A Guide to Mechanical Pencils

The basis of all things written is the use of a pencil. This tool has been used for centuries in order to write down the very essence of human thinking, and has proven to be very useful in everyday life. Nothing more than graphite in a barrel of sorts right? That's how many people view it, but I see it differently. Ever since I was a child, I was fascinated by the mechanism of a mechanical pencil, and how we can over complicate a simple utensil while having it perform so simply. Was the writing capability of this better? Is the lead inside infinite? There were so many questions a young mind could fathom, and there began my fixation of these engineering masterpieces. In this page you will see how pencils will work and possibly see their beauty through my eyes.

Mechanical pencils work by being fed pieces of lead through the barrel towards the top, usually located below the eraser. Once the lead falls down the barrel, it is fed through the nib by the number of times the top of the pencil is clicked (or wherever the button for led extension is located). Within the nib of most mechanical pencils, there is a clutch mechanism consisting of three prongs that widen to allow lead to pass through all the way to the nib, and will close automatically when the pencil is not pressed, holding tightly onto the lead. From lead suspended within a piece of wood, its mechanical counterpart proves to be more convenient and reusable, and more stylish.

The beauty of these pencils aren’t limited to the common plastic version you will find in bulk at most stores. As a product of engineering, many companies have taken the challenge to create a mechanical pencil that is more durable, precise, appealing, or ergonomic, and of course with a different idea in each mind, there are many choices that provide to you your needs! There are several categories of mechanical pencils that can refine what you’re looking for when you’re choosing one:

• Mechanical Pencils
• Drafting Pencils
• Shaker Pencils
• Lead Guard Pencils