How To Choose The Best Mechanical Pencils?

There is no shortage of mechanical pencil varieties out there. While it might seem tempting to pick out the first one that looks right, there are various variables at play here and you have to keep them in mind when making a decision. In this blog post, let’s tackle the hard question of which is the best mechanical pencil for you.

What Is the Best Mechanical Pencil?

It is a question long-pondered over by writers across the globe: which is the best lead pencil? It isn’t an easy answer, for what it is worth, it can boil down to a sweet blend of objectivity and subjectivity and for what purpose said mechanical pencil will be used. Let’s further break down what makes it worthy of the title:

Quality of Materials

Not all Mechanical pencils are made equal. Some are made from good ol’ plastic whereas others use higher-grade materials like metal, titanium and even carbon fibre. 

The choice of materials used makes a huge difference in terms of the feel of a pen and pencil. Plastic build pens are lightweight and are fine for casual usage but lack that high-quality mechanical pencil fit and finish a metal or titanium pen would offer. They are also more durable and heavier and offer better overall control.

Consider the Mechanism

The favourite pastime for most of us, and we’re sure, was the clickity-click of a mechanical pencil. Adults and children are guilty of it alike. This mechanism is referred to as the Click Mechanism and is responsible for advancing the lead forward. There are a total of 4 common types of mechanisms:

• Click Mechanism: The most common, activated by pushing the button at the end.
• Twist Mechanism: This allows you to advance the lead by twisting the pencil’s barrel.
• Shake Mechanism: As the name might suggest, shaking the pen advances the lead which some people find more comfortable.
• Automatic Mechanism: These do the job for you. You simply need to advance the lead once. From there, lead is released as per the pressure applied to the tip. The extra sensation caused due to the cone around the lead isn’t everybody’s cup of tea.

Identify Your Purpose

It is not a bad idea to sit down and actually think about what you’ll be using this mechanical pencil for. The best mechanical pencil for writing would not necessarily be the best mechanical pencil for drawing. Let us explain how:

• Writing: Writing would require a thicker lead. Thin leads tend to break a little too easily when used solely for writing, especially by those with heavy hands. Look for medium lead sizes like 0.5mm 0.7mm or even 0.9mm.
• Sketching/Drawing: Opt for pencils with a wide range of lead grades (e.g., B for softer, darker lines or H for harder, lighter lines). You might also prefer pencils with adjustable lead advancement for precise control.
• Technical Drawing: Precision is key, so go for fine lead sizes like 0.3mm or smaller and a fixed sleeve to prevent lead wobbling.

Read More: A Comparative Analysis of Pen vs. Pencil For Optimal Journaling

Understanding lead sizes can make a huge difference. Here’s a quick, generalised, table to understand their typical use cases:

Check the Grip Design

A good grip wouldn’t make a mechanical pencil great, but a poor one ruins good mechanical pencils, especially if you have to write for extended periods. Various diameters and materials are used for a grip. Here are the most commonly found:

Grip Material

Most mechanical pencils come with a plastic or rubber grip, with plastic being the most common. It is quite inexpensive and does the job but it can be rather uncomfortable to hold for longer durations, especially if you have sweaty hands. Rubber and silicone grips can be firm or super squishy. Metal grips, on the other hand, remain cool to the touch for a much longer duration than plastic can and often win the cool mechanical pencils competition. 

Grip Diameter

The choice here is rather simple to make. Bigger grips tend to be more comfortable for people with bigger hands. As a general rule of thumb, the best mechanical pencil for students tends to be ones with a smaller diameter grip as kids have tiny hands.

Eraser

Most mechanical pencils include an eraser built-in. They’re rather small, as they’re meant to correct tiny mistakes on the fly and not be used as a dedicated eraser. So, they’re best used scarcely. While this really isn’t a make-or-break deal, it's almost a cherry on top, no pun intended, to have an eraser included with your pen. Bonus points if it is replaceable and high-quality.

Choose Best Seller: Bastion Aluminum Mechanical Pencil

Looking for the best mechanical pencil to include in your EDC collection or gift to a friend? Look no further than the timelessly classic Bastion Mechanical Pencil. Available in a variety of materials, from super-lightweight carbon fibre to heavy-duty titanium, and in numerous colours, there’s a combination to suit everyone. From note-taking to sketching, it's well suited for any writing task you through at it.

Conclusion

With so many options available in the market, picking out a singular option can get rather overwhelming. If possible, try out a few pencils and see how they feel in your hand. Plus, online reviews are always useful. In a nutshell, the best lead pencil is the perfect fusion of aesthetics, durability and quality, and it serves your primary purpose. 

FAQs

Is the 0.7mm Mechanical Pencil Any Good?

Depends on what you’re using it for. It is the most common lead size and provides a writing style and feel that is similar to that of a ball-point pen, one that is on a finer level

What is the Strongest Lead for Mechanical Pencils?

4H is the hardest mechanical pencil lead grade primarily used for drafting and technical drawing. 

What Size Mechanical Pencil is Best for Drawing?

Any lead size below 0.7 is preferred for drawing as it allows for finer lines and details. However, this could vary depending on your art style.