with them...for fear of judgement! They are so well engineered, and so precisely manufactured, that they seem to whisper, "What are you going to do that's worthy of me"?

I carry the same philosophy for any expensive instrument/utility and such: if it's an item that you're going to interface and interact with alot, it is worth getting the best you can afford and avoid bottom of the barrel stuff. Few exceptions for cheaping out tho are just personal preference and trusted brands that have earned their space in the market. Of course always be responsible with your spending and do your research before buying a product.

I bought one of these! I love the weight, texture, and overall prowess it has. 60 bucks well spent! (Canadian lol)

I like the new format! Thanks for the review Peter !

I used to use a pen/stylus hybrid with my tablet, to draw. I have it with me always to use in my bullet journal, and then if I'm bored and have my tablet on me, I can draw on that. That being said, it's more just a convenience thing because I usually also have a sketchbook with me too, and my fiance has commandeered my tablet anyway. Which is all good because the stylus and of mynpen broke. On the plus side, it's an amazing pen, so I still love it lol. Plus I got it at the wedding of one of my close friends, so it inspires a very good memory :).

Man, that thing looks great, and I trust you that it feels, and smells delicious. But yeah, steep price. And of course it's a lead holder, the mark is just as good as any old lead holder. So alltough attractive, I won't spend that much cash on a fancy way to hold a graphite stick. (Also bought a Faber Castle lead holder recently, not $50, but not cheap either, slim sleek desig , nice enough).

I have the .5 mm silver rotring , I love it and enjoy it . Also I am a machinist so I can appreciate the quality in manufacturing of these pencils . Now I must buy the 2.0mm

I hesitate spending over $20 on a pen to use For drawing and I do have a lot of dip nibs that I have used for years but never one for $50 and never for a single pencil or clutch! Koh-I-noor is a Czech Republic company but they might have an Italian factory, I do enjoy their color pencils and soft (medium) pastels! You are truly talented and quite inspirational in your videos! Thank you for sharing your point of view!

I know you're going to do what you want, but a long time fan here would love to see you study realistic faces/anatomy. Thanks!

Man I love you I swear. Your personality alone is a winner but your art captivates me so much. I’m typically not a huge fan of abstract art, because a lot of the time it feels kinda empty to me. Yet, somehow your style is insanely abstract and seems like you never have a plan for it yet I can always decipher it into several smaller images that resemble something or one big strange structure/ being that I can see all the parts of. I realize that probably doesn’t make any sense and I’m not describing what I mean in a way that’s very coherent but the point is somehow you draw essentially nothing and in it/ them I can see anything or everything. I also started drawing more since watching your videos because I learned from you that it’s not about having an idea and executing it every time it’s more about just putting something on the paper/ canvas regardless of whether there’s a goal or simply experimenting

Do the kids in your school realize how lucky they are to be near such talent?

dude when I have to get away from the nonsense of RU-vid I click on you...because you’re honest and fun. Thanks man

Hope your finals went well Peter!!

Wow, a Daft Punk mug. Awesome thing to have while drawing!

I have been using this pencil for a few years now. Mine is black. I also have the Rotring 800 0.5mm and Rotring 600 0.7mm. Despite Peter saying it is the heaviest of the three in the video, they are quite light and well balanced. They are great and worth the money, as Peter said, if you can afford it. I am thinking of buying two more 600s because the 0.5mm and 0.7 come in red and blue, red being my favorite color. I may get a 3 in 1 instead but I'm undecided. The pencils were produced both in Japan and Germany at one point in time but it now seems Japan is the sole manufacturer. The pencil in the video is a Series 6 Rotring 600 2mm which is only produced in Japan. Series 1 of this line of pencils, produced in 1988, was the only one exclusive to Germany. Series 2, 3, 4, and 5 were produced by both countries. Hope this helps anyone trying to decide whether or not to purchase this pencil. I highly recommend you do.

