Pencil Lead For Your Mechanical Pencil Which Brand To Use ?

[Algester]

Do you ever use 0.2mm for anything?

 

I bought a 0.2mm pencil out of curiosity, but it just sits on the shelf. Didn't even make the cut to be included in my backpack.

 

--flatline

I bought 2 (original orenz and the orenz metal limited) it's hard to use as a daily driver as the lead is too sensitive

drop it you lose lead, not being careful with the knock you lose lead other than that it stays at my "workstation" if I need something small and thin it's there

Edited January 9, 2018 by Algester

[Aquaria]

I'm in the Uni Nano-Dia camp. They're tough and put down the kind of line I like. As a math major, I go through a ton of pencil leads. I also have many stressed/exhausted writing sessions where pencil lead breakage tends to be rampant, and the Nano-Dia leads seem to withstand those moments the best. I hardly ever have a lead break now, especially in my Kuru Toga.

 

Speaking of, I have a bunch of Kuru Toga leads, and I'm not sure why, exactly. I know a couple of the tubes were thrown in as lagniappe from a Japanese supplier that I've since forgotten the name of. They're probably my second favorite leads.

 

I make do with Pentel leads, when I have no other choice.

[FrMark]

I like pentel in various hardnesses. Usually HB. I can't abide by scratchy/gritty and never have had it in pentel.

[MYU]

I'm in the Uni Nano-Dia camp. They're tough and put down the kind of line I like. As a math major, I go through a ton of pencil leads. I also have many stressed/exhausted writing sessions where pencil lead breakage tends to be rampant, and the Nano-Dia leads seem to withstand those moments the best. I hardly ever have a lead break now, especially in my Kuru Toga.

 

Speaking of, I have a bunch of Kuru Toga leads, and I'm not sure why, exactly. I know a couple of the tubes were thrown in as lagniappe from a Japanese supplier that I've since forgotten the name of. They're probably my second favorite leads.

 

I make do with Pentel leads, when I have no other choice.

 

Suffering a lot of lead breakage, have you heard of the Zebra Delgard pencils? They have a special lead protection mechanism that engages when above average pressure is applied, saving the lead. You might want to look into that.

[RoyalBlueNotebooks]

I'm in the Uni Nano-Dia camp. They're tough and put down the kind of line I like. As a math major, I go through a ton of pencil leads. I also have many stressed/exhausted writing sessions where pencil lead breakage tends to be rampant, and the Nano-Dia leads seem to withstand those moments the best. I hardly ever have a lead break now, especially in my Kuru Toga.

 

I join MYU in recommending you a Zebra Delguard. Model LX because the standard model is too short and its clip gets in the way.

[RoyalBlueNotebooks]

I mainly use Staedtler because it's available in local shops. Buying lead online would be too risky, at least until the careless postworker assigned to my area gets relocated.

I have a tube of Koh-I-Noor <F> in 0.5 and for my 2mm lead holder, two tubes of Koh-I-Noor Hardtmuth <B> and <2B>.

 

Neither brand feels particularly smooth to me but they don't feel bad either. Or maybe I got used to them.

Edited January 22, 2018 by RoyalBlueNotebooks

[Mike 59]

I'm not sure why HB lead is fitted into new pencils, as the first thing I do is to replace it with 2B. (Aside from the fact that it sells more lead refills, seem to be very expensive in the UK.)

The brand I'm using at the moment is 'Faster' in 0.5mm, seems to be a big improvement over HB, it doesn't break easily, or wear too fast.

If lead breaking is a problem with 0.5mm or less, then there is the new Uni Kuru Toga Advance, which guards the lead right down to the paper, and there is a 0.3mm version availabe too.

[RoyalBlueNotebooks]

If lead breaking is a problem with 0.5mm or less, then there is the new Uni Kuru Toga Advance, which guards the lead right down to the paper, and there is a 0.3mm version availabe too.

I must add that for us fountain pen users, who are used to the less pressure required by fountain pen ink, the Kuru Toga engine may not work. It doesn't for me.

Also, I don't know how the Kuru Toga series of pencil has become so popular, because when I tried writing with it with as much pressure required for the engine to work my fingers cramp very quickly. I can't use it to draft an essay or the replies for an exam, otherwise when I switch to the pen my fingers would ache too much.

The Kuru Toga mechanism is a great idea for the mechanical pencil world, I hope more brands will try their hands at it.

[Algester]

the kuro toga advance is basically a metal version of the pipe-slide I dont have it in my country but since its a variant of the pipe slide model then the kurotoga engine itself should be more responsive either way I dont find any benefit for me personal use since I'm a cursive writer I do like the Zebra delguard

[kulms]

Pentel Ain Stein is probably the best you gonna get!

[bluebellrose]

as long as it's made in Japan or Korea. It's all good. I use pentEl because staples sells it. Not sure for how much longer though

Edited February 26, 2018 by bluebellrose

[Bexinthecity247]

I typically only use Faber-Castell right now because I bought about 5 packs when I was in Germany so I have no reason to buy any others.

I'm using their 0.7 and I find it doesn't break easily like some other cheaper leads I used.