10 best Mechanical Pencils that are a designer's delight
“A pencil and a dream can take you anywhere." - J. A. Meyer
Few things in life makes you feel content and nostalgic. Pencils, being one of them, lead you to etch the memory lane. Pencils are the tool that accelerates one’s imagination and creativity. Amidst jotting records on the tablet and the nostalgia of breaking the pencil lead lies the mechanical pencil. Phones and pens are definitely the options, but if you are the type that likes the hum sound and the ease of not using a white ink, then mechanical pencils are ideal.
A mechanical pencil is a must-have in a designer’s toolbox as it is convenient to carry and to travel with, fuss-free to use and also gives smooth and consistent lines. A high-quality mechanical pencil almost always costs less than a high-quality pen.
We have spent weeks scrutinizing mechanical pencils that makes your life easier. The following are our favorites. To find the best ones, we considered features like the lead size and grade, the material, the grip, the comfort with which it glides on a paper, lead advancement, aesthetics also keeping in mind the budget.
We have most carved out 0.5mm mechanical pencils for technical drawings to 3.5mm lead holders for sketching and everything in between.
All Rounder
The Rotring Rapid Pro is a piece of functional German engineering that is a joy to behold. It is an all-metal pencil with a non-slip knurled grip that delivers ideal balance of weight and comfort. It comes with a built in sharpener under the push cap button for ease of use. This pencil is the perfect buy for designers and writers and artists alike who might need to dive onto a paper anytime.
For sketching and writing
The Staedtler 925-25 pencil features Staedtler's distinctive industrial styling and exceptional build quality. It is beautifully made and has a nice weight, with its metal barrel giving it a premium feel. This metal-bodied drafting pencil is a perfect tool for artists, writers, and designers. It has a 4mm long sleeve for ease of drafting and a knurled anti-slip for tireless writing and drawing.
For drafting
The Ohto Promecha 1570P is a professional drafting pencil that's in a league of its own. This is for the technical professional looking to set every detail according to one’s comfort. You can customize everything from the length of lead dispensed with each click to the length of the guide pipe. By twisting the grip, you can adjust the lead sleeve length from 0 mm to 4 mm. This pencil also features an adjustable lead grade indicator and a removable clip, and has a full aluminum body.
Best in budget
The Faber Castell TK 9400 Pencil is perfect for drafting and technical drawings. It features a hexagonal barrel which tapers slightly to a round grip and which is sturdy enough to protect a retracted lead. The pencil is a superbly balanced drawing tool, with a metal clutch which holds the lead firmly.
For drafting and in budget
The Pentel Graph1000 is the most popular amongst drafters and professionals. It has a brass three jaw clutch mechanism with a 4mm long guide pipe for a clear view. The chiselled mechanical tube with silicone enhancers provide the perfect grip required for the precision in drafting.
For sketching and scribbling
The LAMY Scribble is anything but a reckless drawing of lines. This bulky yet sophisticated pencil has a comfortable weight and features an ergonomic shape. It is available in a 0.7 and 3.15 mm lead size, and in a black and aluminum clip style. It features a detachable clip for a more streamlined look. This pencils stands at the best for conceptual sketching and scribbling ideas on paper.
For even lines
The Pilot Uni Kurutoga is a technical pencil with mechanism to avoid mistakes in line thicknesses and gives an even line. It eliminates the problem of getting a slant edge on the lead with the use of an ingenious lead rotation mechanism that continually rotates the pencil lead as you write. This body design features a lovely metallic body with white clip, giving the pencil a soft look. The ridges in the grip area support your fingers as you write, making writing more comfortable. The capped eraser is refillable.
8. Maries Mechanical Clutch Pencil
For artists
The Maries Mechanical Clutch pencil is an artist's preferred illustrating medium - be it to do hand lettering, shade or sketch. This lead holder has a clutch mechanism which grips the lead to its last bit. It has a uniform plastic body with a metal tip and rubberized grip. This is a versatile writing, drawing and sketching tool which also fits in a low budget.
Modern look
The Worther Spiral Field comes in a black anodized aluminum body with a stainless steel clip. The design is ergonomic made with hexagonal profiles, twisted to give spiraling lines. This is a perfect buy to keep in the office to make an impression.
Thick and bold lines
Koh-i-noor’s sleek and solid metal lead holder writes at one end and sharpens at the other. It is designed to accommodate a hefty—and extremely versatile—5.6-millimeter lead which is beveled for a comfortable grip, and is equipped with a built-in sharpener at the top. This is designed for artists to set free and enjoy the feel of the fuss-free thick graphite in your hands.