{"id":4501,"date":"2020-05-15T08:00:27","date_gmt":"2020-05-15T07:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thepencompany.live\/blog\/?p=4501"},"modified":"2021-08-11T17:48:06","modified_gmt":"2021-08-11T16:48:06","slug":"a-guide-to-mechanical-pencils","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thepencompany.live\/blog\/pencils\/a-guide-to-mechanical-pencils\/","title":{"rendered":"A guide to mechanical pencils"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"architect<\/p>\n

Propelling pencils, also known as mechanical pencils<\/a>, are a popular product on our site, so it\u2019s time to dedicate a blog article to them.<\/p>\n

We sell a wide variety of pencils<\/a>, including woodcase<\/a>, clutch pencils, and mechanical pencils, but in this blog post we\u2019ll focus exclusively on mechanical \u2014 or propelling \u2014 pencils.<\/p>\n

So, what is a propelling pencil? Simply put, it is a pencil whose lead is pushed forward by a mechanical device.<\/p>\n

So, while you would sharpen a woodcase pencil to expose more lead, you would trigger the mechanism on a propelling pencil instead.<\/p>\n

This pencil type often comes with lead that is 0.5 mm or 0.7 mm in thickness.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a closer look.<\/p>\n

How does a mechanical pencil work?<\/h2>\n

The lead in a mechanical pencil is not connected to the outer casing, and so is able to move freely when you want it to.<\/p>\n

When you click a button on your pencil (or something similar), a spring pushes the lead forwards a set amount; only a little at a time, so you can easily achieve the perfect lead length.<\/p>\n

The benefits of the mechanical pencil<\/h2>\n

The benefits of choosing a propelling pencil over a woodcase pencil are plentiful.<\/p>\n

For example, no sharpening is required; you don\u2019t have to keep pausing your drawing or writing to sharpen, there\u2019s no mess to worry about, and it is fuss-free.<\/p>\n

Another benefit of a mechanical pencil is the consistent line width. While the line width of woodcase pencils varies depending on when it was last sharpened and how much it\u2019s been used, a mechanical pencil is reliable and predictable.<\/p>\n

In addition to line width, this type of pencil has an invariable balance, which can be particularly important for some artists. While a woodcase pencil gets shorter with use and therefore changes in weight and balance, a propelling pencil doesn\u2019t, and the lead weighs very little.<\/p>\n

Another aspect that you may feel is a pro of this pencil type is the fact that it is refillable and so you buy the pencil and can then reuse it for years.<\/p>\n

Due to this, it could be suggested that propelling pencils are more eco-friendly than their wooden counterparts, but this would depend on the packaging of your leads.<\/p>\n

Mechanical pencils are often more comfortable to hold for long periods of time, too.<\/p>\n

So, in summary, choose a mechanical pencil if you place importance on precision and reliability.<\/p>\n

We adore woodcase pencils too, but for different reasons, and we\u2019ll look at those in more detail in a future article.<\/p>\n

Uses for the mechanical pencil<\/h2>\n

Mechanical pencils are great for drawing and writing and so are a favourite tool amongst artists and writers, alongside those who journal, architects, builders, designers, and more.<\/p>\n

Some of our favourite mechanical pencils<\/h2>\n

We stock a wide range of propelling pencils but here are a few of our and our customers\u2019 favourites.<\/p>\n

The Faber-Castell Ambition mechanical pencil<\/a> is available in a selection of stunning finishes, including a variety of woods \u2014 all of which take 0.7mm leads.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The Faber-Castell Ambition mechanical pencil in Walnut<\/p><\/div>\n

The Caran d’Ache Leman mechanical pencil<\/a> has a timeless appearance with beautifully subtle curves and an 18-carat gold rhodium-plated nib. This pencil is also available in a range of finishes.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The Caran d’Ache Leman mechanical pencil in Grand Bleu<\/p><\/div>\n

If you’re new to propelling pencils, the Staedtler Mars Micro mechanical pencil set<\/a> is ideal. With three different lead widths and an accessible price point, you can experiment and see which works best for you.<\/p>\n

\"Staedtler<\/a>

The Staedtler Mars Micro mechanical pencil set<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Propelling pencils, also known as mechanical pencils, are a popular product on our site, so it\u2019s time to dedicate a blog article to them. We sell a wide variety of pencils, including woodcase, clutch pencils, and mechanical pencils, but in this blog post we\u2019ll focus exclusively on mechanical \u2014 or propelling \u2014 pencils. So, what…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":4513,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nA guide to mechanical pencils - The Pen Company Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"New to mechanical pencils? 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