Dotdot Posted April 29, 2013 Share Posted April 29, 2013 Hi, I was wondering if anyone here could recommend me a good set/brand of mechanical pencils. Ive been getting back into my artwork these days and so bought a rather expensive set of pencils. Now a few or rather several drawings later there starting to wear down to nubs. Plus its kinda hard to hold a tiny 5cm pencil and draw accurately. So thought Id try the mechanical pencils as Ive heard some folk rave on about how good they are and how you save money by not replacing the whole pencil in the long run, just packets of lead. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torolol Posted April 29, 2013 Share Posted April 29, 2013 looks for triangle shaped grip, i prefer that one than the more common circular grip, i forgot which brand though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zhangm Supervisor Posted April 30, 2013 Supervisor Share Posted April 30, 2013 I like these. http://www.amazon.com/Paper-Mate-Titanium-Mechanical-98807/dp/B0015ZVWG0/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1367340330&sr=8-3&keywords=papermate+titanium Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
threetonesun Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 The Zebra mechanical pencils are nice, but the M-701 is the king of them: http://www.amazon.com/Zebra-M-701-Mechanical-Pencil-59411/dp/B003G4SSLK/ref=sr_1_3?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1367340792&sr=1-3&keywords=zebra+mechanical+pencil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redvamp128 Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 http://www.walmart.com/ip/Pentel-Side-FX-Automatic-Pencil-0.50-mm-Black-Barrel/14916122 I like that because it is easy to fill and the eraser is easy to replace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lt8480 Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 If you are willing to make a long term investment then i'd recommend the best you can afford as good pencils will last a lifetime unless damaged (use depending perhaps!). Another thing I'd note is that cheap lead is cheap for a reason. Better quality lead will be better to work with and will be less prone to snapping. As a starting point http://www.cultpens.com has a great choice can probably supply almost any pencil out there. They also have a great guide which may well introduce you to the variations avaialable and many of the reasons to the choices available, along with a huge table at the bottom of the article allowing for an easy comparison: http://www.cultpens....al_Pencils.html Pentel GraphGear 1000 is my favourite. A great quality mechanical pencil which has retractable nibs, these come in useful if you want to throw them your pockets or a case with other items as it prevents the tips which hold the lead from breaking. Hope that helps :) Edit: another thing I just though of is the number of lead sizes you require - if you want variation and want all your pencils to match for a similar "feel" then this may be a quick way to narrow down your search quickly as not all pencils comes in the thinner and thicker sizes. Dotdot 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dotdot Posted May 1, 2013 Author Share Posted May 1, 2013 Went to the Artshop after work and picked up a set of Faber Castels. Ive used sets of there standard pencils for years and trust them to be good quality lead. Thnx for the info and help guys. @lt8480 thanks man im going to use this extensively i think, great info! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moloko Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 really you need to try what you like. I like metal grip drafting pencils. They come in different hardness and colors. I like the weight to them. As the lead is think I can keep it sharp or dull for different looks/ shades. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkenn99 Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 I've been trying out a Uni-Ball Shift 0.5mm for the last while and I'm really happy with it. I need to get a heavier one soon as well. I use this website for importing this sort of stuff: http://www.jetpens.com/Uni-ball-Shift-Pipe-Lock-Drafting-Pencils/ct/709 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(Account no longer active) Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 I find Paper Mate the most comfortable and smoothest writing utensils to use. uniball are not bad either. It also depends on what you're drawing. Sometimes a standard pencil is best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaos DComo Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 Back in the late 70's, early 80's, these were the first lead pencils that I used: http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-LOT-OF-5-SCRIPTO-TRANSPARENT-MECHANICAL-PENCILS-/390586117222?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5af0bf2c66 A friend of my sister had one and I was like, what is that? Since then, it's all I ever used. 35+ years now... There is a Scripto Mech Pencil that I remember buying a bunch of in the early 80's, however it's no longer made and I don't recall the part number... :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arceles Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 One of the best mechanical pencils out there it's actually the Pilot "The Shaker" H-1010, I have been using them since I have memory and they never fail... http://blueeyesfairy.deviantart.com/art/Pilot-Shaker-H1010-78565673 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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