Uni Kuru Toga: A Comprehensive Guide

When you write with a regular mechanical pencil, the lead gets worn down on one side while you’re writing, which creates a slanted edge. Your writing will look inconsistent, especially if you rotate the pencil in your hand while you write.

The Uni Kuru Toga solves this problem with its lead rotation mechanism. A spring-loaded clutch rotates the lead every time you lift the pencil. The lead wears down consistently, so your writing always looks clean.

The Kuru Toga comes in three lead sizes. We recommend the 0.5 mm lead size for most writers because it balances precision with a smooth writing experience.

The 0.7 mm tip size is a good option for those with larger handwriting. The 0.3 mm creates the finest line, but it’s easier to break if you write with a lot of pressure.

A sliding lead sleeve protects the lead as you write. As the lead gets shorter, the sleeve retracts into the pencil. You can write continuously without extending the lead, until the sleeve has completely retracted into the pencil’s nose cone.

As an added bonus, the sliding sleeve can be pushed into the nose cone, preventing the sleeve from getting bent or poking holes into your pockets and pen cases. The sliding sleeve can be found on the Advance, Advance Upgrade, and Pipe Slide. All other Kuru Toga Mechanical Pencils have fixed lead sleeves.

The W Speed Engine rotates twice as fast as the standard Kuru Toga engine: 20 strokes per rotation versus 40 strokes for the standard models. The standard Kuru Toga is ideal for writing complex characters with many strokes (such as Japanese kanji) because of its higher stroke count per rotation.

Simpler scripts like Roman characters use fewer and longer strokes. The W Speed Engine is ideal for alphabets because it rotates the lead faster without requiring you to lift your pencil as often.

In addition, with fewer strokes per rotation, the lead is sharpened half as much when compared to the standard model.

The Uni Kuru Toga Standard & US are the most basic mechanical pencils in the lineup. It has a clear grip section where you can see the mechanism at work while you write. The grip has shallow grooves that make it easier to hold.

Pick up the Starter Set if you want everything you need to get started with your Kuru Toga. It includes a 0.7 mm mechanical pencil, lead refills, and replacement erasers.

Shop Now

The Uni Kuru Toga Advance uses the updated W Speed Engine that rotates the lead twice as fast as that of standard Kuru Toga Mechanical Pencils. It also has a sliding lead sleeve.

The Advance looks similar to the Pipe Slide, but it has a metal-plated tip nose cone and clip. The heavier components help give the pencil a lower center of gravity, which can make it feel more balanced than the lighter Pipe Slide.

Shop Now

The Uni Kuru Toga Advance Upgrade takes the Kuru Toga Advance to the next level. It has a W Speed Engine, sliding lead sleeve, and metal clip just like the Advance. However, instead of a plastic grip section, its grip section is made of matte, textured metal that makes it easier to hold.

Shop Now

The Uni Kuru Toga Pipe Slide has a sliding lead sleeve, and it also uses the W Speed Engine. This mechanical pencil is similar to the Standard, so it’s a good option for those who prefer a lightweight writing instrument.

Shop Now

Thanks to its minimalist design, the Uni Kuru Toga KS won’t distract you in the middle of a note-taking session. The rubber grip section is comfortable to hold, and the updated rotation mechanism prevents the pencil’s lead pipe from wiggling.

Shop Now

With its comfortable grip section, the Uni Kuru Toga Rubber Grip stands out from the other Kuru Toga models. Though the grip isn’t squishy, it has a grippy texture that might feel better for writers who have sweaty hands.

Instead of a clip, this mechanical pencil has a circular knob that keeps the pencil from rolling away.

Shop Now

Featuring the same silicone grip as other Alpha Gel pens and pencils, the Uni Alpha Gel Kuru Toga is wonderfully comfortable to hold. The grip is nice and squishy, so anyone who squeezes tightly on their pencils will definitely appreciate it.

The Alpha Gel Kuru Toga has a slightly thicker barrel than other Kuru Toga Mechanical Pencils, so it encourages a gentler grasp. It’s also a great choice for those who have larger hands.

Shop Now

The Uni Alpha Gel Switch combines a comfortable silicone grip with the ability to change between writing modes. Twist the pencil’s clip to toggle between the “Kuru Toga” and “Hold” modes.

“Kuru Toga” mode uses the lead rotation mechanism. “Hold” mode keeps the lead still, so it feels more stable. Both modes have their advantages: “Kuru Toga” mode is better for math and print writing, while “Hold” mode is best for quick notes and cursive.

Shop Now

With its modern, refined look, the Uni Kuru Toga High Grade is ideal for professional settings. Its matte aluminum grip section has ridges that support your fingers as you write.

Shop Now

The Uni Kuru Toga Elite & Roulette have knurled metal grips that make sure you get a good grasp on them. The metallic finishes on their plastic barrels give them a luxurious and high-tech feel.

The Kuru Toga Elite comes in starter sets that include leads and replacement erasers.

Shop Now

The Uni Kuru Toga Dive is one sophisticated mechanical pencil. First, when the magnetic cap is removed, it causes lead to extend automatically.

Second, while other automatic mechanical pencils extend the lead when the lead pipe touches the paper, the Dive’s innovative mechanism activates when the lead itself touches the paper. That way, the writing sensation never changes.

Since lead grade and writing pressure can affect how quickly lead wears down, you can adjust the amount of lead extended by turning the dial near the tip. “MIN” works best for hard leads, while “MAX” is great for soft leads that wear down quickly.

Shop Now