There they are:
To give credit where credit is due, I had a pair of all white LA Gear Pumps in 1991:
The Pump gave the wearer an advantage somehow – maybe gimmick, maybe not. I don’t know… Remembering these helped me figure out how to write about this pencil:
The Pentel Smash. And I say this because of the Smash’s unique grip. It has 42 little raised rubber squares on the grip that adjust when you pick it up and write. Does the Smash grip better than other pencils with a regular rubber grip? I would say yes, at least to some degree. Do the rubber squares make noise when they are depressed? Yes, on the ones that I have – if you grip the Smash firmly, you’ll hear a lot of clicks from the grip.
To me, the charm of the Pentel Smash may not be in the grip at all. Because looking past the grip, the overall concept is unique and satisfying. The tip’s fusion with the barrel focuses the writing experience (unlike the dreadful Ohto no-noc), and the subtle front weight and 4mm sleeve only enhance it. And bonus points for being easy to rotate in the hand.
Are Reebok Pumps good shoes? Maybe. Were my sweeet LA Gear’s good? Probably not. Is the Pentel Smash a good pencil? Noise from the grip aside, it’s a great pencil.
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The Montana Writing Company 