Pentel 0.5mm P200 Series Mechanical Pencil Lead with Black Barrel

Product Information

The first and most important thing to consider before buying a mechanical pencil is the lead size. This will determine the type of lead you can load into the pencil—the lower the number, the finer the lead. Most pencils come in at least two sizes: 0.5 is the most common, followed by 0.7. The size you get will depend on what you’ll be using your pencil for. The rOtring mechanical pencil can easily last you a lifetime. It’s designed with a full metal body that gives it its 0.8-ounce weight heft. This provides a clear center of gravity, which results in cleaner, more precise lines. Still, this mechanical pencil is more than twice as heavy as the Pentel GraphGear 500, so if you’re not used to this weight, it may take you a bit longer to get used to it. Why it made the cut: OK, technically, a lead holder is not a mechanical pen, but it shares enough characteristics that it can pass as one. The Koh-i-Noor Mechanical Hardtmuth Lead Holder is a must-have if you don’t want to get your hands dirty while you sketch. The ability to advance a mechanical pencil lead without thinking about it makes the Uni Kuru Toga Roulette a safe bet for most people. Is 0.5mm or 0.7mm lead better?

Tip: Refill leads compatible with all mechanical pencils are also available in red, blue and green for use on paper, drafting film and tracing paper.

Keep in mind when considering leads that you’ll have the widest range of options when you choose a 0.5-size mechanical pencil. If you want to experiment with colored leads, for example, it’s unlikely that you’ll have a lot to choose from in a 0.3 size. Material Regular pencil-users will be all-too-familiar with the mountains of wood shavings that pile up with constant sharpening. The more you sharpen a pencil, the shorter it gets, and there’s nothing worse than finding out that your pencil’s lead is broken. Another obvious advantage is the longevity of a mechanical pencil. Provided you’ve bought the refills in advance, you don’t need to think about replacing your pencil when it has reached the end of its life. There are some arguments to suggest that mechanical pencils are more environmentally friendly, though this should be taken with a pinch of salt. While mechanical pencils do have the advantage of being reusable, most are made of plastic which is not as sustainable as wood. How much should I spend? Blistercard containing 1 Mars micro, line width 0.5 mm and 1 lead tube Mars micro carbon 250 05-HB free of charge

Decades of experience and deep connections in the everyday carry industry give us a unique viewpoint on the market to inform our product recommendations. We have the depth of information for thousands of products that have come before and an extensive eye on the market to see what's new and trending for each piece of gear. The result is a buying guide that we feel is informative and useful for EDCers of every trade, industry, and budget. What is Everyday Carry? Tombow Mechanical Pencil: Many mechanical pencil enthusiasts use a Tombow Mono eraser with their EDC because of its superior erasing power compared to most pencil erasers. You can carry one item with the Tombow Mechanical Pencil because it has the same quality eraser at the rear of the pencil itself. When the lead runs out, there are two very easy ways in which you can refill STAEDTLER mechanical pencils with pencil leads: For a reliable and affordable mechanical pencil, the Kuru Toga is a great choice, made by the Japanese Mitsubishi Pencil Company, which is also responsible for manufacturing the popular Uni-ball pen range.EDC enthusiasts prefer writing with mechanical pencils because they feature sturdy metal or plastic construction. I also like the refillable lead because I often break the graphite on traditional pencils. The convenience and practicality of carrying a mechanical pencil make them the best choice for drafters, artists, and students. There's even a case for using mechanical pencils over traditional pencils because of their environmental impact. Research goes either way on the matter. The University of British Columbia suggests the choice lies in personal preference. A Staedtler Mars was one of my first quality everyday carry mechanical pencils. It's a lead holder, which means, unlike a standard design with a bunch of thin-diameter graphite shafts, the Staedtler Mars comes with a 2mm lead with an integrated lead sharpener that functions with the pushdown mechanism. It comes with HB hardness lead, and you can rotate the metal clip to the correct indicator point for the particular lead you place into it to remind you of what you have loaded. The lead holder design makes it closer to a traditional pencil in concept, built sturdier and significant for all-around everyday carry. It's affordable, too, but don't mistake being cheap for poor quality. The best mechanical pencil is a reliable tool when it comes to drawing, sketching or jotting down notes. Unlike a pen, there’s no risk of leaking, and it’s much more forgiving when it comes to making mistakes. A mechanical pencil aims to eliminate many of the issues associated with its traditional cousin. Instead of sharpening, lead is fed through the nib with the simple push of a button. And when the lead has run out, it can be replaced. If you find you’re using a pencil a lot, for work or otherwise, a mechanical pencil can be a great investment.

