How to Find the Best Drafting Pencils

Modern technology may have overtaken the world of art on many levels, leaving pens and pencils resting on desks while architects and engineers click away at their computers to produce the same designs that were once accomplished by ink, lead, and paper.  But, this doesn’t happen all the time.  Many who work as designers, architects, and engineers still enjoy the feel of a drafting pencil scribbling out sketches between their fingers.  Sometimes, they do this alongside their high-tech computer software because it makes the process so much richer.

If you are one of these creatives who still enjoys using a good drafting pencil, then let’s find you the best options for your work.  Craft & Stitch has been designed to help creatives and professionals get the most out of their artwork, hobbies, and careers by providing excellent resources for finding the best crafting tools. We have guides that will make the processes of finding and purchasing items simple so that you can get on to the work that you love so much.

So, if you’re ready to begin sketching with the best drafting pencil ever, let’s get started.

Drafting Pencils: a Quick Definition

Before we jump into a lot of product selection or tips on shopping for a drafting pencil, we need to define the item.  Drafting pencils are pretty much mechanical pencils, but they have a few key features that set them apart and make them a better option for sketching designs.  These differences in features include:

• Drafting pencils are made to be durable. They are built from high-quality materials such as aluminum, brass, or strong plastic; whereas, mechanical pencils are typically built inexpensively and with a less-durable material.
• Drafting pencils usually feature some type of handgrip design to make drawing and sketching more precise; whereas mechanical pencils may have some type of handgrip design, but many do not.
• Drafting pencils are designed with long, narrow lead sleeves, known as guide pipes; whereas, mechanical pencils usually come with very short lead sleeves.
• Drafting pencils are available in a wide range of lead hardness grades so that the many different projects they are used for are done right; whereas, mechanical pencils typically only come in one or maybe two lead hardness grades.
• Drafting pencils also come in a wide range of lead sizes; whereas, mechanical pencils only come in 0.5mm or 0.7mm options.

The Features of a Drafting Pencil

When you begin searching for a new drafting pencil, you should be looking for pencils that offer the following key features:

Hand Grip

This feature could cause you to love or hate your new pencil.  Make sure to test the handgrip of your drafting pencil so that you know that you can hold it comfortably and work with it for many long hours.

Lead Advancement

This is the feature that keeps the lead inside the pencil continually coming out of the tip.  There are several different lead advancement designs, and you will need to decide for yourself which one you prefer.  

Lead Color

If you are someone who works on projects that need color to highlight certain aspects of your sketch, then look for pencils that offer a colored lead.

Lead Size and Hardness

Make sure you get all the pencils you need to complete your project perfectly.  Look for pencil sets that offer different lead sizes and hardness so that you have all your equipment ready to go.

Retractable Tip

This is the feature that will protect the guide pipe that holds the pencil lead.  If the tip is retractable, then you don’t have to worry about bending or breaking this part of the pencil.

What the Marketplace Offers

Now that we have defined our terms and laid out the features we will be looking for in a drafting pencil, we can begin looking at the available products on the market.  All of the recommended products have been gathered using the following criteria:

• Features – We will recommend drawing pencils that have as many of the required features as possible.  We will look for a wide variety of pencils so that you have plenty of quality options to consider.
• Price Range – While we won’t settle on a budget for you, we will be aware of the price range each recommendation is in.  Some of these items can get expensive, and we want to make sure you get the most for your money.
• Ratings & Reviews – All the recommended products must have at least a 4-star rating to be included.  We will, of course, give you the pros and cons of each item so you can mull over all the information available before purchasing anything, but just know, these will all be highly recommended by the majority of those who use them.

The Best Budget Drafting Pencil – Pilot S3 Drafting Pencils

This pencil may be purchased individually rather than as a set so that you can get the right size of lead for your projects.  If you decide to get one of each option, they are color-coded, so you can quickly tell them apart.  Customers rated every pencil option with at least a 4-star rating and priced reasonably at under $10 per pencil.

Pros

• Pencils can be purchased individually in differing lead sizes
• Pencils are color-coded for easy organization
• Designed with a comfortable hand grip

Cons

• The body of the pencil is made from plastic

The Best Colored Drafting Pencil – Jovitec Automatic Pencils for Draft Drawing

With this pencil set on hand, you can do it all.  The set includes 9 pencils and 12 refill cases, 6 in black and 6 in color.  This is a great option for those who need to highlight or show shades of color in their work.

