Best Mechanical Pencils in 2018

Most people prefer using mechanical pencils due to a number of reasons, including that they:

After all, some people cannot simply resist the temptation to possess a branded masterpiece. Mechanical pencils work by advancing lead either through a push mechanism located at the end of the eraser or through a screw-based system. Pencils with a lead advancement structure require no sharpening and are perfectly suited for uninterrupted work.

There is nothing sophisticated about how to use mechanical pencils. They are employed in the same way as standard ones with the only difference being that you don’t need to sharpen them. New lead is advanced instead.

Depending on the type of mechanism, just screw the pencil or click until new lead comes out. When one lead piece is used up, click again until the next one appears. When all of them are out, add more lead of the appropriate size through a hole under the button, which is hidden under the eraser. How long does one piece of lead last? It depends on its length and your work intensity.

All mechanical pencils are not the same. There are different types of them where different systems for the lead dispensing are applied.

Other types of mechanical pencils differ by lead thickness, because thin and thick leads are used for different purposes. They can be developed either for school (bright and scented) or for business people (vintage and expensive), can be covered in plastic or in metal, etc.

The ACT and the SAT are different tests that are governed by different institutions. However, both disallow using mechanical pencils, as stated in their official rules. They report that the test will not be scored in the proper way if it is written with a pen or mechanical pencil. Test instructions suggest bringing regular no 2 pencils.

To answer the previous question, several theories can be put forward as to why mechanical pencils cannot be used during these tests. One of the most popular theories is that scantron machines are not able to scan the text if it written with a mechanical pencil. The thing is that older types of scantrons work by blasting paper with light, so the answer can be checked if the light is entirely blocked from coming through the paper. The graphite in No. 2 pencils is good at blocking the light. Graphites of lighter weights and pen ink don’t block enough light and lead to “false positives.”

Internet orders have really become the easiest and quickest way of getting goods without leaving your home and wasting your time. It just takes a couple of clicks and the purchase is done.

Mechanical pencils are always available for sale in big online stores, like Amazon or other professional e-stores that sell stationery items. Operating with a huge amount of customers, they always grant discounts for wholesale purchases. Famous companies that specialize in pencils are a perfect variant to buy a professional writing device. Everyone can choose a supplier appropriate for one’s needs and budget.

Check the side of the pencil to find out what graphite size is used in it. Remove the cap (eraser end) and insert lead for replacement, then place the cap back.

Thousands of various pencil brands are currently available on the market. All companies that manufacture mechanical pencils have an amazing variety of items used for writing, drawing, or drafting. Greatly ranging from $1 to $100 and sometimes more, they are all interesting because even the cheapest one is able to give several years of non-stop service.

Here is a short brands list of tried-and-trusted manufacturers whose pencils are best-selling and have an acknowledged reputation: rOtring, LAMY, OHTO, Pilot, Faber-Castell, Pentel, Zebra, Caran d’Ache, Parker, Uni, Cross, Staedtler, Platinum.

Japanese pencils are considered the most interesting specimens: check out their latest development – the self-sharpening pencil, Uni Kuru Toga. Surprisingly, they are immensely popular in this super-developed country.

You cannot fix a broken pencil unless it can be replaced under warranty (for luxury class tools). A lead jam is the most common issue, which may happen in mechanical pencils. Little bits of lead (or grease) get stuck in the mechanism and prevent it from working. In this case, lead is not advanced or it may click forward but get pushed back in again after you start using the tool.

To clear a jam, the pencil should be dismantled. Unscrew the part near the tip, so you can see the inner mechanism. If you push the button down against your table, the clutch system pushes up. You will see a ring around the clutch jaws that holds them closed. Push the ring down, and it will release the jaws. In this open state, a tiny bit of lead will displace. If you cannot open the mechanism, insert a thin pin or wire through the tip to remove a stuck lead piece. Don’t force anything too wide inside. This job needs a steady hand to be performed without snapping it.

Architectural and mechanical drawing or sketching have different demands than a mere writing process. It requires experimenting to find out what feels right for your style. Lead thickness is of paramount importance here. Rough sketching will benefit from fat lines provided by thick lead types. Consider using dual clutch pencils, as more of them are adjusted for thicker leads. 0.5 mm is the classic size for most technical styles. In fact, 0.5 mm pencils are so versatile that they are used by many people in all sorts of styles. More detailed art drawing will probably require the finest lines delivered by 0.3 mm leads.

The pencil history dates back to early 1882 when English engineers and inventors John Hawkins and Sampson Mordan invented and patented the first mechanical pencil. Eleven years later, James Bogardus patented it in the United States. Only in 1879 in New York City, was the first true mechanical pencil with a push button clutch made by Joseph Hoffman, although it did have certain drawbacks.

In 1915 in Japan, this problem was fixed by Tokuji Hayakawa, who created the “Ever-Ready Sharp Pencil.” As it had huge success, his company was named after the pencil (“Sharp”) and started a manufacturing process. Now we know it as a large electronics corporation.

We know who patented the first mechanical pencils and gave them a modern appearance. However, the question “who invented them first?” stays open, because in fact, this writing tool has existed in variable forms for more than five centuries. The first pencil image resembles a modern mechanical pencil even more than a wooden one. The first picture, dated 1567, shows a wooden stick with replaceable graphite. Of course, that antique device didn’t have all up-to-date clicking mechanisms as a lead pencil, but still they share a lot of common features. The first propelling pencil that used a spring was found aboard the wreckage of the HMS Pandora, a ship that sank in 1791.

Nothing can beat handwritten fonts, because they add a touch of personality to any graphic project or text and bring a sense of artistry. Both digital and print platforms favor a handwritten style more than traditional fonts. Here are some well-known modern fonts:

Most of these fonts are really cool and available online for a free download, if someone is inspired to do so by some special one.

The Graf von Faber-Castell Perfect Pencil is rated by connoisseurs as one of the most expensive pencils in the world. This unique thing is crafted with 18-carat white gold and 240 year-old olive wood. It includes three beautiful diamonds and a handy built-in eraser. Just fancy that its cost estimates at $12,800!