The mechanical pencil is one of the most convenient and efficient tools for drawing and writing. They are great for a variety of uses and there are several reasons you may choose one pencil over another. Comfort, lead thickness, size and grip type are just a few of the factors that are worth considering.
Whatever your project or work requirements, the following reviews and buyers guide will help you find the best mechanical pencil for your needs.
Here are the best mechanical pencils in Australia:
1. Pentel Graphgear 1000 Mechanical Pencil (Top Pick)
Some of the best mechanical pencils are found in the Pentel Graphgear series. These quality pencils are great for sketching and the rubber grip ensures ultimate comfort and control. These pencils are built to last with their strong, brushed steel barrel.
This pencil is highly functional with a refillable eraser and a sliding sleeve that allows you to advance and retract the lead. There is a lead grade indicator and the set comes with 3 refill leads. These mechanical pencils are a good weight and are well balanced. They are available with lead sizes of 0.3mm, 0.5 mm, 0.7mm and 0.9mm so you can choose the one with the thickness you need.
The document clip is a handy feature and you can retract the lead when not in use with the toggle side clip so the point doesn’t snap away or accidentally draw on your documents when loose in your bag.
What We Like:
- High quality
- Comfortable to hold and use
- Available in various sizes
What We Don’t Like:
- Some users may not like the textured metal grip
2. Zebra DelGuard 0.5mm Lead Mechanical Pencil (Best Value)
The Zebra DelGuard is a great budget mechanical pencil that absorbs writing pressure to prevent lead breakage. If you love mechanical pencils but find breaking lead frustrating, this is the perfect solution.
This pencil is very lightweight so you can write or draw for extended periods of time without strain. The built-in cushioning adjusts as you write without disturbing your flow or impacting the feel of writing.
The 0.5mm pencil is an all-rounder that offers great value and is available in 5 colours.
What We Like:
- Prevents lead from breaking
- Lightweight
- Great value
What We Don’t Like:
- No rubber on the grip
3. Uni Kuru Toga Pipe Slide Mechanical Pencil
The Pipeslide mechanical pencil is part of the Kuru Toga series. It looks great and offers clean, consistent writing making it a suitable choice for professionals.
The pencil uses a lead rotation mechanism so as you draw or write the lead rotates keeping the tip sharp at all times. This is very efficient and makes these pencils easy to use. The lead is protected by the guide pipe so it should not snap as you are working.
The Pipeslide is made from plastic but is very sturdy with a core that is difficult to break. The pencil tip can be retracted when it is not in use to prevent damage. There are multiple colour options available.
What We Like:
- The tip is always sharp
- Looks smart
- Good quality
What We Don’t Like:
- Plastic body
4. Pentel Sharp Kerry Mechanical Pencil
The Pentel Sharp Kerry offers a combination of solid design, high-grade quality and style.
The materials used include plastic, stainless steel, brass, aluminium and iron. When it comes to aesthetics, this is a great looking pencil that has a matte finish and several colour options. The pencil is comfortable to hold and light enough for long sessions of writing or drawing.
This is a well-balanced pencil that is convenient to use. It also comes with a large cap making it pocket safe.
What We Like:
- Stylish
- High quality
- Comfortable and well balanced
What We Don’t Like:
- Can be slippery to use
5. Zebra Mini Mechanical Pencil
This small-sized pencil is a unique option ideal if you are looking for a slim, more slender option than traditional mechanical pencils. This 0.5 mm pencil is portable and can easily fit into the binder of most notebooks.
The metal body looks stylish and is very sturdy. It’s a convenient option that can easily be carried around and gives a solid writing experience.
This pencil is best suited for note-taking rather than writing for long periods of time.
What We Like:
- Small size
- Sleek model
- Easy to use
What We Don’t Like:
- Basic features
Mechanical Pencil Buyer’s Guide
There are many mechanical pencils available and each one offers something different. Finding an option that suits your needs and preferences is essential to being comfortable and reaping the true benefits. Use this guide to find the best mechanical pencil for your creative projects.
Benefits of a Mechanical Pencil
- Control
- Line consistency
- Variations of point fineness
- Durability
Methods of Lead Advancement
- Push button mechanism – this is the most common option, it features a push button at the top, side or on the clip of the pencil that moves the lead down the pencil when pushed.
- Shaker – this is relatively new and it allows you to shake the pencil to advance the lead. This lets you move the lead without shifting your grip every time.
- Twist – advance lead by twisting a knob on the pencil. The twist mechanism gives you control and precision over the lead length.
- Automatic – this lead advancement allows you to keep working as the lead moves down automatically when you apply pressure.
Grip
You can expect to be holding a mechanical pencil for a long time so the difference in grip styles is worth considering as you want to select a comfortable option. There are two key factors to consider when you are looking at the pencils grip; material and size.
Material: the grip on mechanical pencils varies a lot. You will find options that use plastic, rubber, silicone or metal. Plastic and metal grips both tend to be textured in some way to improve their stability. Rubber and silicone both offer a more cushioned grip.
Diameter (size): the diameter is important as you want the pencil to fit comfortably in your hand. If you have smaller hands you may look for a mechanical pencil with a smaller diameter. If you have larger hands or suffer from arthritis or similar issues you will likely prefer pencils with larger diameters.
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Lead Size
Understanding lead sizes will play a big role in deciding which product is best suited to your creative needs:
- 0.2mm – 0.4mm: Extra fine point ideal for detailed drawings and fine writing.
- 0.5mm – 0.7mm: Offers a heavier touch that can still handle fine line work.
- 0.9mm +: Sturdier lead that is suited to heavy-handed writers. The line thickness is much larger making it great for bold writing or sketching.
Extras
- Lead rotation – automatic lead rotation keeps lead sharp making sure your handwriting and drawing is always neat and precise.
- Eraser – some mechanical pencils offer built-in erasers which is a handy feature. Most of the time you will likely be using a separate eraser anyway but it can be a useful extra.
- Retractable tips – when it comes to tip design a retractable tip is very beneficial. It helps to prevent damage when carrying the pencil around. You can carry these pencils around in your pocket without being jabbed by the sharp tip so it improves the portability and convenience as well as the longevity of the pencil.
Mechanical Pencil FAQs
Drafting pencils are often used by architects, artists, designers and draftsmen for technical writing, sketching and drawing.
0.7mm is the best size for general use as it gives great results with day to day writing and sketching.
