Core77

Japanese Overdesign: A Self-Sharpening Mechanical Pencil

Here's how Uniball's Kuru Toga works

By Rain Noe - July 19, 2022

in Object Culture

Uniball, which this month rebranded themselves Uni, makes a self-sharpening mechanical pencil called the Kuru Toga.

Here's how the self-sharpening system works. A gear system inside the barrel rotates the lead each time you press down.

Here's what that action looks like from the tip end. They've glued a piece of paper to the tip so you can better see what's happening.

So basically, it doesn't actually sharpen itself—but by constantly rotating the lead, it always presents you with a sharp tip, created by the last stroke you made on the paper, which wore one edge of the tip away. If that doesn't make sense, the video below explains it visually.

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Roly S

2 years ago

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SNAP- Core77, April 13, 2011:The Self-Sharpening Pencil, Just 20 Years Too Late - Core77

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- Daniel Jordache
  
  Roly S
  
  2 years ago
  
  Z
  
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  love it... elevate everything to an art.
  
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- Rain Noe
  
  Roly S
  
  2 years ago
  
  Z
  
  2Z
  
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  Ha! I just checked, and to date I've written12,799 (not kidding) blog posts for Core77. I'd be surprised if there aren't several unwitting re-runs in there.
  
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  - Anthony Towers
    
    Rain Noe
    
    2 years ago
    
    Z
    
    1Z
    
    And don't stop. I come here every morning to see what's new, even if its old, its often new to me ;)
    
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  - Roly S
    
    Rain Noe
    
    2 years ago
    
    Z
    
    1Z
    
    Whoa, 12,799, thats incredible!!
    The only reason I noticed was because I went out and brought one after seeing that first article. I still have it and its still one of my favorite pencils :)
    
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