Having literally tried everything in lead holders and pencils in general, I concluded that the 5340 is one of the best pencils for everyday use. It is also incredible for sketching or even for writing quick notes. It is literally made like a Tank (it has no plastic parts anywhere) and its construction quality, especially the mechanism inside, is superior to its price! As for performance, it is definitely the most versatile pencil, as it can be used with graphite, charcoal, and even Sepia and Sanguine for classical sketching! As for writing, because it offers the greatest precision I have seen, it creates the most beautiful letters out of all pencils in any category!!

The only negative aspect is that it easily breaks if you frequently unscrew the button to use the sharpener inside, then at some point, the tip will unscrew as well. This can be easily fixed (glue the parts of the tip with a small drop of glue that won't run and cause damage, or use what plumbers put on faucet parts!). At the same time, you don't need to unscrew it, just use regular sharpeners, which is preferable for many reasons!

Whether you have the pencil with you for everyday use, at work, or for sketching, it is one of the best and its price, for what you get, is unbeatable. It is now made in Italy, previously it was made in the Czech Republic, it is not Chinese. Once you get used to its size, you won't easily go back to another pencil!

For the tips, a simple sharpener does the job perfectly. The better the quality, the better, of course. You can get a good metal sharpener for less than a euro. Look for M+R in the transparent plastic case.

Edit, After many years of use: Ergonomically, at first, it may seem thick, but later with habit, especially if you use it frequently, for sketching for example, not only does the thickness not bother you, but I don't want another pencil afterwards because they seem too thin to me. The best pencil for sketching, I have bought three more since then!