ITS DISCONTINUED. ITS AMAZING BUT APPARENTLY IT WASNT WHAT ROTRING NEEDED

His channel is what I call a "bowl of noodles channel" Bowl of noodles channel: 1• A channel on RU-vid that has every video uploaded that is perfect to watch while eating a bowl of noodles of all quantities. 2• A RU-vid channel that just does noodle reviews

I need this mans level of chill

Something about peter keeping his lead holder for years to the point that hes smoothing parts of the grip gives me a nostalgic feeling that i cant place but am happy not to. Just makes me warm.

Took one look at the Rotring and knew for someone like me with a heavy hand it would be worth the money. Of course I will never take it out of the house. It would be too expensive to lose. Had that experience, let's say multiple times, with my Apple pencil.

Yeah $50 is expensive… but I NEED ITTTT

Pete is like an artist version for ASMR that has descriptions in details of all the products he uses and also shows quality drawings step by step.

I think the stylus / pencil combo might be fairly popular in Japan. Mech pencils are very popular in Japan because they need to be able to write small and detailed kanji clearly AND Japan is really tech savvy.

Yes ive used a stylus pen at work. Im a refrigeration engineer. My phone is essential for me to calculate refrigeration and poe oil ammounts also enthalpy calcs for clean rooms and racks. The pen feature is invaluable to quickly write down on service orders these ammounts and calcs. Very valuable to me.

I love the way your confidence and looseness has increased with the pencil . . the work is looking great

I wish I had the money for this. I’ve already made my rotring purchase on a .7 mm, and I like it well enough. But the 2 mm is more traditional, and useful. I took a drafting course years ago and have used my blue plastic model ever since. I like that worn metal look on your first pencil, Peter and might save up for one of those.

Man, I so love that French press cozy. I know it has a matching mug cozy which makes it super ultra cute! LOVE IT. Yeah, I was eyeing that holder...but couldn't justify it for myself. I already have the Steadtler ones and even the black Kohinoor holders... and even a silver 5.6mm holder and I don't even draw that much right now. The dream is alive and well however, so that's a great positive. I love how heavy and sturdy the RotRing feels. I have the pencil .5 600s and love them. Japan bought RotRing a while ago....wait, I thought Koh-i-Noor is Czech Republic. I have the Galaxy Note 10+ which comes with the stylus. To be fair I've never really used digital note taking so I really haven't been using it, but like you said, I love options. Hey, the other .5 mechanical with knurled grip that I'd recommend is the Tombow mono graph zero. I love how small the eraser is for detailed work and they aren't overly expensive.

I have a white Rotring 0.5mm mechanical pencil that I got when I was 15; I'm turning 43 in a month. It still works beautifully, and just by looking at it you can tell I got my use out of it. It used to be my favourite pencil until I got a Pentel. Pentel mechanical pencils are perfect, even though most are plastic. I actually got two gorgeous metal Staedler mechanical pencils - which were relatively expensive - with a similar finger groove area to the ones you show in the video, but my fingers don't like it. I prefer the rubber sleeves with dents and ridges on my "cheap" plastic Pentel. They fit so well in my grip that I sort of forget I'm using a pencil to draw and not my fingers. I also have a Faber Castell lead holder, which looks a bit slimmer and less "angled" than the Rotring in the video. I guess some shapes are offensive to my hand, even though they look very elegant. Bottom line, the pencil will be worth $50 if you use it with pleasure. I paid about $5 for my favourite mechanical pencil, but I would gladly say it's worth $50 to me.

Now this lead holder is $70 on Amazon - you got it for a steal, Peter! 😁

My first video by 'Peter Draws' that I have seen. At first I wanted to shoot myself with his droning monotone voice. But his words were clever and his art was abstract but wonderful. And now I want coffee. And a knitted coffee sweater.

Premium but.. I also have a 800 the 0.5 mm for several years now,it is everything you say! But.. when I use it outdoors in sunny weather, the gold plated tip reflects an gold auro on the paper. This is extremely disturbing, really. Otherwise it is the best and most used graphite pen I own. Premium video!

That thing looks beautiful and I've been looking for a replacement drawing pencil and a late birthday gift for myself.🥰

I have two Rotrings myself, the 600 mechanical pencil and the Rapid pro ball point pen, love them

What is a lead a holder? Is that hipster for mechanical pencil, or is that a real separate thing?

