Draw, Write, Sketch: The Best Mechanical Pencils In 2022

The Pentel GraphGear 1000 Mechanical Pencil is a fantastic drafting pencil that will satisfy the needs of the most demanding mechanical draftsman, architect, or graphic designer. This (0.5 mm) is our number one mechanical pencil for accuracy and control. The chiseled metallic grip with soft pads provides writing comfort while at the same time dissipating heat and sweat to make your lengthy sessions even more comfortable. The retractable pencil tip will protect lead from breaking, plus help keep your shirt pocket clean.

A mechanical pencil that’s as evocative looking as it is functional, the Pentel GraphGear 1000 would be an outstanding value at twice the price. It’s comfortable, reliable, easy on the eye and easy on the bank account and best of all, it makes great-looking lines. Turn your mechanical drawings or graphics work into something truly special with the Pentel Graph Gear 1000 mechanical pencil. It’s available at various lead sizes, so choose the one that suits your needs and preferences best. This is also a perfect gift for architects in your life.

The Kuru Toga mechanical pencil sports what may some consider to be the most important advance in mechanical pencil technology since the invention of plastic: the company’s exclusive rotating lead mechanism that maintains a sharp point while staving off those unwanted lead breaks.

We love innovative thinking and the Kuru Toga mechanical pencil is innovation incarnate (yes, it’s an exaggeration, but it really is that good!). The self-sharpening, rotating lead makes for far fewer interruptions while you’re trying to work and the whole pencil is just a joy to hold, even for extended periods of time. If you’re tired of your lead tips breaking on you every 10 minutes get the Kuru Toga and relax. Our guide to the best bolt action pens offers more great writing options so check it out.

The multifunctional WSD Aviation Aluminum Mechanical Magnetic Control Pencil is a unique piece of equipment with a revolutionary design. It features a magnetic ring that controls the entire length by sliding. In the process of writing, the magnetic ring stays firmly on top of the pencil to ensure smooth and uninterrupted work. Bonus: it doubles as a decompression device when you slide the magnetic ring up and down or rotate it. This can help keep you focused and eliminate any hyperactivity, anxiety, and stress associated with working over long periods of time.

It is compatible with color refills and all refills are easy to come by. Aside from enabling you to draw and write smoothly in comfort, it also has a very fashionable outlook to inspire the hard-working and thoughtful user with a discerning taste. It is lightweight, convenient to carry with you and fun to use. What’s more, a 2 mm pencil core and sharpener come with it as accessories.

The Paper Mate Clearpoint Mechanical Pencils feature a slide click lead advance that enables you to extend the pencil lead without relinquishing your hold on the pencil itself. This enables you to keep focus and get an uninterrupted flow of thought. This set of pencils does not require sharpening since the needed precise tip is obtained by simply clicking the advance. For easy handling and comfort during those long writing projects, the Clearpoint mechanical pencil sports a soft textured grip.

Corrections can be made easily by means of a large eraser that extends with just a little twist. This eraser cleans and removes unwanted marks and specks pretty well from the page to achieve smooth and easy writing. However, sometimes (depending on paper), it doesn’t remove them completely, but for this price, we’re not complaining. The actual lead writes nice and dark, and should not break. You can also never be taken by surprise since the barrel is transparent to enable you to see how much lead remains in the pencil at any time. For more cool products like this, check out our selection of the top coloring pencils.

The Uni-Ball Kuru Toga is heavy enough to aid in the production of high-quality mark-making yet light enough and designed well enough that you’ll never suffer from writer’s fatigue when using it. On top of that, the Kuru Toga boasts a revolutionary lead rotation system that keeps the point sharp and staves off annoying lead breaks.

With many other mechanical pencils, the circular lead wears down on one side creating a situation where the quality of your lines suddenly becomes inconsistent. The Uni-Ball Kuru Toga solves that problem by using the motion of the mechanical pencil itself to rotate the lead constantly. This produces uniform wear around the circumference of the lead and consistent line quality.

Looking to switch from a traditional pencil to a mechanical one? We recommend checking the Pentel Sharp Kerry Mechanical Pencil out as it looks fantastic, is easy to use, and produces precise, beautiful lines. With the profile and feel of an expensive pen, it’s just as at home in the boardroom as it is at the drawing table. The cap is a nice feature that provides balance while the pencil is in use.

The Pentel is an ideal writing instrument for students and professionals alike. The capped pen is built to last, produces a consistently high-quality line and the HB lead is perfect for standardized tests. Pentel has copious experience producing high-quality writing instruments and this is the latest example. Make sure you also check our guide to the top-rated fountain pens for more great products like this.

It’s hard to beat a classic and the AbilityOne’s American Classic .9mm mechanical pencil is just that. Long touted by members of the Armed Forces for its dependability and the clarity of its line, this pencil continues to deliver today for military and civilian users by the millions.

When you need a graphite pencil that’s going to perform in the field or in the office without having to make endless trips to the sharpener, the Skilcraft American Classic is the pencil for you. Nothing flashy about this product; just years of reliable performance for anyone who purchases it. Push action lead, oversized 1 1/4 inch eraser, and rubber grip complete the list of features. This also makes a perfect gift for gift for law students.

Who hasn’t had to scrounge around looking for a pencil when they had a pen or vice versa? Well, those days are over with the LAMY Multi-System. With this pen/pencil combo in your pocket, you never have to ask “Do you have a pen/pencil I can borrow?” again because this is a versatile two-in-one mechanical pencil and ballpoint pen.

You’re likely to find yourself using both options far more than you ever imagined; which is a testament to the common-sense utility of the device. Both mechanical pencil and ballpoint pen are well-engineered and produce high-quality marks on a consistent basis and the whole thing clips into your pocket for easy retrieval. 

If you’re serious about writing and drawing with a mechanical pencil, the rOtring 600 .5mm Mechanical Pencil should be on your desk. The rOtring is designed for a lifetime of dependable high-quality mark-making that will ensure your graphic work is always the best it can be. Everything about the rOtring is intended to enhance the quality of your output.

If you need a high-quality mechanical pen for your architectural renderings or graphic art you’ll want to make sure you have the rOtring in your arsenal. The thoughtfully designed grip and precise line quality make this mechanical pencil a cut above the ordinary. Its hexagonal shape, meanwhile, ensures it won’t roll off your desk easily. Excellent for use in conjunction with rulers as the tapered drawing end keeps the pencil out of the way of the product. Find more great products like this by checking out our guide to the most reliable tactical pens.

Parker have teamed up their iconic Jotter pen with their equally iconic and dependable .5mm mechanical pencil to create the perfect gift set for the executive, architect, or graphic artist on your list. Both pen and pencil exude Parker’s trademark build quality and both create high-quality lines that will enhance your drawings or written correspondence.

Everyone on our review panel stated they’d love to have this set sitting on their desk and for good reason. Both the mechanical pencil and ballpoint pen are well built, attractively designed, and produce beautiful high-quality marks that make all your work look better. It may not be a fountain pen, but this set is a true classic in the world of mechanical pencils – great for all kinds of work, ideal for long writing sessions. You can use it as a writing pen for work as well.