The Best Mechanical Pencil for Math

Math is like poetry for some folks and they just love doing it. If you also love to do the math and aren’t sure what is the best mechanical pencil for math then keep reading, you will surely find the answer. We have done the hard work for you by narrowing the choice for the best mechanical pencil for math. There are a lot of things that are considered when buying a mechanical pencil, but we have configured out the things for you. Besides the 3 best mechanical pencils you can also find a guide in the end.

What is a Mechanical Pencil? 

Mechanical pencils were first used in the 18th century and their design kept on changing continuously. Currently it is available in many designs, some vary in the design while others in the lead type. It has been very popular among writers, designers, and students.

The best mechanical pencils are made to extend a lead which is mostly made of graphite. The lead keeps on rotating, therefore, it doesn’t need to be sharpened; one of the main reasons for its popularity. The lead is not attached to the outer casing thus it’s replaceable.

Here we wouldn’t be talking about the clutch pencils, however, the working of mechanical pencils is much similar to them. The premise of this guide is the best mechanical pencils for math.

Name	Weight	Tip Type	Color	Size
Pentel Graph Gear 1000 Mechanical Pencil	22 grams	Metal	Brown	0.5mm
rOtring 600 Series Mechanical Pencil	22 grams	Metal	Black	0.7mm
Zebra’s M-402 Stainless Steel Mechanical Pencil	13 grams	Metal	Black	0.5mm

Other Names of Mechanical Pencils

Mechanical pencil is known with different names in different regions. Mostly they are termed as propelling pencil, automatic pencil, drafting pencil for technical drawings, and clutch pencil. There are different names for the same thing. So, we most probably would be using the terms interchangeably.

Best Mechanical Pencil for Doing Math – Reviews

1. Pentel Graph Gear 1000 Mechanical Pencil: Check Price on Amazon

Pentel has been serving for more than 70 years and it is one of the best suppliers of writing instruments. Pentel is an award-winning company for constantly serving the community with the highest quality products. The company has a great commitment to provide instruments that you can trust and express your feelings with confidence.

Well, the premise of this guide is the best mechanical pencil for math. But, the diversified design and features of Pentel Graphgear 1000 mechanical pencil make it compatible for a number of professionals, whether you need a mechanical pencil for writing, drawing, design, or math it won’t disappoint you. Read more about the best mechanical pencils for writing here.

If you are fond of getting your hands on well-engineered pencil every day then Pentel Graphgear 1000 should be your first choice. That said, the design and build is the first concern for most of the propelling pencil enthusiasts.

It’s ideal for the folks who get tired with hours and hours of writing, especially doing maths for long hours can cause pain in the hand. The issue is nicely addressed with a firm grip which is provided by the chiseled metallic grip inlaid with soft latex-free pads which not only provides painless writing but is also helpful for the folks with sweaty hands.

Always break your pencil’s tip when storing it? If true, then, you may get rid of breaking the pencil’s tip again and again by having Pentel Graphgear 1000 in your writing instruments. The propelling pencil is equipped with a dual action retractor. What the dual action retractor does is that it offers you to advance or withdraw your pencil’s tip when you are writing or storing it respectively.

You can easily identify the type of lead in the pencil without even testing it on the paper. This cool mechanical pencil comes with the Pentel Super Hi-Polymer HB lead which hardly needs sharpening because the auto-rotate mechanism keeps the lead moving thus providing even writing when doing maths. Easily replace eraser and lead and keep the best metallic mechanical pencil for years.

Whether you want to do maths or write down your emotions on paper, get it done with this awesome mechanical pencil. Pentel Graphgear 1000 is really hard to beat; pick it with confidence.

Pros

• Sturdy comfortable design.
• Metallic grip with soft latex-free pads provides a firm grip over a pencil.
• Dual action retractor to advance and withdraw lead.
• Lead type identifier allows knowing the lead type without testing it on paper.

Cons

• No cons found so far.

2. rOtring 600 Series Mechanical Pencil: Check Price on Amazon

While Pentel Graphgear 1000 is the favorite pencil for most of the people who love to do math with a mechanical pencil. If you don’t like Pentel Graphgear or want to change your taste, there cannot be a better choice than rOtring 600 series mechanical pencil. Before we proceed towards its features let me give an overview of what rOtring is.

The company was started in 1928 in Germany with the first stylographic pen known as “Tintenkuli”. Since then the company is committed to excellence with a vast range of writing tools being shipped in a number of countries. The writing instruments include – markers, ballpoint pens, leads, erasers, refills, technical pens, fountain pens, and more. Let’s have a look at this cool mechanical pencil.

First of all, let me give 10 out of 10 to the black finish of this cool pencil, at least I love the black finish. Other versions are also worth buying but their glossy metal doesn’t provide as much grip as the black version does. It is heavy due to full metal body construction.

You not only get a good mechanical pencil but also great features, one of them is the precision. The lead is advanced so precisely that you won’t break it while writing in a flow; thanks to the precision lead advancement provided by rOtring. Further, you can have clear, steady, and accurate drawings with a ruler because of the balanced weight profile; a major part of which is played by the ergonomic design.

