The Best Mechanical Pencils for Everyday Use

Usually, when we talk about everyday carry writing utensils, we’re talking about pens. But we realize that the permanence of ink isn’t for everyone — especially creatives, those prone to mistakes, or some combination of the two. In that case, we tend to lean more toward pencils.

Unfortunately, standard wood pencils are not exactly efficient. Not only is their usefulness tied directly to how much of them you’ve used, but they require you to carry around a sharpener of some sort in order to keep them in working order. Mechanical pencils, by contrast, are refillable, can be more compact, last far longer, and come in a wider range of styles. That’s why, if you’re going to incorporate a pencil into your everyday carry, we suggest one of the following best mechanical pencils for EDC.

If you’ve ever spent time in a classroom, chances are you’re plenty familiar with mechanical pencils. With that said, the cheap often disposable mechanical pencils we used as kids are a far cry from the markedly more rugged and robust modern mechanical pencils that have been engineered for everyday carry. To help streamline the purchasing process, we’ll be breaking down the most crucial areas one should consider when buying an EDC mechanical pencil. 

Size: Just like with click or bolt-action pens made for EDC, everyday carry mechanical pencils are produced in a wide range of sizes, both in terms of the length of the pencil and its diameter (with some brands offering regular and slim versions of their pens and pencils). 

Ergonomics & Grip: An area that has a massive impact on how a mechanical pencil performs is its ergonomics and grip. This includes how the pencil is shaped, and whether or not its barrel features any type of texturing or pattern t enhance grip. 

Refills: Different mechanical pencils accept different lead refills. Unlike ink cartridge refills for regular pens, mechanical pencils simply use lead in one of several sizes — with 0.5mm and 0.7mm being the two most common. Some mechanical pencils can actually accept multiple lead sizes, too. 

Materials: The single biggest area that separates more premium EDC mechanical pencils from their cheaper counterparts is the materials used to make them. EDC-specific mechanical pencils almost always boast rugged constructions ranging from titanium to stainless steel to aluminum to copper to bronze. 

Balance: A monumental part of a mechanical pencil’s performance and overall user experience is owed to how well-balanced it is. This is another area that helps to distinguish the more calculated, premium models from the cheaper mechanical pencils on the market. It is admittedly hard to get a sense of balance simply From viewing an item in photos, though there’s plenty of readily available information on this subject floating around on various forums, blogs,  and online message boards. 

Hardware & Additional Elements: While a mechanical pencil’s barrel, tip, and click mechanism are the most important parts that comprise it, there are nonetheless a few smaller, more minor components that one should also consider when shopping, such as a mechanical pencil’s pocket clip and hardware. It’s also crucial to check whether or not a mechanical pencil features an eraser or not. 

Zebra M-701

Best Value Mechanical Pencil: The pencil version of one of the best EDC pens of all time, Zebra’s M-701 mechanical pencil is practically unbeatable. Not only is it incredibly budget-friendly, but it’s also durable — constructed from stainless steel — comfortable to hold and use (thanks to a knurled grip), easy to carry in your pocket due to its integrated clip, and it is useable with standard-sized 0.7mm lead.

Uni-Ball Kurutoga

Best Lightweight Mechanical Pencil: You probably recognize the name Uni-Ball for the brand’s legendary lineup of pens, but it turns out they also make mechanical pencils — with the KuruToga being perhaps their best. This unique translucent offering is a state-of-the-art writing utensil available in either 0.5mm or 0.7mm lead sizes, it comes with a hideaway eraser, and it has a rotating lead mechanism to keep the tip sharp and help prevent breakage.

Staedtler Lead Holder

Best Mechanical Pencil For Drawing: Most mechanical pencils rely on ultra-thin lead refills that are prone to breaking — especially if you’re a bit heavy-handed or you write/draw at an angle. The Staedtler Lead Holder, however, houses a thicker 2mm lead that acts more like those found in standard wooden pencils. This allows for better sketching, shading, and more resistance to pressure than its thinner counterparts — making it perfect for anyone who likes to draw. It also has an integrated sharpener to keep the tip pointed.

