Is a metal compass (for drawing cirlces) better than the plastic kind?

The metal compass is a much better weapon to use against the slasher who’s terrorizing your high school than the plastic.

@frdelrosario College actually…you might say the professor is a big fan of plastic…

The metal is the way to go according to this site.

“Compasses are used for drawing circles and arcs of circles. The cheaper class of instruments are made of brass, but they are unsatisfactory on account of the odor and the tendency to tarnish. The best material is German silver, as it does not soil the hands, has no odor, and is easy to keep clean. Aluminum instruments possess the advantage of lightness, but on account of the softness of the metal they do not wear well.”

@Marina Thanks!

Yes. Plastic is soft and so does not hold up like the metal ones. And the metal one has a sharp point so it stays put…not sure about the plastic ones unless they add a metal point. Plus, metal doesn’t leach toxic chemicals when it is burned and can rust away where as plastic is basically eternal.

Metal compasses are much than plastic at punching holes in notebook papers for a 3-ring binder.

The claim that they hold a setting for longer and with more precision is not unfounded. I’ve used at least 20 different compasses in my lifetime (~10 each of plastic and metal.) You can, of course, still purchase cheap metal compasses, such as the elementary school variety into which you secure a no. 2 pencil into a little plastic holder, but even those hold the setting far better than any plastic compass.

The gears/fasteners/screws on plastic compasses are just not meant to last. In my experience, they really can’t be fine-tuned to a particular angle, as the sliding mechanism is sticky/slippery, and either skips past your setting, or slips out of place. Quality metal compasses generally use a reliable metal thread system to dial in your setting and expand the arms evenly and hold them there.

Personally, I’m a bit harsh with my instruments and have bent many a metal point. I recommend a brand like Rotring, which manufactures thicker, sturdier points. I have the first listing of this type.