The World of Mechanical Pencils

A mechanical pencil is similar to your average pencil. There are however two primary differences.

With a Mechanical Pencil the lead can be easily replaced. Secondly you can easily advance the lead. This means that simply clicking will push the lead however far you want.

With a Mechanical Pencil you can change the lead type or color when it suits you. There is also no need to sharpen the lead.

There are several advantages to mechanical pencils over wooden pencils...

1. No need to sharpen - Lead refills come in a large range of sizes and they don't need to be sharpened because they are already so thin and fine.

2. Consistent line - Because of their size refills offer a consistent mark on paper.

3. Balance - The size and weight of a mechanical pencil doesn't change enough to affect the balance in our hand. Most are designed to sit well in our grip.

4. Refillable - When you run out of lead simply put more lead refills inside it.

5. Environmentally friendly - Because of their refillable nature you can use the same mechanical pencil over and over again. Assuming your mechanical pencil is of reasonable quality, and you treat it with respect, there is no reason why your mechanical pencil can't last for a very long time. Some mechanical pencils are even made of recycled material.

6. They feel better to write with - Many mechanical pencils come with padded grips and are shaped ergonomically.

7. Choice - There are so many styles and design of mechanical pencils there is sure to be one perfect for your needs. There is even an opportunity to make a fashion statement with your choice. I do, everyday.

8. Precision - Drafters and those that use pencils to construct designs need precision and mechanical pencils provide this. Mechanical Pencils also provide the necessary precision to write Kanji (Asian pictograph writing system). Those with small handwriting can also benefit from this precision.

9. Look cool - Arguably mechanical pencils look better than your average wood pencil. To me anyway.

10. Versatility - A mechanical pencil can be a part of a multi-pen that you can carry around in place of multiple pencils or pens. This makes life much easier for me. Multi-pens can also have a mechanical pencil, and different colored pens all in the one pen - hence the name multi-pen. Some multi-pens come with three pencils in one - all with different lead sizes. These are my favorite mechanical pencils.

11. No mess - No pencil shavings, no lead smudges.

12. Easier to erase - Depending on the lead you use mechanical pencils can be better for computer scanned test papers and work where neatness counts. Make sure you have a good eraser too.

13. Portable. Many designs feature clips and retractable points making mechanical pencils easy to carry around without stabbing yourself in the thigh or piercing a hole in your pockets.

14. Attached eraser - Most mechanical pencils come with an eraser attached.

When you are next shopping for a Mechanical Pencil consider the following features;

Lead Size - Lead sizes vary from 0.2 right up to several millimeters in width. Make sure the pencil you choose has the right sized lead.

Lead Sleeve - This can be conical (for writing) or long and thin (for drafting). The sleeve helps to protect your lead from breaking.

Retractable Tip - The great mechanical pencils can retract their lead sleeve to protect your pockets and the sleeve itself in when you are on the move.

Lead Grade Indicator - This allows you to remind yourself or others what grade of lead you are using - HB, 2B etc

Grip - Some pens have a rubber grip, others a metal serrated grip. Some have ergonomic triangular grips. Choose one to suit your needs.

Clip - I have a Mechanical pencil with a swivel clip to attach to pockets, books or lanyards. My most expensive mechanical pencil doesn't have one at all.

Lead Advance - Most mechanical pencils have a simple top press button to advance the lead, others advance because of a twist or even a shake. Which one would you prefer?

Eraser - Some mechanical pencil erasers are too small and hidden away inside the pencil itself. Others are quite big. I prefer a separate eraser pen altogether.

Cap - I don't like caps on the end of my mechanical pencils. Others love them. Some people even like a cap on the front of their mechanical pencils so they look like fountain pens. Each to their own.

If you need to find out about Mechanical Pencils in general, or one pencil in particular, you have to try Dave's website. You can go there by clicking here.

If you consider yourself a Mechanical Pencil aficionado but haven't seen his website then you are just a pretender. Seriously, where have you been? You may be interested in his article Top 5 Mechanical Pencils. I can easily spend hours on his website.

When you arrive at Dave's website you will notice the conspicuous absence of advertisements. This guy is for real. He writes about Mechanical Pencils for the sheer love of it. Nothing more, nothing less.

Thanks Dave for your tireless work.

If you are a Mechanical Pencil addict too and want me to add your web page or resource to this lens please contact me (Atticus Parker). Use the Guest Book below or access my profile.