Hi.. Peter. Here in Manchester UK 100s of thousands of humans like me go underground and draw. We use mechanical pencils for a first sketch, these first drawings are then burnt in a ceremony. The flames and smoke inspire a drawing that is then done on out tablets using a stylus. A mechanical pen with a stylus would go down an absolute treat here in Manchester where there are throngs of artists ready to use them. Having the 2 in one would be ideal as our first drawing and second should be done using as exact a copy of writing instrument as possible. All the best to you Peter from us here Manchester UK.

I have been debating getting this lead holder for some time. I have the 0.5mm mech pencil, so...it stands to reason I should get its 2.0mm brother, right? I have a large collection of clutch style lead holders and some that are mechanical (meaning, they gradually release the lead on each click.). I have everything from vintage to modern. What I have learned is, it's more about what lead you use, than the holder. A good holder allows for balance and comfort in the hand. A good holder will offer variance in the way you need to hold it. The lead you use, beyond the grade, truly shapes whatever you're drawing/sketching/rendering. I have acquired everything from vintage to modern in Eagle Pencil Co, Turquoise, Staedtler, Farber-Castell, Venus Pencil Co, Mitsubishi, Koh-I-Noor, Dixon, and various other un-named cheap brands. I finally discovered, what I felt, was the best pencil lead ever made. Caran D'Ache. Their pencil lead lays down the smoothest, even at the hardest rated lead. Their lead holders are equally awesome. IN fact, some of the most unassuming lead holders ever made, but have the balance of well-forged and tempered sword, with lead that lays down like butter. With that said, there is a cool factor in owning that Rotring 800 2.0mm lead holder. It's not too dissimilar to Staedtler's 925 silver series.

In soviet period, in USSR, was popular mechanic pencils for enginering and design drawing. From this time, I got box of some leads with 8B. It's realy soft and I dont know thery I can bye soft leads like this. I like useng mechanic pencils for any drawing, academic or scetching and never sharp them.

Thanks for doing the review, it’s the first decent review I find for this. I had already bought it but it is nice still.

Since you asked... I had a combo pen/pencil for years and loved it! Blue ball point ink, Red ball point ink, and .05 Graphite, & even had a small eraser. It was awesome! & It was also before everyone had smart phones & we all carried FILO Fax binders around to keep up with everything. Now I just use a Pen/Stylus combo. My current favorite is from Zebra. I like it because the stylus side is fairly slim compared to others, I can get ball point ink refills at my local pharmacy, & a whole new pen is only $9.99. I do use a special stylus to draw digitally, but for daily running around, the Zebra stylus/pen combo is great to just toss in my pocket or purse.

Team up with that person and offer those crochet cozies on your merch page. Made to order.

Peter. I love everything you do. You honestly inspire me with all your hard work and dedication to your art. But I’m sorry. You have the voice of a man who’s always trying to hold back a burp.

I first saw the 800 series back in 1993 and went crazy over it. I bought the silver and gold fountain pen, the Roller Ball, the ball point and the mechanical pencil, all of which I still have except for the pencil which one of my kids lost, I got a replacement years later. The bad news is that I can’t use the fountain pen or the roller ball; the caps came loose with use and there’s no way of fixing it, or at least I haven’t found a way to do it. The ballpoint and the pencil still work great, but the other two were a waste of money.

Man, i bought this pencil as a present myself for my high school graduation. Now I'm doing a masters degree and still with me.

Nice to know you're a coffee presser, too!. Also, you mention the cotton glove making the pencil slippery. Cut the thumb, index, and middle fingertips of the glove off or the entire finger. There is actually a rather overpriced mass-produced version of that sold as a drawing glove. As for the pencil, I can see where the price is justified with being all precision machined metal. But I am very happy with my under $20 Koh I Noor and Staedtler mechanicals and lead holders. I love that the Koh I Noors have a "dial" at the top which you can rotate to the type of lead you placed in it.

The best budget lead holder in my opinion thats amazing and is only $11 is the steadler mars technico 780 and for 3 years everyday I would take it with me at school and everywhere with a sketchbook and its still good as new.

