Reddit mentions: The best mechanical pencil refills
We found 57 Reddit comments discussing the best mechanical pencil refills. We ran sentiment analysis on each of these comments to determine how redditors feel about different products. We found 44 products and ranked them based on the amount of positive reactions they received. Here are the top 20.
1. Pentel Ain Stein Mechanical Pencil Lead, 0.5mm 2B, 40 Leads x 3 Pack (XC2752B-3P)
- Durable lead
- Silica framed lead
- From Pentel
Features:
Specs:
Color | graphite |
Height | 0.43 inches |
Length | 0.59 inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | October 2019 |
Size | 3 Count (Pack of 1) |
Weight | 0.03 Pounds |
Width | 0.51 inches |
2. Uni Mechanical Pencil Lead, Nano Dia, 0.5mm, HB (U05202NDHB)
- Package Dimensions: 8.0 cms (L) x 1.5 cms (W) x 0.7 cms (H)
- Product Type: Writing Instrument
- Package Quantity: 1
- Country Of Origin: Japan
Features:
Specs:
Height | 0.79 Inches |
Length | 3.03 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | October 2019 |
Size | 1 Count (Pack of 1) |
Weight | 0.018888888888889 Pounds |
Width | 0.28 Inches |
3. Uni-Ball Diamond Infused Leads, 0.7mm, Pack of 40
- Fits most refillable mechanical pencils.
- High performance HB lead refills made with diamond-infused lead.
- Strong, long-lasting material resists breakage.
- Produces consistent vivid, dark lines.
- Won't damage or smear documents.
Features:
Specs:
Color | Black |
Height | 7.6 Inches |
Length | 0.3 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 40 Leads |
Weight | 0.03 Pounds |
Width | 2.9 Inches |
4. Strength & Deep & Smooth -Uni-ball Extra Fine Diamond Infused Pencil Leads, 0.5 mm-2B-Nano Dia 40 Leads x 3 Pack/Total 120 Leads/
Uni develops the lead of the top qualityIntensity of the lead was sharply strengthened by blending the particles of a diamond.Since particles have aligned by high density, it can write distinctly still more deeplyAnd it can draw more smoothly.My Store is The goods of High quality and popular Japan a...
Specs:
Size | 3 Count (Pack of 1) |
Weight | 0.05 Pounds |
5. Uni Kuru Toga Pencil Lead - 0.5mm - HB ,20 Leads X 5-pack (Total 100 Leads) Value Set (With Our Shop Original Product Description)
- The lead only for Kurutoga is attached. (Uni is the lead developed for Kurutoga)
- The center of a lead is hard and the outside is made softly Therefore, it can write in the more sharp state
Features:
Specs:
Height | 0.39 Inches |
Length | 3.94 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 5 Count (Pack of 1) |
Weight | 0.02 Pounds |
Width | 2.17 Inches |
6. Pilot Mechanical Pencil Lead Neox Graphite 0.7mm HB 40 Leads (HRF7G-20-HB) 3 Set
- 3 set
- Pilot Mechanical Pencil Refill
- Neox Graphite Series
- 0.7mm
Features:
Specs:
Height | 0.2 Inches |
Length | 2.9 Inches |
Size | HB - 3set |
Width | 2.4 Inches |
7. Uni-Ball Nano Lead Mechanical Pencil Lead Refills, 0.3mm, B, Black Lead, Pack of 45
Uni develops the lead of the top qualityIntensity of the lead was sharply strengthened by blending the particles of a diamond.In bulk PackageJapan Import
Specs:
Color | Black |
Height | 0.25 Inches |
Length | 3 Inches |
Number of items | 3 |
Size | 15 Count (Pack of 3) |
Weight | 0.05 Pounds |
Width | 2.9 Inches |
8. Uni-Ball Nano Lead Mechanical Pencil Lead Refills, 0.5mm, HB, Black Lead, Pack of 120
Specs:
Height | 0.25 Inches |
Length | 3 Inches |
Number of items | 3 |
Size | 40 Count (Pack of 3) |
Weight | 0.05 Pounds |
Width | 2.9 Inches |
9. Pentel Ain Stein Mechanical Pencil Lead, 0.5mm B,2B,3B,4B (40 Leads) 1 Each + Original 5 Colors Sticky Notes
All 4 sizes are black Color.
