Best mechanical pencil refills according to redditors

This beautiful Uni Mechanical pencil with the "Kurutoga engine." This rotates your lead a few degrees each time you lift the pencil off the paper, which results in an awesome consistent line weight and eliminates the "broad-siding" of the lead. Paired with these fantastic leads and I haven't accidentally broken a lead while writing since September.

normal lead is usually grey and it has nothing to do with the mechanical pencil you are using. You need to buy black colored lead if you want a deep black. I found this on Amazon in about 5 seconds

https://www.amazon.com/June-Gold-Thickness-Convenient-Dispensers/dp/B06XD8YQ4D/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1504879552&sr=8-3&keywords=0.7%2Bblack%2Blead&th=1

> This lead was only 2.50$ I’m cheap 😎


Looks to me like you can get away with 120 pieces for $7, rather than 36 for $2.5. The Ain Stein lead is cheaper!

I'd love to hear what other folks are using. Ideally, I'd like a case that can fit a total of 16-20 fountain pens, but hopefully with a smaller footprint. The 96-slot Global Art Leather Pencil Case is almost perfect... but they changed their design since I bought mine and they now have only one loop per slot instead of two. (I utilize both loops for smaller things, like pencil leads, wax stamps, etc.)

My current case contains the following items, but as you can see I'm just about out of room!

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Side A: Pencils

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1. rOtring 800 in .05
   
2. Uni Kuru Toga Pipe Slide in .05 with red nano dia lead
   
3. Uni Kuru Toga Pipe Slide in .05 with blue nano dia lead
   
4. Uni Kuru Toga Pipe Slide in .05 with green nano dia lead
   
5. Erasers: refills for the General Pencil Co. Factis BM-2 mechanical erasers, plus some for the Kuru Toga
   
6. A pair of General Pencil Co. Factis BM-2 mechanical erasers (a nice, thin eraser capable of area or detail erasing)
   
7. Extra red, green, and blue Uni nano dia lead
   
8. Extra black Uni nano dia lead (in a spare Pentel container)
   
9. Alumicolor 6" engineer pocket scale, standard (used as a straight edge)
   
10. Heavy-duty X-Acto Gripster knife
    
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    Side B: Fountain Pens
    
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11. Noodler's Neponset Ebonite Flex in black, filled with Noodler's Apache Sunset
    
12. TWSBI Eco in black, filled with Jacques Herbin 1670 Emerald of Chivor
    
13. Jinhao X750 in Black Night Sky, filled with Jacques Herbin 1670 Stormy Grey
    
14. Jinhao X750 in Lava Red, filled with Diamine Sherwood Green
    
15. Jinhao X750 in Black Frost Black, filled with Rohrer & Klingner Alt-Goldgrun
    
16. Jinhao X750 in Black Night Sky, filled with Noodler's Blue Ghost
    
17. An inexpensive atomizer (used for fine control when creating ink splatters)
    
18. Pilot Plumix, filled with Noodler's Firefly
    
19. Noodler's Charlie (not sold; comes free with 4.5 oz Noodler's inks), filled with Pilot Iroshizuku Yama-Budo

This is a decent sale on a rOtring Rapid Pro .5mm mentioned in the sibling post. I want to make sure you see it. ($13.99, the price is not showing up right unless I post this entire link, don't buy it for $31 imo)

Mine arrived yesterday and I'm using it for math right now with some 2B Neox lead.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0055ZS57U/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/Pilot-Mechanical-Graphite-HRF5G-20-2B-Komainu-Dou/dp/B019UO8J36

http://www.staples.ca/en/Pentel-Super-Hi-Polymer-Leads-03mm-Hb-12-Pack/product_PEN300HB_1-CA_1_20001

https://www.amazon.ca/Pentel-Hi-Polymer-Refill-Pieces-300-HB/dp/B0008GM8XI

https://www.amazon.ca/Uni-NanoDia-Mechanical-Pencil-4902778030592/dp/B002U0FMTC/ref=pd_lpo_229_tr_t_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=BADANVS53YPEP4JD9KFH

https://www.amazon.ca/Pentel-Pencil-Komainu-Dou-Original-Packege/dp/B00MIHN3J8/ref=pd_cp_229_4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=BADANVS53YPEP4JD9KFH

Sure! I'll start by saying that my favorite lead is the Uni NanoDia lead, which I've used in both the 0.5 and 0.3 mm sizes. I discovered that I prefer smaller lead sizes (and pen sizes) when I borrowed the pen in my EDC (Uniball signo 0.38mm) from my friend. I have pretty bad handwriting, and switching from a Pilot G2 0.7mm to a smaller pen seemed to help the legibility of my writing, which is why I opted for the smallest GraphGear. I recommend 0.3mm for notes because that's what I prefer, but if you're doing something that needs shading I would surely opt for a larger lead size.