Pros

• Includes a comfortable hand grip
• Cap includes a built-in sharpener
• Includes twelve colored lead refills
• Refill lead is kept in protective sleeves to prevent breaking
• As of the writing of this article, this product has a 4.5-star rating

Cons

• Some customers have commented that the lead breaks easily

The Best Drafting Pencil for Architecture – Rotring 600 Series Mechanical Pencil

The customers have spoken, and they all agree that this pencil is amazing.  The comments about how durable, well-styled, and balanced it is selling it right away.  While this is not a cheap tool, it is an investment worth making if you like to work with quality items.

Pros

• Includes a lead hardness grade indicator
• Includes a knurled grip
• Designed for industrial-strength durability

Cons

• The lead is a bit thin and can easily break with too much pressure

The Best Drafting Pencil for Drawing – My Life Unit Mechanical Pencil for Draft Drawing

This is an extremely reasonably priced item, especially when you consider all that is included in the set.  In one purchase, you will receive two pencils and two tubes of lead refills.  The body’s design is in plastic, but it is so well balanced and includes a non-slip knurled rubber grip.

Pros

• As of the writing of this article, customers have given this item a 4.4-star rating
• Customers are raving about the value and the good grip construction of this item

Cons

• Some customers have commented that they are too lightweight

The Best Drafting Pencil for Engineering – Nicpro Mechanical Pencil Set for Drafting

With this set of three high-quality pencils and plenty of lead refills, you can spend all day working on your projects.  This set is designed for a balanced drafting session with less hand fatigue.  If you don’t think it is the best pencil ever, return it for a refund, no questions asked, with the manufacturer’s risk-free purchase offer.

Pros

• Includes three pencils, six tubes of lead refills, three erasers, and a storage case
• As of the writing of this article, customer reviews have made this a 4.5-star rated item

Cons

• Some customers have commented that the eraser caps fall off easily
• Some customers thought they were too lightweight for their liking

The Best Drafting Pencil Overall – Rotring 800 Mechanical Pencil

A pencil that is simple but sturdy in design is how one would describe this item.  It may be a little pricier than you want, but that is because of the high-quality material used to build it and the quality workmanship that went into every design detail.

Pros

• Uses HB 0.7mm lead
• The retractable tip is a twist and click mechanism
• Customers are raving about how wonderful this pencil is and have given it a 4.8-star rating

Cons

• Some customers have had problems with the lead feeding properly

The Best Drafting Pencil Set – Nicpro Mechanical Pencil Set for Drafting

Plan ahead by buying this set so that you have all the pencil sizes you need to complete every project on the books without spending time and money hunting for more.  Included in this set are four pencils in lead sizes 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, & 0.9 mm widths.  You can’t go wrong when you have one of everything.

Pros

• Set includes four sizes of lead width
• Each pencil includes a non-slip rubber grip
• Customers have given this set a 4.7-star rating

Cons

• Cost ranges over $20
• Some customers have had issues with the lead breaking

The Best Mechanical Drafting Pencil – Pentel Graph Gear Automatic Drafting Pencil

With over 18,000 reviews, this pencil is possibly the most enjoyed by those who work in the architectural and engineering fields.  Its design is simple, sleek, and quality – three features no one can overlook.

Pros

• Uses 4mm length lead
• The metallic hand grip is inlaid with soft pads
• Includes a retractable tip to prevent the lead from breaking
• As of the writing of this article, customers have given this pencil a 4.7-star rating

Cons

• Slightly costly at over $20
• Some customers have commented that it tends to be a little fragile because it is not made entirely from metal pieces.

The Best Wooden Drafting Pencil – Pilot S20 Drafting Pencils

If you love the look of a wooden pencil, then you are going to enjoy selecting one of these pencils for your drafting table.  While they are a bit pricey, they are so good-looking and so fun to use, you won’t really mind.

Pros

• Available in two different colors
• Available in two lead sizes
• As of the writing of this article, customers have given this pencil a 4.4-star rating

Cons

• Some customers have commented that the pencil is too lightweight
• Some customers have commented that the pencil’s tip is too fragile

FAQs

Concluding Thoughts

After looking long and hard through all the amazing drafting pencils on the market, my heart is set on the Pentel Graph Gear Automatic Drafting Pencil.  Sure, it is a little pricey, but all the great reviews have convinced me that it just might be worth the price.  What about you?  I hope you found the drafting pencil of your dreams on our list and are ready to order it today so you can work on your projects soon.

Now that you have found the best drafting pencil for what you do, why not let Craft & Stitch help you find all your other equipment?  We can help you discover the best sketchbook or paper for your artwork.  If you have crafting questions, we have the answers you need.

Research Citations

Architectural Foundation

Jet Pens

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