The ergonomic design is what makes it so adorable. The hexagonal shape gives a firm grip when you are writing, moreover, it won’t slip away from you when you set it on a table. The downside is its heavyweight which is not suitable for sketching, but it won’t dissuade you from doing the math.

Check the lead grade in no time with the lead hardness indicator. The good ergonomic design, hexagonal shape, balanced weight profile, and precision makes it worth buying. The features of the rOtring 600 series mechanical pencil are proof of how diligent the rOtring engineers are; the features just speak themselves. Well, the other versions of rOtring are also great, however, the users have more loyalty to rOtring 600; they just enjoy while writing with the 600 series model.

Pros

• The hexagonal ergonomic design makes it perfect for holding hours and hours.
• Lead hardness indicator allows checking the grade of lead.
• Full metal body ensures a long life with precision.

Cons

• Not suitable for sketching because of heavyweight.

3. Zebra’s M-402 Stainless Steel Mechanical Pencil: Check Price on Amazon

The Pentel Graphgear 1000 and rOtring 600 series mechanical pencils are best for doing the math, the Zebra M-402 stainless steel mechanical pencil can be considered to change the taste.

I would digress for a moment – there has been a lot of discussion on Reddit regarding mechanical pencils. Some folks fall in love with some model and they are still using the same for 5-6 years and didn’t like to get their hands on any other version. While some people have changed their loyalty to other models.

That said, choose Zebra M-402 only if you want to change your taste, otherwise, the first two reviewed are most widely used for doing mathematics. Let’s see what it brings to its buyers?

The Zebra M-402  is a classic mechanical pencil with stainless steel build and great precision level, the pencil is great regardless of the fact that it is not much used for doing the math. You are getting a soft rubber grip for a firm hold. Some pencils that have a hard plastic grip are hard to hold after some time, they are even worse for the sweaty hands. So, if you want a steel finish and that with a comfortable fit in your hand; Zebra M-402 should be the primary choice.

It is great as far as it is concerned to take notes, do homework or make an assignment, however, I wouldn’t rate it for doing the math. This model is stunning with its stylish stainless steel finish, replaceable rubber, and comfortable grip. If you love a mechanical pencil that looks like a pen then you should give a try to this model.

Pros

• Exclusive stainless steel build.
• Soft comfortable grip.
• Looks like a pen.
• Long lasting material used in manufacturing.
• Lead won’t get a scratchy edge for a long time.

Cons

• Not suitable if you are used to holding the pencil very low because the metal part gets slippery after some time.

0.5 or 0.7 Which One is Better?

Each mechanical pencil differs in lead size. The size of the lead is usually written on the pencil itself. The most common lead size is 0.5 mm and it is the favorite lead size for writing purposes. The manufacturers are shifting towards 0.7 mm but it is not much popular for writing, however, it is an ideal size for sketching purposes. As mentioned before, 0.5 mm lead size is majorly used for writing so you can get this size for doing maths as well.

Can you use a 0.7 mm lead size on a 0.5 mm mechanical pencil?

This question revolves around a majority of the folks using mechanical pencils. First of all, it doesn’t make sense to do so. You would most probably break the lead when using a pencil. The 0.7 mm lead wouldn’t have enough room to rotate in a 0.5 mm mechanical pencil. The same is true for using a 0.5 mm lead in a 0.7 mm pencil. The only solution is to buy the correct lead size.

If you want my honest opinion, I would suggest you keep a 0.5 mm pencil with you because it is the most popular size therefore easy to replace. On the contrary, if you carry an uncommon size with you, you will have a difficult time finding a lead replacement. Therefore, my suggestion is to go for the size that is easily available all the time. For more details, check out this wikiHow guide on choosing the right lead size.

Watch the helpful mechanical pencil lead size comparison video below:

5 Good Reasons to Use Mechanical Pencils

1. Lead Doesn’t Need Sharpening

One of the greatest advantages of using a propelling pencil is that you don’t require to sharpen the lead at all. The lead rotates such that it doesn’t get a scratchy edge eventually provides a uniform writing style. Just keep on writing without worrying to sharpen the pencil lead. It saves a lot of time, effort, and above all, you don’t have any kind of trash around you which is a by-product when using a wooden pencil.

2. Uniform Line Width

You must have noticed that when we write with a sharpened wooden pencil it writes very thin, as we keep on writing the line gets thicker and thicker over time; a major downside of using wooden pencils. For many folks, this becomes the decision point for buying a mechanical pencil for their work. With the best propelling pencil you can get uniform writing which not only appeals more but also let you enjoy the job.

3. Comfortable Grip

The grip plays an important role in addition to the uniform writing style. Especially if you write for a long period of time a comfortable grip can assist you in getting the job done without wrist or thumb pain. Some pencils have a mix of rubber and metal grip, such kind of pencils are very helpful for people with sweaty hands. Further, a comfortable grip is a plus point for mathematicians because doing math is much different from linear writing.

