What Is Your Favourite Lead Size?

[Ambien]

I prefer .5mm and .7mm tends to where my handwriting begins to looks unclear for notes. Although, I have tried wider pencil refills but they aren't very convenient due to limited availability.

[Tanzanite]

I answered 0.3 mm but use 0.5 just as much, or as little. I do not use pencils very often.

[ajcoleman]

For years I used 0.5 mm lead almost exclusively. Lately however I am finding that too thin. I think my hand and my eye have both adjusted to the bolder line I get from a fountain pen compared to a ball point, and I find I prefer larger lead sizes. For the poll, I answered 0.7 mm as my preferred size. It is the lead size I would choose if I got to pick solely on that. However lately I am using vintage pen and pencil sets, such as my Parker 51 with matching pencil. These use 0.9 mm lead. With soft lead, a light touch, and frequent rotation, these leave a nice fine, dark line, and feel super smooth to write with.

[sargetalon]

I only have one mechanical pencil, a Pelikan D400, part of a FP, RB, BP set. It is 0.7mm and I use HB lead. I like the look of the line and the strength. Don't really have issues with it breaking.

Edited December 28, 2014 by sargetalon

[Cryptos]

Well, I prefer 2 mm and have a Kohinoor Toison D'or for that in 2B hardness - but that's a clutch lead holder.

 

In mechanical pencils I use a Pilot S20 which I think is 0.5 mm, and I acquired a Ritepoint pencil in gold and red swirly celluloid that takes a 0.9 mm lead. That one has been in my pocket every day; very convenient form factor.

 

Beyond that I use real pencils. You know, with wood and stuff.

[Bookman]

I don't use pencils often, and when I do I prefer wooden. But in the car and out and about I use mechanical, always .5mm and 4B graphite for a nice, dark, slim-ish line.

[TeaHive]

It used to be 0.5 and nothing else. Then I discovered 2mm lead clutches. It was a new dawn. It's like having a regular pencil, with mechanical convenience and less waste.

 

So now both reside in my sketch kit, along with some soft, soft woodless graphite for extreme shading and dark lines.

[takkun]

Another vote for 2mm lead holders. I used to be a diehard for 0.3mm drafting pencils, but an architecture professor turned me on to lead holders--with a good sharpener, you can get some very fine lines, and then wear it down for thicker lines. Great for freehand sketching. Maybe not so much for writing.

[kulindi]

For me it is a 0.7mm with a softer (darker) grade 2B or 3B, the 3B being more difficult to obtain here in Australia.

[______Zaphod_Beeblebrox]

For me it is a 0.7mm with a softer (darker) grade 2B or 3B, the 3B being more difficult to obtain here in Australia.

I wish I could get 3B in 0.7mm but the softest I found is 2B. But for some reason I can get 4B in 0.5mm, go figure!

[Studio97]

I prefer .7 to ,9 and vintage mechanical pencils witb lead that could be 1mm. I have one short one with a marbled Bakelite top but no name on it.