I have had a rotring 600 0.5 mm mechanical pencil in black for a few years now. It is honestly the best pencil I have ever used.

At the moment, the Rotring Rapid Pro in 2mm is a bit under $30 and offers similar features, although I mostly see it in black. For a much cheaper alternative (if you need a lot or you need one where it might get lost or damaged) the 2mm Rotring 300 lead holder is around $11, but it's plastic and the mechanism is different. I have a couple Rapid Pro holders that I use when I really want something nice, but I have a bunch of the 300s stashed everywhere I might need one.

I have a lead holder, all plastic, 2mm, 2B, with the sharpener tip. I paid BRL$7,00 for it, about US$2,00. I love it.

Aww Peter I love the stylus combo pens lol

These were always referred to as Propelling Pencils when I was a boy. So much more efficient and none wasting of lead unlike a wooden pencil where by you lose so much lead when sharpening to reveal the lead to draw.

I work in a casino and the older supervisors love using a stylus to handle the player rating program we use. I feel they look silly personally, but they seem to be helpful for the older crowd.

I had the 0.5mm for years, from school to work. It got it's sad ending when it fell, point first, compressing and pinching the opening beyond 0.5mm. I agree, you'll love the weight, the feel of the knurled finger hold, faceted body, the industrial feel. Oh great, now I'm missing the bugger. Time to visit Amazon.

The red band = Engineering / Architecture cred. Also looks nicer than the staedtler standard we all use.

I have the same pencil in .5mm all black and i love it. Been using it for years from college papers to drawings. It is a really nice pencil.

I have a stylus pen combo. A local politician handed them out. What I do love about it is the patch of microfiber glued on the top to clean your screen. I never use a stylus, but my grandma has neuropathy and has to use one, but I buy them on Amazon and she tapes them to her iPad by a string so it stays handy.

Thank you for all of the information. Much appreciated. Have you ever thought of making an ASMR video of a pencil review or better yet an alternative ASMR sketch video. That would be awesome. Keep up the great work.

I love my Rotring 600 .5mm mechanical pencil, mainly for the way it looks. I don't use a 2 mm lead holder, though I do occasionally use a 5.6mm lead holder with either graphite or charcoal, with a different brand, boring lead holder. I covet to the nth degree the no-longer-made Rotring 600 fountain pen. Mainly for the way it looks. Industrialist beauty.

I love this guy....I feel this strange delight after watching his reviews.

Cool, I'm a Rotring guy, they have the best vintage triangle (orange transparent). God bless.

I have to say I am very grateful that you introduced me to the Muji from your videos. Its by far my favorite pen. The best nib from any of my fountain pens and was cheaper than all my other pens too.

Peter, if you like the KOR-I-NOOR get a Alvin PRO-MATIC lead holder, it's pretty sweet.

Out of all the "I want to buy that pencil" (I am addicted to mechanical pencils, a poor addict in short $) and out of all my purchases my rOtring's are the ones that have kept that "I love it" feeling, unlike most that are just that need to have em' but when you have finally have them in your collection it's more like meh.. it's there. Also I still need to get me the RapidPro and the 800 "Lead holders" I have 0.5 and 0.7, I am still enjoying the orenznero 0.2 I just got. the TWSBI precision is still over priced in amazon so gonna have to wait a little more to get new stuff. Ty for the content!

In Canada this bad boy is $138 dollars now!!!!!! Gadddaaaamn.

Was in my recommended for some reason... not disappointed

I have the same lead holder, you should try Mitsubishi Uni leads they are amazing, available on jetpens. I have a review on jetpens for this lead holder as well, I removed the pocket clip on mine as I have a thing against them. I love that there is no lead pointer or eraser included on the lead holder as to me it makes it seem far more serious in its singular function. I also enjoy having it in my hand and on my desk! These were originally made in the 80's under the Rotring 600 gold which was a limited edition. Also as per the cotton gloves you should check out the Smudge guard. Specifically made to let you have full tactile control of your pencil but covers your bottom finger/s to prevent the smudge

amazing sketches, especially those in the second notebook, keep it up!