Conceptually, the Paper Mate Clearpoint Mix and Match (via Amazon) seemed like an interesting idea when I saw it in pictures online. Because I generally avoid pencils except for my Uniball Kuru Toga I really didn’t have high expectations for this offering from Paper Mate.
Inside the package of the Paper Mate Clearpoint Mix and Match there is one main pen body with a white extra large eraser and a few leads pre-loaded. Additionally there are 4 other top clip sections and 4 other colored extra large erasers. The idea here is that you can swap out the components for a nice mix and match experience.
The caps on these swap pretty easily, and you can see in the picture above that there is a simple slot that the clip section just slips into. It goes in and out very easily, but also feels pretty firm once it is actually in there.
One thing to be pointed out that is important here though is that the pink you see for the grip section, the and the lead advance side push button are not interchangeable.
Once you start swapping out the colors and trying different combinations, you can see the major fault of the Paper Mate Clearpoint Mix and Match. That major fault in my mind is that the name is very misleading. While you can certainly mix the parts, not a damn thing about this monstrosity that even comes close to how I would define the word match.
Writing with the Paper Mate Clearpoint Mix and Match 0.7mm wasn’t a great experience either. The pencil has some annoying clicks and rattles that accompany it as you write. Although the erasers are really nice and large, there is a huge down side too. To advance the eraser you twist the ring at the top of the pencil, however once you start erasing, the motion and pressure can actually start twisting the eraser back into the pencil.
Here is one last look at this thing before I officially throw it in the garbage. Its a visually offensive, clunky mistake that should never have happened, apologies for exposing you to this mess. If you wan’t a great mechanical pencil get yourself the far superior Uniball Kuru Toga (via Amazon) instead for a little less money.
I have to admit I enjoyed this review even more than your positive ones. Like an experienced critic reviewing a terrible movie. It’s just more fun to read!
@Sissy – Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 I was in a bad mood I think when I wrote this, which was probably partly because I had to use and look at this god awful thing. 🙂
Omg! Every time I see you mention the Kuru Toga! Just priceless! And my friends have to see this review. Way too many of them use this pencil! They use that pencil all the time. A better alternative (other than the Kuru Toga of course) is the Pentel Twist Click. Same side click action, but the eraser does not go back in with too much pressure.
@Kian – Maybe they have better luck with these? Maybe they found a trick to make sure the erasers don’t twist back in?
I’ve been using this all-plastic pencil (both the 0.07mm and 0.09mm), the PaperMate ClearPoint, since it was labeled Sanford (Division of Newell Rubbermaid). They have not changed since PaperMate bought the brand, except for the addition of these bright colors. Yes, the eraser is useless, and smudges, so I keep handy several separate Pentel Clic Erasers. I love using these lightweight feel-good pencils, and have been neglecting my others including all three Blackwing Palomino woodies in three shades of darkness with the refillable eraser tops. I always reach for one of these PaperMate side-click mechanical pencils with the comfy stripey rubbery grip. I do not like the coldness, slipperiness or weight of metal in my hands. I have been mixing the tops of the new colors (hot pink, pea green, bright blue) as well as the original colors (dark red, dark green, gray) when one part breaks or fails, creating my own “monstrosity” or “god awful thing”. I found looong full-length fluorescent eraser refills for my translucent Clic Eraser holders. Dull or neutral colors and matchy-matchiness do not inspire me. Colors are cheerful. I am aware that many find real colors to be tasteless, embarrassing, even horrifying. I can hear you gagging.
Nah, it’s not that. From a high schooler’s perspective, most people would not really care for which pencils they use. I am one of the few people I know that use any stationery outside from the generic pencils/pens (see Pilot G2 and most cheaper mechanical pencils). I assume though that the Clearpoint is considerably cheaper than than the Pentel Twist Click, but I am a 0.3 mm pencil person. And yes, I have used the Kuru Toga. It’s brilliant! If only the pipe slide was available in 0.3 mm!
Correcting my stooopid mistake: PaperMate ClearPoint pencils come in 0.05 and 0.07, not 0.09. Sorry.
Just to leave another viewpoint – my daughter is also a senior in high school and the Paper Mate Clearpoint pencils are the only pencils she will use. We just purchased several for the upcoming school year at a cost of about $2 per piece. She apologetically said that she knew I wanted her to use better pencils but this was her favorite. She likes the big eraser and the wide grip. I think they are expensive and have let her try many different alternatives but she just keeps coming back to this brand – in the .05 version.
I loved the review but don’t agree with the conclusions – a matter of taste, I suppose with the mix-match up of different colors. I use these Clearpoint pencils all the time, 0.7 mm B, but mine are the same color cap and barrel. The features I like best are how easy the lead moves forward; the comfort of the grip; and, contrary to some commenters, I really like the way the eraser works: it’s not that tiny, pink dot type eraser that comes with most (e.g. Pentel) mechanical pencils. One drawback is the clip breaks often; that’s irritating because then the pencil can’t stay in your shirt very well. The retractable sleeve for the lead is also nice. Really, it’s a cheap comfortable never jamming usable pencil that works for me, because at work if I lose it or break it or misplace it it’s no big deal.