4. Replaceable Lead

You can keep a mechanical pencil for years; just keep refilling it with lead. The production of wooden pencils requires wood which is obtained by cutting down the trees. Trees play a very important part in keeping the environment clean. Therefore, mechanical pencils are considered to be more environment-friendly. If you keep a mechanical pencil for a long time then assume that you are contributing to make the world a better place to live.

5. Variety of Designs

One of the reasons that why mechanical pencils are so praised is the variety of designs that it comes with. They are available in different designs. Some with a hexagonal body while some have a circular shape. You not only get a pencil to write but also a nice item to add more to the working table environs. So, get a high-end mechanical pencil with a wonderful design to make you love the work you do.

We are not here to change your opinion about wooden pencils. We just intend to list the reasons why mechanical pencils are liked so much across the world. Whether to use a mechanical, clutch or wooden pencil the decision is up to you.

Features to Consider When Buying a Mechanical Pencil for You or Someone You Love

Mostly we are intended to look for the benefits that we can get from our purchased item. Not denying the importance of how sturdy the design should be we are more focused on what the specific product can do for us. With that said, each product differs in functionality and has certain features associated with it that make it worth buying.

We have to figure out the important aspects to look for when buying a specific item. The same is true for automatic pencils. When buying a mechanical pencil you can overcome the uncertainty that whether your investment for the pencil would pay back or not by having a piece of proper knowledge about important features they have.

Gladly, you can figure out what you should look for when buying an expensive mechanical pencil by considering the features mentioned below.

Lead Advancement Mechanism

The innovation is taking place by leaps and bounds so is the case with pencils. The writing instruments have been equipped with modern engineering ideas. Some pencils have a button on the side which is pressed to allow the lead move ahead. The mechanism inside the pencil isn’t that simple enough but it puts the lead on a safer side. With the classic lead feeding mechanism, you would rarely break the lead.

Some people don’t pay much attention to the mechanism when buying a pencil. The mechanism has a lot more to do when it comes to keeping pace with your class during a lecture or write something when you are short of time. For that, you need a rapid mechanism. Well, if you need a fast and reliable mechanism for doing maths then you should opt for auto feed mechanism because it is fast and has been made reliable enough with the time as well.

Erasers

Humans keep on making mistakes. When it comes to writing, mistakes can be undone very easily. Especially, when doing maths one makes a lot of mistakes. If you don’t do so you can surpass the erasers section. But, not everyone is sharp in maths; erasers are helpful very often. Therefore, when buying the best mechanical pencil, you must look for a replaceable eraser. Some pencils have very small eraser. If you make a lot of mistakes when writing then you must look for a long eraser with easy replacement.

Price

How much you want to spend? Whether you like the most expensive mechanical pencils or you are contented with a cheaper one. This is the part which no one can address better than yourself. Good features don’t come in cheap. You have to spare a bit more if you want to have more out of your pencil. What are the features that most inspire you? If you need awesome looks, sturdy design, long-lasting build, and long eraser then you would have to spare some extra bucks.

Lead Size

The lead size greatly depends on your type of job. If you do detailed drawings, math, or you need a mechanical pencil for accounting, you should opt for a thinner lead. For such jobs, 0.5 mm is the most popular lead size. If you press a bit more when writing then you should go for a thicker lead. You can select from 0.3 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm, or 0.9 mm according to the sort of work you do.

As mentioned earlier, the most common size is 0.5 mm, further, if you need more assistance in selecting a lead size then follow the link to the wikiHow guide given above.

Ergonomic Design

Ergonomic designs have owned a substantial share of the market. Most of the people want to have an ergonomic design of whatever they want to purchase. The ergonomic chair, ergonomic mouse, ergonomic keyboard, ergonomic table, ergonomic rotary cutter, and so on.

Where you are spending your hard earned money, spend a bit more and get an ergonomic mechanical pencil which not only looks great when you are holding it but also gives a firm grip for better performance. In my honest opinion, the Pentel Graphgear 1000 has got a nice ergo design, if you like ergonomic designs then you can opt for it with confidence. Go for an ergonomic design.

Conclusion

There you have it, folks. Buying the best mechanical pencil for math is not compulsory at all, the aim is to write with fluency. However, some people give more importance to have eloquence when doing maths or accounting, that’s the time where mechanical pencils play an important part. So, if you also want to enhance your writing experience then look no beyond than a mechanical pencil or pen.

If you require my honest opinion, I would say buy the Pentel Graphgear 1000 propelling pencil, it will disappoint you neither in the design nor in the performance category; it’s the best one out there. If you already own a Pentel Graphgear 1000 or want to change your taste a bit then the next choice should be rOtring 600 Series Mechanical Pencil because it has got all the things that can enhance writing experience and you can really enjoy when doing your work with it. Zebra’s M-402 Stainless Steel Mechanical Pencil should only be considered if you don’t like the other two mentioned above. You can always come back and pick any pencil you want, Good Luck with your pencil.