This apparatus is used for penetration test on a wide variety of materials such as greases, petroleum, bitumen, tar,wax, polish, food stuff, rubber asphalts and pharmaceutical creams. A given force is applied over a given period of times and the depression is made in the sample which is measured in tenths of a millimeter and expressed as penetration. It consists of a head Support mounted on a vertical rod which can be adjusted for height. A rack and pinion and pointer assembly provides fine adjustment of needle tip tosample and in corporates a slipping clutch mechanism which make reading of penetration and subsequent resetting a sample and accurate operation. The dial graduate from 0-400 in one tenth millimeter sub Division. The Instrument is supplied with two sample containers.