good mechanical pencils for drawing
The best mechanical pencils for artists and designers
Included in this guide:
The best mechanical pencils are an improvement on normal wooden ones because they're more neat, precise and consistent. You never need sharpen them because the graphite (aka 'lead') sits in a well that's built into the pencil. Instead, you simply click to extend it as it wears down, and then replace it once it's gone.
Mechanical pencils are great for writing, drawing, sketching and drafting. They're used by architects or engineers drafting plans and diagrams; artists working on sketches and drawings; designers mocking up wireframes, and just anyone looking for an attractive way to produce handwriting or take notes.
Below you'll find the best mechanical pencils available in 2021. However, if you're looking for another kind of pencil, check out our guides to the best pencils of all kinds, the best pens for artists and the best watercolour pencils available today.
- Check out the best Black Friday deals
Mechanical pencils for drawing
Whether you use them for quick sketches, technical drafting, mockups, wireframes or expressive artwork, the best mechanical pencils let you create measured lines with precision and accuracy. For most drawing, a 0.5mm lead is best, although 0.7mm may be better for sketching and non-detailed work.
Here we present our pick of the best mechanical pencils for all types of drawing. Once you've bought one, check out our top pencil drawing techniques to help you make the most of it.
01. Uni Kurutoga Pipe Slide 0.5mm
The best mechanical pencil for drawing overall
Specifications
Weight: 18.1g
Dimensions: 19.2 x 10 x 1.6cm
Lead diameter: 0.5mm
Mechanism: Pipe slide
Reasons to buy
+Self-sharpening +Special versions for Ghibli fans
Reasons to avoid
-0.7mm pencil rare outside Japan -Protective cap can come loose
The Uni Kurutoga Pipe Slide is a cut above a regular mechanical pencil, where the lead wears down on one side, forming a slanted, wedge-shaped tip. This can potentially cause variations in line thickness.
The Kurutoga avoids this through a clever mechanism that continually rotates the pencil lead as you write. A spring-loaded clutch twists the lead a tiny degree every time you lift the pencil from the paper, and this allows for a uniform wearing of the lead, and cleaner and more consistent lines as a result. That makes this the best mechanical pencil for drawing you can buy today.
02. Pentel 200
The best value mechanical pencil
Specifications
Weight: 10g
Dimensions: 0.89 x 14 x 0.89cm
Lead diameter: 0.3mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm, 0.9mm
Mechanism: Push-top button
Reasons to buy
+Value for money +Good all-rounder
Reasons to avoid
-Nothing exciting about it -Included eraser doesn't last long
Some of the best mechanical pencils are surprisingly affordable. And no more so than the Pentel 200 offers exceptional value for money. It's so cheap that you don't have to worry about losing it, or someone pinching it, making it a great option as a backup. But it's also a good all-rounder that will do fine as a main pencil for most people. Each of them comes with Super Hi Polymer HB leads and an eraser, and the set covers a range of lead thicknesses from 0.3mm to 0.9mm.
03. Rotring 800
The best mechanical pencil for sketching
Specifications
Weight: 90.7g
Dimensions: 5.1 x 15.2 x 0.5cm
Lead diameter: 0.5mm or 0.7mm
Mechanism: Twist and click
Reasons to buy
+High-end engineering +Luxury feel +Suitable for professionals
Reasons to avoid
-May be overkill for most purposes
If you're serious about your sketching, drawing or drafting, we recommend the Rotring 800. With its high-quality engineering, this top-of-the-range model offers a precise instrument and a luxury feel that befits daily use in a professional capacity.
It has a good weight (almost 91g), and the metal body feels solid in the hand. The non-slip metal grip 'twist and click' retractable mechanism makes it very easy and comfortable to use, even for lengthy sessions. And the hexagonal shape makes it less likely to slide off your desk, or even a slanted surface.
In short, if you're working on something special, working for long periods, looking for a gift, or just want a pencil that's a real pleasure to use, the Rotring 800 is a gem. It comes in two lead thicknesses, 0.5mm and 0.7mm; opt for the latter and you have the best mechanical pencil for sketching on this list.
04. Pentel Graphgear 500 Automatic Drafting Pencil
The best mechanical pencil for technical drawing
Specifications
Weight: 22.7g
Dimensions: 0.9 x 14.7 x 0.9cm
Lead diameter: 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 or 0.9mm
Mechanism: Button
Reasons to buy
+Lightweight but functional +Wide range of lead diameters
Reasons to avoid
-0.3mm lead can be tricky to source -Included eraser not the best
Working on diagrams and drawings where accuracy is a premium? The Pentel Graphgear 500 is the best mechanical pencil for technical drawing.
With a 4mm fixed sleeve, metallic-mesh grip and a barrel weighted at your fingertips, it's designed to help you draw precisely and stay in full control of the line. It works with a variety of lead thicknesses, and there's a built-in lead hardness indicator to help you identify your lead type quickly.
The weight feels good in the hand, and it's light enough to be comfortable over long sessions. In short, this is the best mechanical pencil for drafting and precision work, and it comes at a very affordable price.
Mechanical pencils for writing
The best mechanical pencils for writing
The best mechanical pencils for writing produce clean, consistent lines that make everything look precise and measured. A 0.5mm thickness is generally a good choice for handwriting, unless you tend to press hard on the page and often break your lead; in that case, a 0.7mm or even 0.9mm thickness might be preferable.
