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AMMO by Mig- Lock N' Load Weathering Rechargeable Technical Pencil

Catalog Number: A.MIG-8349 Manufacturer: Ammo by Mig Jimenez S.L.
Published: Tuesday, January 21, 2025 Retail Price: $26.01
Scale: N/A Reviewed By: Michael Reeves

AMMO by Mig- Lock N' Load Weathering Rechargeable Technical Pencil

AMMO by Mig is always striving to create useful products that allow a modeler to expand their techniques for weathering and finishing their models. Their pigments and washes have been a mainstay for many years now and this recent addition only adds more tools to the weathering arsenal. When I first saw this, I thought of those fat barreled pens of my youth that had 4 different colors all in one pen that you could switch out with a click of a button. In this case though, its 13! Those with an array of weathering pencils from other brands may be skeptical, and in truth there isn't a huge difference between them in what they do. However, AMMO offers you the colors all in one package that can easily be switched out- as well as a built in sharpener (just like those huge Crayola crayon boxes!)

 

Things can get a bit messy if you put the leads away still damp

The box the set comes in features a magnetic flap that seals up the box when not in use. A foam insert holds each lead firmly in place and you can use the tip of the pencil holder to pop them out carefully. The set includes: 

  • A.MIG-8313 LOCK & LOAD Mechanical Pencil with Gun Metal lead with tip 
  • A.MIG-8314 White
  • A.MIG-8315 Black  
  • A.MIG-8316 Light
  • A.MIG-8317 Grime
  • A.MIG-8318 Chipping
  • A.MIG-8319 Dark Rust
  • A.MIG-8320 Medium Rust
  • A.MIG-8321 Light Rust  
  • A.MIG-8322 Olive Drab
  • A.MIG-8323 Faded Yellow 
  • A.MIG-8324 Blue  
  • A.MIG-8325 Silver

I checked in with the folks at AMMO and replacement leads will eventually be available individually for when your preferred colors are used up. There is also a helpful guide to instruct you on the various ways to use the pencils, including dry and wet applications.

These can be used to add dust and grime to your model surfaces, as well as soot, rust, chipping, scuff marks, metallic effects, and panel line shading. The tips are fine enough that you could also add chalk markings or graffiti to your work. Panel line shading is also a breeze. The tips can be sharpened by either unscrewing the top to reveal the sharpener, or if you want an even sharper finer tip, you can use a sanding stick or paper- the leftover dust makes a fine pigment for weathering as well. Switching out the lead is as easy as depressing the end to open up the spring loaded chuck- the lead slides out and can be easily switched with another- just push in into your desired length and let go of the pressure to retighten the chuck.

They recommend using these on a matte surface for best effect. Using the leads dry, you just draw the effect you want onto the model- this line can then be feathered or blended with a brush barely damp with water. You can also dip the lead tip directly into water and use that directly, blending the effect with a brush afterwards. If you make a mistake, it is easily removed with more water. These are non-toxic so safe to use around your kids or pets. No matter what genre of model you are building and weathering, these pencils are an ideal way to add weathering. I have included a few examples below...

a.

Grime used for the interior of this Spitfire cockpit

Gunmetal used to detail these .303 and 20mm cannons

Gunmetal and grime used on the deck and edges of this Stuart

Rust on the lifting ring of this Sherman

Grime used liberally over this whitewashed Battle of the Bulge M4A3

Grime on ERA blocks- Top is drawn on dry, Middle is drawn on and blended with brush, Bottom is applied with wet tip


Grime on hub

Conclusion

One can see the varied uses of this set of pencils and I find them to be a bit easier to use than pencils from other manufacturers as they kind of take on the qualities of water color pencils and pigments all in one. I like the colors all in one place and the ease with which they can be switched out. The mechanical pencil is a perfect fit for my hand and well balanced. The screw top with the removeable sharpener is a nice addition and a great way to keep a nice tip on the leads. 

Highly Recommended for Beginner to Advanced builders looking to up their weathering game.

Thanks goes out to AMMO by Mig for this review sample.

Reviewed by Michael Reeves

 

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