Another great feature of the MONO graph is its eraser, which you can twist in and out easily. The eraser is over an inch long, and you can buy eraser refills, so you’ll always be able to fix your mistakes.

Sick of blunt pencils? Get yourself a mechanical pencil and put your sharpening days behind you

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now. Many people rely on the consistent, high-quality lines you can get only from a mechanical pencil in their daily work. Students might use them to sketch in art class or work through math formulas, while professionals might draft floorplans or take notes during meetings. Whatever the case, an excellent mechanical pencil can be a great way to round out your carry. In this guide, we've put together some of the best mechanical pencils you can find that would make a perfect addition to any EDC setup. Why it made the cut:The Tombow MONO graph mechanical pencil is a durable, affordable writing tool full of features you won’t have to splurge on. Blistercard containing 1 mechanical pencil, line width 0.5 mm in assorted barrel colours and 1 Mars micro carbon 250 05-HB Not all mechanical pencils will fit your needs. Although we can’t help you become a better writer, we can help you point out what makes a great mechanical pencil. Here’s what to know when shopping for the best mechanical pencils: Size of lead

In contrast to mechanical pencils, leadholders are refilled by pressing the push-button to open the drop clutch mechanism and inserting the 2-mm lead (Mars carbon 200) into the leadholder via the tip. Why it made the cut: In 1989, rOtring established a new benchmark of precision with the launch of the 600-series pencils. These writing tools were designed specifically for technical drawing and durability, a standard that continues today. Why it made the cut: Yes, Pentel already launched the GraphGear 1000, an allegedly better and improved version of this classic mechanical pencil. But the original GraphGear 500 is really all you need—it’s more affordable, reliable, and unlike its successor, still looks like a classic mechanical pencil. There’s a reason why Japanese retailer Muji made their gravity mechanical pencil line look (and feel) exactly like it. Bernard is known for bringing everyday carry out of obscurity and into the mainstream, having been published or featured in various publications such as GQ, TIME Magazine, The New York Times, VICE, HYPEBEAST, Outside, and many others. He has also played a part in curating, designing, and developing digital and physical products, resulting in successful crowdfunding projects or limited edition collaboration products with established softgoods brands. He stays on the pulse of the EDC industry by attending trade shows, participating in online interest communities, and actively engaging with fellow gear enthusiasts on social media.The GraphGear 500 releases the lead through a 4mm lead sleeve, which provides greater paper visibility, making it perfect for working on small details or using rulers. This mechanical pencil comes in four different sizes (0.3mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm, and 0.9mm), and the writing on the barrels is color-coded to reflect that, making it easier to find the exact tool you need for the job. To help with this, the GraphGear 500 also has Pentel’s signature lead grade indicator built into the eraser cap, so you can know exactly what you’ve loaded your pencil with at all times. A wood pencil is one of the first things most people learn to write with as they grow up, but because they break easily, regular pencils don't feature that often in people's everyday carry. I use my trusty mechanical pencil whenever I need a pencil in my EDC. Holds up to 12 pencil leads in one go = the total contents of a typical STAEDTLER lead tube, allowing you to work longer without refilling Just like the Tombow, the Dr. Grip features a shaker mechanism that pushes the lead down the barrel when you shake the pencil up and down. You can also advance the lead the traditional way by pressing the push button on the top, so you always have the option depending on what you find most comfortable at the time. Thanks to its ergonomic triangular shape, the pencil sits comfortably in the hand ensuring relaxed and easy writing. It is particularly suitable for those who spend a lot of time writing with a pencil.