STAEDTLER550 02 Noris School Compass with Centre Wheel, Extension Bar, Universal Adapter and Lead Box (350 mm Diameter)

This the 4th compass I have ever owned & by far the best. When I first received it, I was disappointed that its body is plastic resin. But this actually makes it very lightweight & easier to use once you get used to it. It is solid & not the least bit flimsy. The blue center piece is metal so its just as precise, because the resin arms are anchored in metal. This compass is easier to adjust than any other compass, but also holds its setting more securely - once you learn how to hold it. This is a Japanese import so it will take longer to receive. Honestly my biggest disappointment is why this product is not sold in America. I guess everyone here wants a metal ones, but this compass is better than all the metal ones I have. perhaps if you work in construction or an industrial environment I could see the need for it to be more "indestructible" but for general use like drafting or art, this is the best compass you will find.

I have been searching for a compass to help with drawing sacred geometry art and this is finally the one I love. It is nice and sturdy and stays consistent when drawing figures like the seed of life so you get a concise construction as long you're accurate with placement. It has an option to use pencil/pen, which I love, and an extender arm for larger circles. I would expect to pay a much higher price for this kind of quality.

Straight to the points:1. It's an Staedtler product, but made in China (visible in the ad)2. It's all made from plastics.3. Feels good to work with4. Don't expect to be as sturdy as a metalic Staedlter compass.

The Staedtler compass does exactly what it is meant to. Having tried a few other "school" compasses this one is a cut above in design, and holds the lines better with a sturdy lightweight plastic. I like that is also comes with a few attachments so i can make bigger circles and have an extra led in hand. Very happy.

Regarding the product, it is not the *best* quality, however is only one alternatives that I found in this price range. It is the Ferocious Viking (link at bottom).This review is concerning the Staedtler school compass... this compass IS a good *school* compass, but it has three disappointing factors: 1) the extension bar was not adjustable, 2) pulling on the legs of the compass will cause the adjustment screw to turn ... not sure if that is a feature, but just thought I would mention it, and 3) the material is plastic and when drawing an arc, two hands are needed in order to prevent any wiggling and bending of the compass.All in all, the Staedtler school compass is just that- a school compass. It seems more delicate than I would like, but I wasn't willing to pay the $60+ dollars for a brass set. I went with it because of it is name brand, and I wasn't willing to try the Ferocious Viking compass. Knowing what I know now, I wish I had given the Ferocious Viking compass a try.see https://www.amazon.com/Ferocious-Viking-Combination-Precision-Extension/dp/B01N056BF1

Amazing compass! It is very stable as it has the adjustment in the middle. It's sort of a lock to make sure it doesn't open up/close in the process of using it. Comes with 2 VERY usefull accessories. One which is used to make larger shapes,arc's, etc. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a compass that they will be using for a very long time. I can say that my skills have improved using this compass. It just makes geometry easy. 5 stars.

I have a Staedtler compass that I bought in the early '90s and it is great. I bought this one from a good review (not on Amazon), but I am disappointed. The one I bought in the 90s does not move in or out without using the center dial, making it so the size is locked in (until you use the dial to change it). I thought this one would function the same way since it has the dial, but it can be squeezed or pulled without using the dial to change the opening size. I want it to be locked in so it does not move while I am making my circles. Having it slip while using it makes nearly as useless as those cheap ones you buy for kids at the back to school isle in a drug store. After I purchased it and discovered this flaw, I asked the question here on Amazon asking if it is supposed to function like this, or if I got a bad one. The answers are mixed - one saying only the dial makes it move, another saying they only use the dial (but do not say if that is the only way it moves), and a 3rd saying using the dial makes it function the best but that it can be squeezed closed without using the dial. I was going to return the item & get a different one, but I don't have confidence that a different one would function any differently. I was going to return, but missed the timeframe to do so.

It's an all around handy and portable tool. Great bargain and the best part is that although it is made out of plastic with tactical metal part it feels well made and extremely light. I build models and I am constantly having to paint circles and also measure distances between parts. Great deal, I highly recommend this compass.