This is kind of a niche add-on, but I work with musical notation a lot, so having a smaller lead allows me to see details in what I've drawn on the staff more easily, which is another reason I choose 0.3. Hope that helped.

Most expensive is this ramp for Nancy. She needs one to get up on the bed cause currently I pick her up and put her down.

Cheapest is these pencil leads. I love me some good mechanical pencils and these leds were recommended to me by a friend.

Edit: After some inspiration from this thread its now a PS4.

...Don't forget to load it up with some buttery smooth and dark 2B lead.

Here's an Amazon link, they sell multiple Lead hardness:


2B

DONG-A XQ Ceramic GOLD Lead Refill, 0.5mm, 2B, Ultra Strength, 360 Pieces of Lead https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014BVE446/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_kr4FDb7BANCCN

B

DONG-A XQ Ceramic GOLD Ultra Strength, Lead Refill, B 0.5mm, 360 Pieces of Lead https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JOU2RXA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ts4FDbHG4METR

HB

DONG-A XQ Ceramics II Lead Refill, 0.5mm, HB, 240 Pieces of Lead https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FVR6H9K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_9s4FDbKJD8DYE


Last recieved a set of each 2 years ago (I think?). Still have some left!

/u/Grep2grok's point about the speed of lectures is certainly worth considering. I'd parrot his pencil recommendation. For a premium pencil, I'd recommend any of the following:

• Rotring 600
  
• Alvin Draft-Matic DM05
  
• Uni Kuru Toga 0.5mm with 2B lead
  
• Pentel Graph Gear 1000 0.5mm
  
  Of the above, start with the GG 1000. I think it has the most comfortable grip for writing at length.
  
  Pencil kind of opens the playing field when choosing a notebook, as you don't have to worry about bleed. I prefer large spiral-bound books as they lay very flat. Your work space will be very limited most of the time, so something that folds back on itself may prove useful.
  
  
• RITR 6x9 or 8.5x11
  
• Rhodia spirals
  
• Whitelines spirals
  
• Doane spirals

This popped up in an Amazon search...

https://www.amazon.com/Faber-Castell-Refills-0-7mm-Black-Leads/dp/B00VHGESEA

I appreciate your comment, truly. I can somewhat relate to you, as I was very much into art back in High School, but quickly gave up on it due to anxiety and low self-esteem. There was a good ten-year hiatus before I began to pick the pencil up again this earlier this year.

I suggest starting small. I challenged myself to draw all 151 of the first generation of Pokemon on post-it notes. You can see some of them in my submission history if you're curious. It sounds silly, but that's what I had available to me at work, and I could usually spit one out after working on them on breaks and lunches. I tried to do one a day. The more I worked on them, the more I began to get my confidence back. Once they were done, I had an immense sense of fulfillment and accomplishment.

You don't have to do something that intense, but I found that setting smaller goals first, and seeing them through, was what helped, even if I wasn't pleased with some of the small things. It was only after these that I had the courage to try something bigger and more complex, like the helmets I've done.

Practically speaking, get yourself a few tools of the trade. I use a mix of .7 and .3 mechanical pencils, with HB graphite for the former and B lead for the latter. I also use eraser pencils to get fine erase lines for detail, and smudging sticks to blend.

Sorry. I know this was probably more word vomit than you may have expected or wanted. Your comment just struck a similar chord to my own experience. That said, just start small, and realize that all of the tiny mistakes you see in your work are mistakes that, for the most part, only you can see. Everyone else will just see a work of art, and enjoy it for what it is. Trust me. That was my largest hurdle. You can do it too.

Good luck. :)

There's a huge sale for .3 lead right now.

Link

Probably something like this: 2mm really think lead refills.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FRRNCFU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_RGY3BbC9F588B

The Alvin DM03, DM05, DM07, DM09. Can’t go wrong with a Rotring 600 or Rapid Pro. The Kuru Toga Roulette is awesome!! One of my favorites. You should also try some different erasers and different leads. The Sakura SumoGrip are my favorite. As for leads, the Kuru Toga has it’s own lead. I just got a bunch Pentel Ain Stein HB that i am about to try out. :)

Uni NanoDia is honestly the best lead I've used. 0.7mm here. It sounds kinda gimmicky, but I almost never break it and it writes really nicely. That being said, a lot of the reason for lead breakage is bending within your pencil as you write, so the build quality of your pencil contributes quite a bit to lead breakage.