Specs:
Height | 2.8 Inches |
Length | 3.6 Inches |
Size | 5 Piece Set |
Weight | 0.02 Pounds |
Width | 0.5 Inches |
10. Koh-i-noor 2.0 mm Green Leads for Technical Drawing. 4300/16
- Lime and Honey - Pack of 3
- Made with Real Aloe Vera Pulp & Juice
- Fat-Free
- Gluten-Free
- Aloin -Free
Features:
Specs:
Color | BB107 |
11. Pentel Super Hi-Polymer Lead Refill, 0.5mm, Fine, 3B, 144 Pieces of Lead (C505-3B)
#1 selling lead in the worldRefill lead for 0.5mm Mechanical pencilsPentel Super Hi-Polymer HB lead is equivalent to a #2 Pencil, guaranteed to scan on tests, resists breaking and never needs sharpeningEach tube of Pentel Super Hi-Polymer HB lead is made of 100% recycled plastic and part of the Pent...
Specs:
Color | Gray |
Height | 1.75 Inches |
Length | 3 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 12 Count (Pack of 12) |
Weight | 0.1 Pounds |
Width | 1 Inches |
12. Pentel (C505-2B) Super Hi-Polymer Lead Refills. 5MM, 2B / 1 Tube of 12 Leads
Super Hi-Polymer Leads are designed for automatic pencilsPatented manufacturing process provides greater lead strength, a darker line and minimal breakage60mm length
Specs:
Color | Black |
Height | 0.1 Inches |
Length | 2.6 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Weight | 0.02 Pounds |
Width | 0.3 Inches |
13. Pentel Ain Stein Mechanical Pencil Lead, 0.5mm HB, 40 Leads (C275-HB)
- Durable Lead
- Silica Framed Lead
- from Pentel
Features:
Specs:
Color | Hb X1 Pack |
Height | 0.79 Inches |
Length | 3.11 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 0.5 |
Weight | 0.0100089866948 Pounds |
Width | 0.27 Inches |
14. Paper Mate Mechanical Pencil Refills, 0.5mm, HB #2, 105 Count
- Replacement leads fit all refillable Paper Mate Mechanical Pencils
- The longest leads available ease the stress of running out of lead
- #2 pencil leads create neat notes and are ideal for standardized tests
- Bold, easy-to-find lead size/hardness
- Includes 105 #2 mechanical pencil refills, 0.5mm
Features:
Specs:
Color | SKYBLUE |
Height | 2.9 Inches |
Length | 0.5 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | September 2009 |
Size | 105 Count (Pack of 1) |
Weight | 0.08 Pounds |
Width | 0.6 Inches |
15. Faber-Castell 0.35 mm HB Super-Polymer Lead Refill (Pack of 12)
- Extremely break-resistant and exceptionally smooth
- With filling aid for clean and easy lead replacement
- Line width color code
Features:
Specs:
Color | Black |
Height | 3.93700787 Inches |
Length | 3.93700787 Inches |
Number of items | 12 |
Release date | September 2017 |
Size | 0.35 H |
Weight | 0.0220462262 Pounds |
Width | 1.968503935 Inches |
16. Parker - Executive: Matte Chrome Data Quatro-Pen: Black + Red Ballpoint + Data Point + Pencil 0,5mm Leads.
- Executive Multifunction Matte Chrome w/ PDA Multi Functional Pen
- Multi Functional Pen
Features:
Specs:
Height | 1.25 Inches |
Length | 6.5 Inches |
Weight | 0.175 Pounds |
Width | 1.25 Inches |
17. DONG-A XQ Ceramic GOLD Lead Refill, 0.5mm, 2B, Ultra Strength, 360 Pieces of Lead
- Brand : Dong-A, korea
- Product : Dong-A XQ Gold 502 Mechanical Pencils Leads
- Package : 1 packs of 30 pieces of lead / Total 360 Pieces
- Ball size : 2B 0.5mm / (W) 70mm
- Weight : 106g (4.12 oz)
Features:
Specs:
Height | 0.787401574 Inches |
Length | 3.149606296 Inches |
Weight | 0.05 Pounds |
Width | 3.4645669256 Inches |
18. DONG-A XQ Ceramics II Lead Refill, 0.5mm, HB, 240 Pieces of Lead
- Soft writing feeling as a result of special manufacturing system
- Strongest lead can not be broken easily
- Durable for wear and tear and good for long time usage
- Diverse type in density and strength
- Origin : Made in Korea
Features:
Specs:
Height | 3.35 Inches |
Length | 3.15 Inches |
Weight | 0.05 Pounds |
Width | 0.87 Inches |
19. Pentel Mechanical Pencil Lead, Ain Stein, 0.5mm, 4B (C275-4B)
Mechanical Pencil lead, Ain stein0. 5mm x 60mm4B x 40 leads
Specs:
Height | 0.28 Inches |
Length | 0.79 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | September 2019 |
Weight | 0.012666666666667 Pounds |
Width | 3.11 Inches |
20. Pentel Super Hi-Polymer Lead Refill , 0.9 mm Thick, HB, 60 Pieces of Lead (C29BPHB2)
Triple Threat: #1 selling lead, Industry Standard, Stronger than competitors0.9 mm bold linesResists breakingEquivalent to a #2 pencil and guaranteed to scan. 2 Tubes60 pieces of lead - 2 tubes of 30 pieces of lead
Specs:
Color | Gray |
Height | 2.38 Inches |
Length | 0.5 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | February 2016 |
Size | 30 Count (Pack of 2) |
Weight | 1.07 Pounds |
Width | 7.38 Inches |
🎓 Reddit experts on mechanical pencil refills
The comments and opinions expressed on this page are written exclusively by redditors. To provide you with the most relevant data, we sourced opinions from the most knowledgeable Reddit users based the total number of upvotes and downvotes received across comments on subreddits where mechanical pencil refills are discussed. For your reference and for the sake of transparency, here are the specialists whose opinions mattered the most in our ranking.
