Mechanical Pencils
A hybrid of traditional wooden pencils and pens, the mechanical pencil offers the best of both worlds. It has the durability of a pencil, coupled with the versatility and easy glide action of a pen. As the name implies, a mechanical pencil is a pencil containing mechanically extendable, replaceable pencil leads.
Benefits of a mechanical pencil
There are many good reasons to choose a mechanical pencil over a traditional pencil, including:
- No sharpening required
- Constant line width
- Quality erasers
- Consistent balance
- Easy refills
Mechanical pencil v. propelling pencil
Both pencils are constructed with plastic. However, propelling pencils use plastic pods housed in graphite tips. The pods contain a pointed graphite piece, usually a ½ inch in length. When the tip of a pod becomes dull, simply remove it by pushing on the last pod inside the pencil.
Mechanical pencil v. clutch pencil
Clutch pencils are considered a hybrid of mechanical pencil and traditional wooden pencil. While very similar in appearance and feel to a mechanical pencil, clutch pencils release the lead with a button on the end, rather than a click or twist. And, refill leads are available up to 5.6mm.
Refilling a mechanical pencil
To refill, simply press the “click” button and gently tap remaining lead particles out. Then, insert new pencil lead(s) into the shaft and take your finger off the “click” button.
For advice on finding the best mechanical pencil, call or email our team today.