For the metal body pencils, there's a little hole that you can see through to the logo that's turning.

Roulette" and "High Grade" use the Uni eraser refill size C, while all the other models use the Uni eraser refill size S. All Kuru Toga pencils are available in 0.5 mm and in a variety of colours, but some models are also available in 0.3 mm and 0.7 mm.I don’t use a pencil much, but I think it’s a great thing as when I was a student I had to rotate my pencil as usually. Alpha Gel grip; plastic clip; switchable between "Kuru Toga" mode and "Hold" mode by twisting the clip So with each stroke, the lead will turn, and you will get a sharper point to write with the next stroke. Pressing hard to advance the lead gummed it up completely. The only solution was to retract the lead and start again.

I happen to discover the Uni Kuru Toga mechanical pencils recently and was intrigued by its ability to turn the pencil lead within. The highlight of this mechanical pencil is as you are writing, it can turn the lead so that you're always writing with a sharper point. That way, you won't have to use a blunt point anymore. It sounds too good to be true, but is it? The Uni Kuru Toga is a fantastic mechanical pencil for writing. When it comes to drawing, the turning mechanism may or may not work that well. But even so, it's still a mechanical pencil and will work like one. Nothing much to complaint about. And it's not too expensive. Availability I thought I’d share this because, from my experience, there does seem to be a quality control issue with Kuru Toga pencil manufacture [at least as far as the plastic ones are concerned] because I’ve experienced ones that require what I’d call too much pressure to work. The Kuru Toga’s unique selling point is that its lead rotates which keeps the tip sharp when writing. When pressing the lead against the paper to write or when lifting it the gears of the “Kuru Toga Engine” revolve, rotating the lead slightly.The Kuru Toga eliminates this problem with the use of an ingenious lead rotation mechanism that continually rotates the pencil lead as you write. A spring-loaded clutch twists the lead incrementally every time you lift the pencil from the paper. This allows a uniform wearing of the lead to create a conical tip shape that provides a fine, consistent line. The end result is I have a pencil I’m really, really happy with. It’s a plastic 0.5mm Kuru Toga running 0.5mm 2B [Uni Nano Dia Blended] lead. My only gripe is the eraser. It’s uselessly tiny. As a result, I now carry a dedicated clutch eraser (like a clutch pencil, but it dispenses eraser). The Kuru Toga is a mechanical pencil from uni / Mitsubishi pencil. In Japan it has been available for more than a year. The plastic version is now officially distributed in the UK and other countries, while the successor, the new Kuru Toga pencil, is already available in Japan.

Kuru Toga is a mechanical pencil line developed by the Uni Mitsubishi company. The special feature of this pencil is a particular mechanism (referred as "Kuru Toga Engine") which rotates the lead every time the tip is pressed and then released from the paper surface. There are also special limited editions featuring characters by Disney, Peanuts, Sanrio and Studio Ghibli. I’ve used quite a few Kuru Togas and own one of the 0.5mm versions, and I agree with the original poster that you need to use a certain amount of force to engage the mechanism, particularly if you hold the pencil at a fairly low angle. I prefer using softer lead and much less pressure, and get pretty inconsistent results most of the time, unless I change my writing style. Holding the pencil so the logo appears between my thumb and index finger, I can write a complete sentence without seeing the logo move at all.

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The turning mechanism works great for writing where there are plenty of strokes. When it comes to drawing, whether or not the pencil will turn will depend on how long your lines are. So if you draw a long line, that pencil lead will only get turned once. And in that case, it's actually no different from using any typical mechanical pencil. The standout mechanical pencil from the Pilot Dr. Grip line is the Ace Shaker. Its ergonomic design has earned an “Ease-of-Use" Commendation from the Arthritis Foundation. The Ace Shaker’s double layer grip is flared to prevent you from cramping your fingers up too close to the tip. The grip itself consists of a firm rubber outer layer and softer inner layer. This results in a moderately soft grip that is comfortable to hold and ensures you have a stable grasp on the pencil. In combination with the barrel’s optimized weight balance, this pencil is perfect for longer writing sessions. This mechanism prevents the tip from becoming chisel-shaped (therefore more prone to crumble or break) and ensures a consistent line width. The tip rotation is obtained by a spring and three gears, and the revolving action is visible by a rotating logo. I’m a light writer and I use pencil for everything except things like forms and cheques. I usually go for B lead to get dark lines and less pressure.

The design of the Kuru Toga across the different models is relatively similar. The bodies are generally slim and lightweight. The grip sections are made of plastic, metal, or rubber. Some Kuru Toga pencils feature Uni’s Alpha Gel grip, which is made of soft silicone and offers a balanced feel of comfortable cushioning and ergonomic support.

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So the conclusion I’ve drawn is that it’s indeed a matter of pressure and perhaps angle when writing. I’m used to mechanical pencils and I generally never break leads. I hold the pencil at a roughly 40 degree angle, and usually rotate it myself every couple of words (something I had to consciously stop when trying the Kuru Toga). I’m not a fountain pen user, and generally use a mix of ballpoint pen and mechanical pencil at work. You know how sometimes when you draw for too long, the pencil becomes blunt, sometimes you may rotate the pencil to the sharp side of the lead that gives you a thin line. When you're writing, you'll immediately see and feel the difference. With the Kuru Toga, I can actually feel the difference but can't really see the difference unless I'm really looking out for it. It might be a substandard pencil, and other Kuru Toga Engines work with less pressure. This would would mean that there is a quality control problem at uni / Mitsubishi pencil. This is probably not the case. Extremely low angles would do it but the angle is about where you’d be using a pencil to shade a drawing – almost parallel to the paper.