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. :)
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!
---
Side A: Pencils
---
---
Side B: Fountain Pens
---
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'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!
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.
/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:
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.
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.
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.
Haha! Great question! It's so hard to catch them when they're on amazon.
Koh-i-noor 2.0 mm Green Leads for Technical Drawing. 4300/16 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0054XUHCY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_wAYqzbCCMSZ9T
This is the best I could find. It's a little soft though.
I use Pentel Super 0.5 mm lead in 3B.
I highly recommend it; though many people find it breaks easily I haven’t found this to be the case & I apply a lot of pressure when writing. Love how dark it is—just be sure to take tests (scantron) with HB
Good school supplies are ones that last a long time or are of a higher quality then the cheapest alternative. I have looked at local stores and amazon. I simply do not have the money this year/parents willing to splurge for the supplies that last and are good. My problem most the time is two or 3 good pens can last me all year or I'll go through 3x 20 packs of cheap pens.
For example if I could get my dream school supplies this year (not that it will ever happen)
What I will end up getting right now are cheap binders and notebooks, the cheapest lead I can find and cheap pens.
Sorry for typing such a long thing!
I happen to have some pencil leads on my wishlist for $2.64! I like them because they're softer lead than usual. There are a couple cheaper things on there as well.
There was once a blue dog. He found a magical mummy hand under he neighbor's truck. It was delicious.
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. :)
Just buy a mechanical pencil and 40 refills for a grand total of £6.12
[Pentel P200 0.5 mm Mechanical Pencil Lead with Black Barrel] (https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002HN26F0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_X9PDzbPSY99HR)
[Pentel Ain Stein pencil Lead – 0.5 mm – HB – C275 – HBO or 40 Leads] (https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004NNPWCG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Z-PDzbJBPXATB)
EDIT:
I am assuming your calculations are for HB pencils, you can easily reduce the number of pencils used by opting for a slightly harder lead like 2H. It is not as smooth to write with as a soft B or 2B but will definitely last much longer.
EDIT 2:
Woodcase pencils are less efficient because sharpening also reduces the amount of writing graphite. Sharpening is not necessary for mechanical pencils.
EDIT 3:
Ammendment to EDIT 2: 2mm Lead Clutch pencils are technically mechanical pencils and do require sharpening. I should have clarified I was referring to the standard sizes of 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9 (mm) mechanical pencils.
EDIT 4:
I only included links to Pentel pencil and lead, I am not shilling for Pentel. Other brands are available.
I use the 0.35 lead - like this one on amazon
Now I want a 0.3 pencil as well XD I kind of forgot they exist. Hmmmm.... it never ends, does it?
I think it's high time you consolidate your stuff, for example that camera can go because your phone already has one, I am pretty sure there is an all in one or two solution to all those pens pencils and highlighters(something like this), then as far as the lady stuff goes I cant comment there but excluding the tampons it looks like you have lots of doubles of things that could go...just saying
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!
I use the Pentel Ain Stien graphite in my Rotring Rapid Pro.
http://www.amazon.com/Pentel-Stein-Mechanical-Pencil-C275-4B/dp/B008JF3RLC
I use B I think, I can check when I get home. It's supposed to be very resistant to breaking, which is what I needed because I often break .5mm graphite when I have to do some fast note taking. I can't even remember the last Ain Stien graphite broke on me while writing.
I don't have a lot of experience with other graphites, so I can't really compare the smoothness. But I really like it and it's much better than the stuff the Rotring came with.
Edit: here's a great selection: http://www.jetpens.com/Pencil-Leads/ct/99
Edit 2: https://www.reddit.com/r/mechanicalpencils/
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
> 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!
Nice!
To answer your question, the pencil takes .9mm leads. I like these
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.
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.
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.)