Many reviewers complained about a variety of issues: jammed lead, broken lead, smashed barrels, etc. In addition to the standard lead advance mechanism on the top of the barrel, lead in this pencil can also be advanced simply by shaking it. Pentel Co., Ltd. (ぺんてる株式会社, Penteru Kabushiki Gaisha) is a privately held Japanese manufacturing company of stationery products. CONS: expensive, cheap eraser cap, tarnishes easily You can purchase it in a myriad of colors, and we especially like the classy look of the sky blue. At more than 25 dollars, it’s certainly an investment. However, this is a common issue for many mechanical pencils. Unlike the PaperMate Sharpwriter, this pencil is refillable. We tend to treat mechanical pencils like they’re disposable, but really, a good one should last you a long time. Refilling it was easy, and so was advancing the lead. GraphGear 500. A mechanical pencil is refillable and looks more professional than a traditional pencil. We mostly chose pencils sized 0.5 mm to 0.7 mm, but we also tested some larger sizes for those who like range. Retractable vs. capped: Standard mechanical pencils are retractable, but if you want to look more polished in the boardroom, Pentel makes a capped version. The Twist uses the best eraser mechanism there is, the P200 series is one of the best budget pencils and the Graph 1000 has been my top pick for quite some time. A wide barrel make this model more comfortable to hold and reviewers seem to appreciate the wide range of unique colours that are offered by the manufacturer. PROS: all-metal construction, strong clip, sleek design GraphGear 500. For a pencil to take on the go, we recommend the Pilot G-2 Mini Mechanical Pencil because it is small, inexpensive and has a retractable tip. Pentel Arts Brands Energel ® R.S.V.P. PROS: nicely weighted, excellent grip, smooth lead For jazzing up your kid’s pencil box? CONS: not suited to light writing, does not work for cursive or script writing, tip does not retract CONS: lead breaks easily Unlike most models that have the lead advance button at the top of the pencil, the Pentel Quicker Clicker button is located on the side of the barrel. Extra Fine Point ZL72. A removable eraser cap is unnecessary and will most likely be lost. Changing the lead is a little more difficult than usual, due to the very small opening the pencil provides to insert the lead. This feature is perfect for older individuals and those who suffer from arthritis because it makes it easier to grip. The only concern with the Paper Mate? The Quicker Clicker, which our testers described as “smooth and reliable,” comes in three line widths: 0.5mm, 0.7mm and 0.9mm. It is also sold with two replacement erasers. If you do not care about a retractable tip, then the rOtring 500, Kuru Toga Roulette, Pilot S20, Pentel Graph 1000 for pro, P20X is the one for you. Hi to all who are reading this! Grip Center of Gravity pencil offers one of the thickest barrels available on the market. PROS: retractable tip, all-metal construction We can see why. This is expensive and not the most environmentally-friendly option available. A high-quality mechanical pencil will almost always cost you less than a high-quality pen. We liked its slick design and its smooth feel, and at just a few dollars, it’s high quality for a low price. Your Best Digs saves you time and money with reviews of the products you need. PROS: consistent thickness, stays sharp, beautiful design Login to view price. But if you want a pencil with a big, squishy grip, we know the perfect one for you. CONS: not very sturdy, plastic PROS: shake lead advance mechanism, wide barrel, unique colours, retractable tip PROS: lightweight, extendable eraser Unsurprisingly, our testers had much stronger opinions about each pencil after being forced to write for minutes on end with each one. Uni – Kuru Toga Roulette: Similar to our runner up, but with an upgraded metal body and knurled grip. Their primary tester, a designer, actually loved their hues. The Pentel Orenz is a favourite among many artists. PROS: rotating window on the barrel, retractable tip, well-balanced weight The push button end cap is a black cylinder covering colored lead grade indicator which has a narrow ring of color at the base and on the top there is a plug of color with the lead size stamped in white. There are plenty of studies that show that handwriting engages your brain better than typing, and some would argue that the more tactile experience of graphite on paper connects you even more to your writing. It is quite expensive, but it has a nice weight and does not often require replacement lead. It’s smooth and reliable with fine lead that isn’t