A. I did not come here to be disrespected like this

B. This lead issuper kick ass and the pencil is nice and weighty.

I used to be anti-mechanical pencils too, until I saw the light.

Here's HB in a single pack of 40 leads

Here's a 5 pack (200 leads)

Use this lead:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00FB51OJA/

That link is for .7mm lead, they also have .5mm, and even .3mm.

I've never had it break during normal (or even abnormal) use, it doesn't leave your fingers dirty, and lasts a long time.

not the same but try these: https://www.amazon.com/Faber-Castell-Graphite-Drawing-Pencil/dp/B00PIRNYFI

Uni does make a lead specifically for the Kuru Toga.

They claim that their lead is softer on the outside and harder on the inside, so that it can maintain the sharp tip created by the rotation for longer. (Supposedly most lead is harder on the outside than the inside.)

I've got both the Uni Kurutoga Roulette and the Pentel Graph Gear 1000. Both are great buys, but I prefer the 1000 because the Kurutoga has a little bit of bounce to it when you press it down. Couple either of them with diamond infused led and you wont have to worry about breaking while writing.

Try JetPens or Amazon

I've used Paper mate PhD Ultra Mechanical pencils my entire school career (undergrad to now in Grad school). Only problem I've had with them is that they have to be cleaned (run lead refill through the mechanism a couple times to clear up the gripper) of small broken lead pieces on occasion. I recently started using some super strong lead that seems to be less prone to breakage than normal cheap 0.5mm lead. Haven't had enough time to confirm it's worth the extreme price hike, but it's worked well for the limited time I've had it.

For eraser: Retractable eraser pens and Pentel Eraser Block.

I'm exclusively a 0.5mm lead user.

My preference is a 2B or a 3B for smoothness, and I use Pentel Ain Stein lead. (Got a multi pack from 2B-4B for $12) It tends to write slightly darker than a standard lead, however, it does get used up much faster. This for me is not an issue since the difference at least in my hands is so much smoother.

There are many notebooks to choose from, maybe check out /r/notebooks but be warned your wallet might hate you. I like the Semi B5 size since it is without margins and if you write small it approximates the similar writing area for my personal use since I never used the margins in the 5 star notebook types. The lines in the maruman are very light and easy on the eyes. The paper is very heavyweight and thick. I typically find it hard to see through the pages so you can write on both sides without seeing lines pass through. The covers are a heavy duty plastic material and great for long term use.

I got these notebooks for archival purposes. I use them to write down engineering formulas and notes on designs -- things that I need to constantly reference and have handy. I paid about $8 each notebook with tax and shipping. Highly recommend them!

Here are the particular items I got so you can take a look:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017BDDZ7I - Kuru Toga

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HODH9QI - Leads

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OPQA7SK - Eraser (Don't buy the multi pack the erasers suck, but the holder is awesome. I took a Pentel Hi-Polymer eraser, and cut it up with a razor blade to shove on the sticks this thing comes with. Best eraser you can use! I also have the Pentel clic but it's not as good as the blocks since it's a harder polymer so it smears and doesn't erase perfectly.)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SWVXZ5G - Maruman Notebooks in Semi-B5

Also, shop around. Prices vary greatly for these items. Amazon may not be the cheapest, and sometimes Jetpens can be a huge ripoff so shop around before you buy!

Pentel Ain Stein are very good leads and I pretty much exclusively buy those now since I've had such good experience with them. A softer lead means it is a darker line, but breaks easier. HB is your standard hardness. 2B is suitable for 0.5mm without much trouble. It is softer and darker than HB. I have used 0.5mm in 4B (softer and darker still) but it smudges too easily for my liking.

I would recommend you try this

Pentel Ain Stein Mechanical Pencil Lead, 0.5mm 2B, 40 Leads x 3 Pack (XC2752B-3P) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004EHYH2M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_KLgHxbH21ME2N

I use Hi-Uni Hi-Density although that is not offered in 0.7

I've used this before and thought it was pretty good: http://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Infused-Leads-0-7mm-Pack/dp/B003CPF5HS

Amazon shows tons of them. https://www.amazon.com/MyLifeUNIT-Pencil-Refill-Compass-Mechanical/dp/B01BTKI4AW