Alvin Draft-Matic 

Best Vintage Mechanical Pencil: Designed specifically with professionals in mind, Alvin’s Draft-Matic mechanical pencil is remarkably durable and long-lasting to the point that you might never need to buy another mechanical pencil again once you have this one. It’s also available in a quartet of different lead sizes for all your needs, comes with a pocket clip for easy hauling, and has a hideaway eraser under the tail cap.

FastCap Fatboy Extreme

Best Wide-Barrel Mechanical Pencil: For those looking for the ultimate shading capabilities out of a mechanical pencil, the FastCap Fatboy Extreme simply cannot be beaten. That’s because, while all the competition is messing around with lead that’s fractions of a millimeter in thickness, this one comes with a whopping 5.5mm piece of lead — which is even thicker than most traditional pencils. For artists and sketchers alike, this might just be the best mechanical pencil out there.

Parker Jotter

Best Mechanical Pencil For The Office: If you want your mechanical pencil to be a bit sleeker and modern than the competition — something you can be proud to bring into an office meeting or keep on your desk — then you might want to have a look-see at the Parker Jotter. From the legendary company that makes everyone’s favorite ink cartridges, this less-permanent utensil is crafted entirely from stainless steel, houses 0.5mm lead, and still has a pocket clip.

Rotring Rapid PRO

Best Retractable Tip Mechanical Pencil: Sleek, stylish, and built to last, the Rapid PRO mechanical pencil is one of the best ones on the market for those who are frequently on-the-go. That’s because it has an added bit of safety and security in the form of a retractable tip — meaning you don’t have to worry about bending or breaking it while you’re in transit. It’s also available in matte black or chrome silver, has a knurled grip and pocket clip, and comes with a 2-year warranty against defects.

Lamy 2000

Best Minimalist Mechanical Pencil: There is something to be said for the styling of pens. Namely, they’re typically sleeker and more refined than their lead-loaded counterparts. Lamy seems to be keen on this fact, which is probably why they made their 2000 mechanical pencil with pen-like styling. Truly, unless you write with it, you’d probably not even guess that this is a pencil at all — which is a good thing in this case. It’s also made from resin and stainless steel for plenty of durability, works with 0.7mm lead, and has an eraser on its tail end.

Tactile Turn Titanium Pencil

Best Bolt-Deployed Mechanical Pencil: Weighing in at less than an ounce, the Tactile Turn Titanium Pencil is a top-shelf writing instrument that’s been precision machined in Texas from a block of titanium billet before being fitted with a Schmidt DSM2006 mechanism, a replaceable friction fit eraser, and a side bolt with a 6-32 thread pitch. Sold in 0.5mm and 0.7mm sizes, Tactile Turn’s mechanical pencil is a second-generation design that’s remarkably well-balanced, feeling as good in the hand as it looks to the eye. Offered with available Timuscus bolt and pocket clips as well as optional engraving, this mechanical pencil is also offered in copper, bronze, or zirconium constructions. 

Ystudio Mechanical Pencil

Best Top-Shelf Mechanical Pencil: If you like the look of traditional yellow wood pencils, but you want a lead-filled utensil that will last a good deal longer, the Ystudio Mechanical Pencil is the pick for you. This absolutely beautiful everyday carry tool is made primarily from solid brass, has copper accents, and has phosphor bronze hardware. Because of the materials, this pencil will also age with use — giving it a unique patina reflexive of its usage. It’s a pricey investment, but it has the potential to last for generations with proper care.

The Best Pocket Notebooks For Everyday Carry

A pen or mechanical pencil is a fantastic addition to any EDC loadout, however, they’re even more practical when paired with a dedicated EDC notebook — the latest and greatest of which we’ve highlighted in our guide to the best notebooks for everyday carry.