prone to breaking. Then, we conducted a focus group in which our testers used each pencil to write assigned sentences (that used every letter of the alphabet) and doodle their own whimsical creations. The length of the lead must be adjusted manually for a lead holder and if you are not careful, the entire lead will slide out of the holder. It is made of high-quality stainless steel, with a plastic grip. But just like we learned testing pens, the most expensive isn’t always the best. If you want a retractable tip then the GraphGear 1000, Kuru Toga Advance, or even the Pentel Sharp Kerry is the one for you. The upper part of the grip is striated but the lower portion is knurled in a square pattern. There are also more reports of durability issues with this model, despite the higher price point. This writing utensil does not include an eraser, but it does have a built-in sharpener to maintain a fine lead point. CDN$8.85. ® Wow! EnerGel 20th Anniversary Packs Campaigns Pentel Arts Spotlight Celebration of Art Pentel Creative Challenge EnerGel's 20th Anniversary Celebration This pencil is the sibling of the larger Pilot G-2, which could be considered more of a student grade pencil. Though this pencil falls in the mid-range price category for mechanical pencils, many reviewers said that it was expensive, which leads us to believe that it does not offer a good value. Non-retractable pencils often poke holes through trouser pockets. Like other Kuru Toga pencils, the lead does not retract, making it somewhat difficult to carry in a pocket. That being said, the Kuru Toga Roulette Model is well-designed and routinely praised for its ability to stay sharp and maintain consistent lead thickness, even after hours of continuous use. This is useful if you often carry your pencil in your pocket and do not want to damage the pencil tip or your clothing. For this reason, we think it’s one of the best mechanical pencils for writing longform. Drafting pencil/DessinPencils In the professional grade category, there are many high quality options. The Pilot Dr. Our own recommendations, presented in the “Final Thoughts” section at the end of this article, are based entirely on user feedback. A solid 100. Its grip is a mixture of knurled metal and translucent rubber, which provides you with a comfortable and skidproof grip. It’s available with an extra-sharp 0.3mm size and writes precisely and smoothly. It also has a very smooth and soft rubber grip around the barrel for additional support. If you’re not writing longform content though, this pencil might still be for you. Materials and aesthetics: Just like other writing utensils, there are an array of colors and styles of mechanical pencils available. They have a much thinner construction of hard plastic, however, they remain fairly resilient pencils that can withstand many years of use and abuse. PROS: includes a built-in sharpener, solid metal grip Pentel GraphGear 1000. It doesn’t stand out for much except its uncomfortable grip and the distinctive way it makes you feel not-in-control of your own writing. Grip: A pencil grip won’t necessarily make your pencil more comfortable to use, and some people actually find them cumbersome. Some reviewers noted issues with the leads breaking inside the barrel of the pencil, but this could just as well be a problem with the lead, easily remedied by purchasing a different brand of replacement lead. This ensures a smooth application and a continuously sharp point. It also has a very modern and elegant design and balances well in the user’s hand. CONS: flimsy clip, tip does not retract Mechanical pencils can be used for a variety of purposes, including writing, sketching and drafting. Super Hi-Polymer Refill Leads. Some reviewers complained that this metal, rather than rubber or plastic, grip often causes callouses after extended use, but others preferred the tighter hold that it affords. Hey everyone! It also addresses the most common complaint – an eraser that is too small – for almost every mechanical pencil on the market with a longer, twistable and replaceable eraser. Like the Pilot Delful Mechanical Pencil, this product also has the ability to advance the lead simply by shaking the barrel of the pencil. Below, you’ll find that each brand is listed with a set of pros and cons and a brief description, based on our interpretation and summary of thousands of online consumer reviews and feedback from the WonderStreet community. The Rotring 600 is one of the pricier pencils available, but many reviewers insist that the price is justified by the superior quality of the product. It’s got a hardy plastic body and clear grip, and feels balanced in your hand. CONS: eraser cap loosens over time, replacement erasers are not easy to find PROS: good value, stainless steel grip, nicely weighted However, many reviewers preferred the 600 because of its unique lead indicator dial, which displays the thickness of lead that you are currently using. This one isn’t worth paying over five dollars for. Though this model has some fans, it is not as popular as other brands and perhaps for good reason. BIC – Xtra Sparkle: With a name like “Xtra Sparkle,” we didn’t expect this BIC to deliver high-octane pencil performance. It is well-balanced and comfortable to hold, but it is not the most robust, compared to other models. I was wondering if there is any significant difference between these two versions of the Pentel Graphgear. Cons: In this article, we’ve compared the best brands of mechanical pencils in two different categories – professional and student grade – to help you decide which one fits your needs. Pilot – Color Eno: The Color Eno are the only “colored pencils” we tested, again due to their high number of reviews. However, he found that the lead broke easily and that the pencils were overall “not super reliable.”. If you’re looking for something that feels good to write with, but doesn’t cause a panic if you lose it, we recommend the Paper Mate – 34666PP Clearpoint. The grip is knurled, meaning that there is a textured pattern rolled into the material by a lathe during the manufacturing process. If a lead holder, rather than a mechanical pencil is more your style, the Staedtler Mars 780 Technical Lead Holder is a great option, because it includes a built-in sharpener and a strong metal grip. Pentel Graphlet 500, Part 2 Let me be the first one to admit that I was wrong about the grip on the Pentel Graflet 500, well mostly wrong anyway. PROS: functional eraser, twist advance lead mechanism, durable CONS: plastic, leads break easily, tip does not retract The M701 is not an exception. CONS: not suited to light writing, no grip, small eraser, expensive, tip does not retract The Zebra lost points because it felt especially heavy, which can tire your hand out over time. CONS: eraser becomes loose after repeated use We've compiled a list of the Best Graphgear 500 Vs 1000 of 2019 to buy, including Top (Highest) Rated Graphgear 500 Vs 1000 Reviews on Amazon.com, eBay, Walmart, Best Buy, Reddit. The price is also on the lower end of the spectrum with regards to professional-grade mechanical pencils. Pentel – GraphGear 500: We loved the GraphGear 1000, but its little brother didn’t make the same impression. Many of the world’s premium mechanical pencils have been designed and manufactured in Germany and Japan, two countries known for their dedication to high-quality engineering and attention to detail. These leads come in a variety of different thicknesses and can be advanced through the pencil using several possible mechanisms. Most have just a small nub of rubber that does not properly remove lead marks and wears down quickly. CONS: brittle plastic prone to breaking CONS: flimsy clip The quality is fairly high, with only one reported defect. PROS: functional eraser, inexpensive, replacement lead and erasers are not difficult to find To find the best mechanical pencil, we scoured forums like r/mechanicalpencil and blogs like The Pen Addict (Brad and his friends also love pencils) and Bleistift to get an idea of the pencils the obsessives like best. However, the tip does not retract (unlike the Pilot model), which is a frustrating oversight in a pencil that is meant to be portable. CONS: no eraser, plastic barrel, no click lead advancement This means that the user does not have to stop writing and move his or her hand to advance the lead. Unsurprisingly, it was sub-par in almost every way. From one of the world’s most recognizable names in stationary, the Faber-Castell GRIP PLUS Mechanical Pencil offers a solid option for a good price. I’ve had a chance to use the Pentel Graph Gear 1000 for a few weeks at this point and it’s become one of my favorite in the Graph Gear line. Several reviewers commented on the fact that the manufacturer used to make this product out of aluminum, but has since replaced metal with plastic. hi-polymer super leads hi-polymer super leads hi-polymer ain hi-polymer ain stein lead ain ain stein colour lead colour lead. From primary school to the university, the Paper Mate ClearPoint offers the best value for students because it is designed for taking notes with its side lead advance button and twistable eraser. Tell us about your favourite brand of mechanical pencil in the comments section at the bottom of this page. 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