The Tombow Oceanic is a mechanical pencil that is shaped like a fish. It won a Design Plus award in 1993 for its novel design.
The pencil is sometimes called the Tombow “Zoom Oceanic” in keeping with most of Tombow’s design-oriented products. The model was SH-ZLF11.
The Oceanic is covered in a textured rubber that is almost velvety in its feel. The material is grippy but not rough. It’s unlike a typical rubber pencil body and rather odd overall. The pencil is surprisingly short and wide in person, at just over 5 inches long and nearly 0.75 inches (20 mm) in at the widest point.
The tail of the fish — the back of the pencil — is a button that can be pushed in to extend the lead. The back can be pulled off to reveal an eraser. The pencil was only sold in 0.5 mm.
The pencil has no clip so it tend to roll on one’s desk. It will not stand upright as the back end is not flat.
Tombow Oceanic Mechanical Pencil Information
| Street Price | Check Price |
| Manufacturer | Tombow |
| Pencil Models | 0.5 mm |
| Barrel Color | Black |
| Barrel Material | Rubber |
| Body Diameter (mm) | |
| Grip Color | Black |
| Grip Material | Rubber |
| Knurled Grip? | No |
| Grip Diameter (mm) | 15.0 |
| Body Shape | Fish |
| Lead Grades | HB |
| Capped or Retractable | |
| Lead Advance Style | Push Button |
| Lead Color | Graphite |
| Lead Size (Diameter) | 0.5 mm |
| Similar To: | |
| Eraser? | Yes |
| Eraser Refillable? | Yes |
| Clip | No |
| Length | 13.5 |
| Body Length | 13.5 |
| Tip Material | Rubber |
| Tip Replaceable? | No |
| Pipe Retractable? | Yes |
| Cleaning Rod? | No |