Mechanical Pencils

Whether you are required to write or draw for school or work, you'll likely find that pencil is one of the most forgiving mediums. With the ability to erase your mistakes and vary the weight of your lines, pencils have long been a favorite of people across the globe. The advent of mechanical pencils made the use of these handy tools even easier, and you can find a wide selection of mechanical pencils here at Walgreens.

Advantages of Mechanical Pencils

When compared to standard wooden pencils, you'll find there are several advantages to using mechanical pencils for writing and/or drawing. Of course, the most obvious pro is that mechanical pencils don't need to be sharpened. A simple click of the lead-propelling mechanism replenishes the writing element so that you can keep using the pencil without having to take breaks. These pencils can also last much longer than wooden pencils because the lead can be refilled whenever it runs out. Mechanical pencils are able to draw lines of consistent width because the size of the lead is predetermined, which makes them a favorite of artists and engineers who want their lines to look even.

Different Mechanical Pencil Types

While most mechanical pencils might seem relatively similar at first glance, there are actually several variations between different types. The lead width determines the weight of the lines that are drawn with the pencil. Widths are given in millimeters and typically range from 0.3mm to 0.7mm. Though the term "lead" is still used to describe a pencil's main element, the actual material used is graphite or some other type of solid pigment. Other differences between mechanical pencils have to do with the type of grip. Some products have a scored or knurled grip while others have a padded grip--and some pencils don't include a grip at all. The location of the lead advance mechanism will also vary between different pencils. Some require you to push on the eraser to replenish the lead while others have buttons on the side. Some of the first mechanical pencils required users to twist a mechanism to advance the lead, and you will still find a few styles that use this same method today.