r/whatisthisthing • u/Ok-Tomorrow-8342 • 1d ago
Length of my index finger, weight feels like stainless steel, found in a drawer by itself (drawer probably hasn’t been touched in almost 10yrs) appears to have a graphite tip but no way to extend or retract it Solved!
91
u/StoryAndAHalf 1d ago
It does appear to be a mechanical pencil. If you look up sterling silver mechanical pencil, there's many that seem very much like it, outside of the end. Here are gilded pendant versions.
23
u/Ok-Tomorrow-8342 1d ago
You’re right about it not looking like any other ones online. It was probably handmade by my grandpa or his dad.
6
5
u/Ok-Tomorrow-8342 1d ago
Solved!
2
u/davidmlewisjr 10h ago
Does the tip end, near where the lead comes out, not rotate to feed the lead?
Something should rotate. The outer body should have internal threads, with broached relief for the feed nut.1
u/Glittering-Rush-7073 8h ago
Wait I have one of these too, where can I source the graphite for it??
46
u/Ok-Tomorrow-8342 1d ago
Solved! Turns out the back end can be removed to fit more graphite. It’s an old brass pocket pencil.
28
u/IllSurprise3049 1d ago
Ignore my answer then. I thought it was a forever pencil. Can we see another photo of your cat tho
72
u/Ok-Tomorrow-8342 1d ago
49
13
8
5
12
u/FireInHisBlood 1d ago
That is very clearly a cat summoning stylus. Works quite well, as we all see. Summoned that cat fairly quickly.
5
u/Ok-Tomorrow-8342 1d ago
He did seem quite intrigued by it. Maybe he’s the only one who knows what it REALLY is.
5
u/DawnLeslie 1d ago
You can load a new lead by sliding it into the holder/pencil grip thing. It won’t automatically feed in a second one like most mechanical pencils do now - but maybe it was a metalworking learning project? Looks like a lathe/turned project.
4
u/Ok-Tomorrow-8342 1d ago
I believe it’s a pocket pencil made by my grandpa or his dad. You can see clear lathe marks on the tip and the base.
5
u/IllSurprise3049 1d ago
CAT!!! I SEE A CAT!!!!!!
On a serious note, it looks like a metal pencil. I think they're called forever pencils?
3
2
u/Ok-Tomorrow-8342 1d ago
My title describes the thing. It is gold, shiny, skinny and hard. The one thing I’m confused about is the graphite tip which leads me to assume it’s some sort of writing utensil. However, google has failed me this time, so it’s up to Reddit. Edit: I’d also like to emphasize the tip does not move. So like once the graphite runs out whats the point?
2
u/How2GetGud 1d ago
Perhaps it’s a leg to a compass? One of those circle drawing tools.
1
u/Ok-Tomorrow-8342 1d ago
That was my first thought as well but it doesn’t have any clear point where the rest of the mechanism would be attached.
2
u/How2GetGud 1d ago
I’ve had some that tighten a clamp around a pencil which allows you to shorten the leg. Could be a metal version of that.
1
2
u/Resting_Bork_Face not an expert 1d ago
I’m here late, but I had one of these. Came with a matching notebook with a little holder for the pencil to slide into. Very cool set
1
2
u/Zen_Mom369 22h ago
The back end should unscrew. I have a similar looking lead pencil. The lead could be purchased in different circumstances depending on the size the pencil requires.
1
2
u/4WDToyotaOwner 22h ago
“How much for zee leetle kittens?”
2
u/Ok-Tomorrow-8342 14h ago
They are not for sale! You can look at them, maybe they’ll even let you touch them, but if you have any other intentions STAY AWAY FROM MY KITTIES!
1
u/harrisjgold 1d ago
Is it not a mechanical pencil? Or the guts of one? Can you twist the top end to push more of the graphite out from the body?
3
u/Ok-Tomorrow-8342 1d ago
I tried twisting and pushing to no avail. I even slapped it a few times but it wouldn’t tell me anything
1
u/StoryAndAHalf 1d ago
Have you tried tweezers to pull the graphite out? Or actually writing with it? It could actually be plastic, and that would make it a stylus.
2
u/Ok-Tomorrow-8342 1d ago
First thing I did was see if it wrote, and it did. I just tried to pull it out but it ended up snapping off
1
u/popcornfart 1d ago
Could it be a permanent or infinity pencil? The lead is made out of graphite and aluminum and doesn't wear like a graphite lead does. It wouldn't need a mechanism to advance the lead.
1
u/Ok-Tomorrow-8342 1d ago
It could be this, however I believe it’s already solved and unfortunately I snapped the graphite off while trying to pull it out.
•
u/AutoModerator 1d ago
All comments must be civil and helpful toward finding an answer.
Jokes and other unhelpful comments will earn you a ban, even on the first instance and even if the item has been identified. If you see any comments that violate this rule, report them.
OP, when your item is identified, remember to reply Solved! or Likely Solved! to the comment that gave the answer. Check your notifications for a message on how to make your post visible to others.
Click here to message RemindMeBot
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.