05. LAMY 2000
The best mechanical pencil for writing overall
Specifications
Weight: 18.1g
Dimensions: 1.2 x 1.2 x 13.7cm
Lead diameter: 0.5 or 0.7mm
Mechanism: Button
Reasons to buy
+Produces smooth, beautiful lines +Highly durable +Expect it to last years
Reasons to avoid
-May be overkill for some purposes
If you want one of the best mechanical pencils for writing, then we recommend the LAMY 2000. Based on the well-known fountain pen of the same name, designed by Gerd A. Müller in 1996, it's a true modern classic. Light enough to be flexible, but solid enough to feel dependable, it's very comfortable to hold and use, and it produces smooth, consistent handwriting.
This is a pen you can expect to last for years. Supremely reliable and durable, it might cost a bit more than rivals, but here you get what you pay for.
06. Uni Kurutoga Roulette
The best value mechanical pencil for writing
Specifications
Weight: 13.6g
Dimensions: 0.99 x 14.62 x 1.29cm
Lead diameter: 0.5mm
Mechanism: Button
Reasons to buy
+Self-sharpening +Great value
Reasons to avoid
-Included eraser is not great -Lighter than the LAMY 2000
The Uni Kurutoga Roulette is the best value mechanical pencil we've found for writing. It's comfortable to hold, with a nicely balanced weight and a knurled metal fingerplate for better grip. Its clever design, matching that of the Uni Kurutoga Pipe Slide (our number one mechanical pencil for drawing, above), means that it sharpens the lead consistently as you write. That helps you achieve a highly even stroke width to keep your handwriting neat, polished and attractive.
07. American Classic Mechanical Pencil 0.9mm
The most durable mechanical pencil for writing
Specifications
Weight: 7.8g
Dimensions: 15.24 x 5.84 x 1.78cm
Lead diameter: 0.9mm
Mechanism: Button
Reasons to buy
+Trusted brand +Super-tough +Should last a lifetime
Reasons to avoid
-Included eraser not great
If you want a mechanical pencil for writing that's reliable and durable, you want the American Classic 0.9mm Mechanical Pencil. It's been popular for decades within the armed forces and public institutions of the US, gaining a strong reputation for its consistency, toughness and clean lines. It's 0.9mm lead is super-thick and rarely breaks. Take proper care of it and it should last a lifetime, which puts the slightly higher cost into perspective.
08. Pentel Sharp Kerry Mechanical Pencil 0.5mm
The best mechanical pencil for professional writing
Specifications
Weight: 9.07g
Dimensions: 1.9 x 3.2 x 15.2cm
Lead diameter: 0.5mm
Mechanism: Button
Reasons to buy
+Precision engineering +Lead rarely breaks +Suitable for professionals
Reasons to avoid
-Pencil cap doesn't fit perfectly
Handcrafted using watchmakers' tools for precision, beauty and accuracy, the Pentel Sharp Kerry Mechanical Pencil 0.5mm is a high-end mechanical pencil with a luxury feel. It has a solid tip that makes breakage of the lead a rare occurrence. And the removable cap makes it super-portable. In production for many years now, this pencil is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to produce highly professional-looking writing.
How do mechanical pencils work?
With a normal pencil, once the graphite tip (commonly referred to as 'lead') has blunted, you need to sharpen it using a pencil sharpener. A mechanical pencil, in contrast, uses an internal spring to push the lead upwards into the barrel, when you press the button at the other end. When the lead has been fully used, you then simply insert a new replacement.
Why are mechanical pencils better than wooden pencils?
The main benefit of mechanical pencils is they don't need sharpening. This saves you a lot of hassle and mess. More importantly, it means mechanical pencils provide more consistent lines, enabling you to create more precise and accurate drawings, and neater handwriting. The fine lines also tend to be easier to erase.
Mechanical pencils are cost-effective in the long run because you only need to replace the lead once it has run out, not the whole pencil. And of course, you don't have to carry a sharpener with you all the time.
What are mechanical pencils used for?
Mechanical pencils are commonly used by professionals involved in technical drafting, such as engineers and architects. Many artists also prefer mechanical pencils, even for more expressive and imaginative work, because the size and weight of the lead remains consistent, whereas a wood pencil gets finer the more you sharpen it. Mechanical pencils are also favoured by anyone wishing to produce neat and elegant handwriting.
Is a 0.5 or 0.7 pencil better?
If you wish to draw very fine lines, you'll want to go for a 0.3mm lead. For writing and most drawing, you'll probably prefer a 0.5mm lead. A thicker, 0.7mm lead, meanwhile, may be better for sketching and non-detailed drawing. Other sizes are also available for specialist uses.
It's not just about size, though: also consider the hardness of the lead. A soft lead will be darker and more prone to smudging, while a hard lead is better for leaving light, fine lines. Softness is represented by a number followed by 'B'; the higher the number, the softer the lead. Hardness is represented by a number followed by 'H'; the higher the number, the harder the lead. Finally, 'F' and 'HB' leads lie in the middle..
Read more:
- Pencil shading techniques: Expert tips
- The best sketchbooks to make you a better artist
- Best tablets with a stylus pen for drawing and note-taking: Get digital
Tom May is a freelance writer and editor specialising in design, photography and tech. He is author of Great TED Talks: Creativity, published by Pavilion Books. He has previously been editor of Professional Photography magazine, associate editor at Creative Bloq, and deputy editor at net magazine.
Related articles
good mechanical pencils for drawing
Source: https://www.creativebloq.com/buying-guides/the-best-mechanical-pencils-for-artists-and-designers
Posted by: aldrichfater1942.blogspot.com
0 Response to "good mechanical pencils for drawing"
Post a Comment