Mechanical pencils

Which lead size should you choose?

Most mechanical pencils take 0.5 or 0.7 mm leads. A 0.5 mm lead draws fine lines, ideal for notes and technical drawing. A 0.7 mm lead breaks less easily, so it suits anyone who presses hard, and children. The Kaweco Special comes in 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9 and 2.0 mm. For sketching, there are clutch pencils with a thick lead, such as the Kaweco Sketch Up and the Caran d'Ache Fixpencil (2 or 3 mm).

Push button, twist or clutch

On a push-button pencil, such as the Lamy Safari, one click advances the lead. On a twist pencil, such as the Leuchtturm1917 Drehgriffel or the pencils from Graf von Faber-Castell, you turn the barrel. A clutch pencil holds a thick lead in a small grip: press the button and slide the lead out as far as you like.

Mechanical pencils by brand

Kaweco has the widest choice, from the compact Sport to the Special in five lead sizes. Caran d'Ache makes mechanical pencils in its 849 and Ecridor ranges, plus the Fixpencil for drawing. Lamy is a favourite at school and in the office, with the Safari, the AL-Star and the Lamy 2000. Graf von Faber-Castell and Faber-Castell offer classics in wood and precious resin, and Leuchtturm1917 makes the twist pencil that goes with its notebooks.

Pencil or pen?

What you write with a mechanical pencil can be rubbed out, and it writes on any paper, even at an angle or upside down. If you prefer ink, have a look at our ballpoint pens, rollerball pens and fountain pens.

Frequently asked questions about mechanical pencils