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Best mechanical pencils in Australia

Our expert team read hundreds of customer reviews to find the top 6 mechanical pencils in Australia for a variety of uses and budgets.

The best mechanical pencils in Australia

How did we pick this list?

Our editorial team has picked the products featured in the list based on actual customer reviews on Amazon. For each category, we carefully selected parameters based on our research and identified the mechanical pencils with the highest review rating within the criteria judged.

Read more detail on our methodology below.

Mechanical pencils are versatile and convenient tools that can be used by artists, writers, architects, students or anyone who doesn't want to worry about sharpening their pencil while they work. When choosing a mechanical pencil, look for one that's comfortable to hold and is designed for how you want to use it.

We've spent a considerable amount of time reading customer reviews and product specs to compare popular options and find the best mechanical pencils in Australia. When comparing products, we considered the price, design, usability, materials used and comfort.

Pentel Graphgear 1000 Mechanical

Best overall mechanical pencil

Pentel Graphgear 1000 Mechanical
Image: Supplied/Finder

Pros

  • Well balanced
  • Retractable tip

Cons

  • Heavier compared to other pencils
  • Clip can’t be removed as part of the mechanism

Why we chose it

Garnering an average of 4.6 stars out of 5 from over 1,700 reviews, the Pentel Graphgear 1000 pencil is labelled as an Amazon choice for customers. It is one of the most popular models of pencils with customers saying it is sleek and comfortable to use.

This pencil has a retractable tip and roulette grip and it comes in a range of sizes from 0.3mm to 0.9mm. Every pencil is manufactured using aluminium and the grips consist of a knurled metal and translucent rubber.

In terms of specs, there is a fully retractable metal lead sleeve that will help protect the lead when you press down on the clip. There is also a lead hardness indicator which is what you would find with any other professional drafting pencil. The pen we have chosen has a 0.5mm lead and weighs 4.54g.

Customers lauded the product for being "well weighted" and having great "balance and feel".

Pentel Sharp Kerry Mechanical

Best mechanical pencil for drawing

Pentel Sharp Kerry Mechanical
Image: Supplied/Finder

Pros

  • Stylish
  • Comfortable to use

Cons

  • Can be slippery to use
  • Colour of barrel varies between pencils

Why we chose it

Offering a combination of craftsmanship, quality and style, the Pentel Sharp Kerry Mechanical pencil oozes panache. Available in a range of colours, this pencil is made of plastic, stainless steel, brass, aluminium and iron. Averaging 4.5 stars out of 5, customers say the Pentel Sharp Kerry Mechanical is comfortable to use for long sessions of drawing.

Well-balanced and convenient to use, this pencil is accompanied by a large cap that makes it pocket safe. This pencil has a 0.5mm lead and aside from black, you can opt to buy the pencil in olive green or rose.

Of the reviews received, customers rated the compactness of the product very highly and some were impressed with the cap feature, while others thought the pencil looked very "elegant".

Uni Kuru Toga Pipeslide

Best mechanical pencil for writing

Uni Kuru Toga Pipeslide
Image: Supplied/Finder

Pros

  • Tip is always sharp
  • High quality

Cons

  • Body is made of plastic
  • Pricey

Why we chose it

This Pipeslide pencil is part of the Kuru Toga series. With its clean and consistent writing, it's a great choice for professionals. Although the Pipeslide is made from plastic, it is remarkably sturdy and this makes it rather difficult to break.

Offered in a range of different colours, the pencil utilises a lead rotation mechanism so as you draw or write, the lead rotates which enables you to keep the tip sharp at all times. The pencil usually comes with a lead set.

The tip can be retracted on this pencil, making it more pocket-safe. There are less likely to be holes poked in your pocket and the lead-supporting tube can easily be pushed out of the way. The barrel has a gently ridged grip section and the lead rotates roughly 18 degrees with each contact – double that of the original Kuru Toga.

With over 2,300 reviews posted on Amazon, it was very well received as some complimented how soft the pencil is on the lead and therefore is soft on the page.

Zebra DelGuard mechanical pencil

Best cheap mechanical pencil

Zebra DelGuard mechanical pencil
Image: Supplied/Finder

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Prevents lead from breaking

Cons

  • No rubber on the grip
  • Considered rough around the edges

Why we chose it

If you are on a budget, then the Zebra DelGuard mechanical pencil will be the best purchase and it certainly delivers. Absorbing writing pressure well, this pencil is lightweight and it is great to write or draw with for extended periods of time.

The 0.5mm pencil offers a neat solution to the age-old problem of preventing lead breakage. There is a double-spring mechanism with the pencil that secures the lead. Coming with a refillable lead, this pencil has a textured comfort grip as well as a secure pocket clip and an eraser under the push button.

With over 1,600 reviews published on Amazon, customers were very happy with the overall appearance of the Zebra DelGuard. Among the frequently raised remarks was that the lead doesn't break that often and it is very smooth to use.

Graf von Faber-Castell Pocket

Best premium mechanical pencil

Graf von Faber-Castell Pocket
Image: Supplied/Finder

Pros

  • Elegantly constructed
  • Versatile pencil

Cons

  • Very expensive
  • Quite small in size

Why we chose it

Our pick for the best premium mechanical pencil is the luxurious Graf von Faber-Castell Pocket. The pocket pens in the Graf von Faber-Castell range are a fixed length (9cm) and easy to travel with. Also, they are available in both ballpoint pen and propelling pencil format.

In terms of the product specifications, the pen boasts a spring-loaded clip and it is plated in platinum. A cap can be placed on the other end to extend the length of the pencil. It comes with a replaceable eraser concealed under the cap and the item weighs 20g.

Reviewers on Amazon described this pencil as "elegant" and "discreet" and that its simplicity makes it stand out.

Pentel Mechanical Pencil Graphgear

Best mechanical pencil for comfort

Pentel Mechanical Pencil Graphgear
Image: Supplied/Finder

Pros

  • Comes with 6 'Hi-Polymer' HB leads
  • Provides high quality for drawing and writing

Cons

  • Quite weighty
  • Missing pouch to make product easier to use

Why we chose it

A reputable quality auto pencil that is suitable for general and technical writing, the Pentel Mechanical Pencil Graphgear 500 has a textured grip on the barrel which enables control while writing. With around 40 reviews, this Pentel pencil has an average 4.7 stars out 5.

Pentel has provided fine mechanical pencils for over 50 years and this item stands the test. In terms of product dimensions, this Graphgear pencil is 9 x 147mm and weighs 23g, and is made out of metal. The pencil has a replaceable eraser, a metal pocket clip and a 0.3mm lead.

All in all, the Pentel Mechanical Pencil Graphgear ranked very highly and satisfied customers who bought the product. Some described it as being "magnificent" while others hailed the great value for money.

Amazon prices last updated on 28 November, 2023 at 08:01 pm

Methodology

  • We compared major mechanical pencil brands sold on Amazon.
  • We excluded some brands that aren't widely available in Australia.
  • The products featured on this list are chosen by our editorial team and not selected based on commercial relationships.

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