- [Narrator] Why are drafting pencils so expensive?
For technical drawing and precise sketching,
drafting pencils are the tools of choice.
But are they just glorified mechanical pencils?
In this video,
we'll go over the key features of drafting pencils,
as well as show off some of our favorites.
Let's get started.
What makes a drafting pencil a drafting pencil?
Mechanical pencils can be geared towards students, artists,
and professionals alike.
In comparison, drafting pencils are specifically intended
for professions that utilize technical drawings
such as engineers, architects, and carpenters.
They work well with rulers and stencils
and are relied upon to communicate
accurate, meticulous details.
Long story short, these are pencils
with very important jobs.
Let's go over some of the characteristics
that make drafting pencils unique
from regular mechanical pencils.
Material.
Drafting pencils are made of durable materials
as they have to endure heavy use.
They can be made of aluminum, brass, high-quality plastic,
or even wood.
They typically have an industrial look,
but if this style seems too severe for you,
there are also drafting pencils that come in fun colors
to show off your personal style.
Grip.
Many drafting pencils boast a metal knurled
or textured grip section
for improved control when writing or drawing.
Others incorporate rubber
for added cushioning and grippiness.
Lead sleeve.
Lead sleeves, also known as guide pipes,
provide a clear view of the tip
and make it easy to draw along the edge of a ruler.
Some drafting pencils have lead sleeves
that can retract completely
so they don't poke holes in your pocket or pen case.
They also protect the tips from accidentally being bent.
Small eraser.
Precise writing and drawing calls for precise erasing.
Drafting pencil erasers are usually found
under the push button caps.
We recommend purchasing a separate eraser
in case you have larger corrections to make.
Additionally, some drafting pencils have clean out rods
attached to the undersides of the erasers
in case of lead jams.
Lead grade indicator.
Designers and engineers tend to use multiple lead grades
for different purposes in different pencils.
To keep things organized,
drafting pencils often include
adjustable lead grade indicators that are usually found near
or in the top push button.
We think anyone who is looking for a high quality,
reliable pencil can use a drafting pencil.
Keep watching to check out some recommendations.
Top pick.
rOtring 600.
The rOtring 600 is an iconic drafting pencil
that exemplifies utilitarianism.
It provides a nice weight in the hand
and its hexagonal shape is reminiscent
of its wooden pencil ancestors.
If you're worried about the 600's fixed lead sleeve,
replacement tips are available.
For an even fancier drafting pencil,
check out the 800 series.
It maintains the solid look and feel of the 600
and is able to retract the lead sleeve
by twisting the knurled section near the top push button.
The 800+ can be used as a stylus
when the lead sleeve is retracted
for those whose work is both analog and digital.
Pressure-absorbing tip.
Faber-Castell TK-Fine Vario L.
Combining form and function,
the Faber-Castell TK-Fine Vario L
pay homage to their famous 9000 pencils
with its dark green barrel.
It features a spring cushioning tip mechanism
that allows the lead to slide back slightly into the pencil
minimizing the potential for breakage.
You can twist the grip section to activate
or deactivate the mechanism.
Unique grip. Staedtler 925-75.
Uniformly knurled metal grip sections
may be the norm for drafting pencils,
but the Staedtler 925-75's groove grip section
is made of lightweight and impact resistant ABS plastic.
Its whole body is in fact.
The pencil is tapered so the weight is towards the tip
for greater control and precision.
Similarly, the 925-25 series incorporates a grooved pattern
in its metal knurled section.
Ergonomic. Zebra Tect 2Way.
When you're in the middle of a project,
you need an ergonomic drafting pencil
like the Zebra Tect 2Way.
Its wide plastic grip section has rubber rings
encouraging you to loosen your grip
and preventing your fingers from slipping.
It also incorporates a shaker mechanism
so you don't need to re-grip your pencil to dispense lead.
The shaker can be locked to keep lead
from accidentally extending,
or if you just want to use the top push button.
Budget friendly. Pentel GraphGear 300.
The Pentel GraphGear 300 proves that you can have
an excellent drafting pencil that doesn't break the bank.
It's metal grip section
has both cutouts and raised metal pieces
so you can position your hand where it feels best.
The GraphGear 300 has a translucent body
in four different colors
that makes it easy to spot in a pen case
and also to know which lead size you're using.
Do you have a favorite drafting pencil?
Let us know in the comments below.
Be sure to check out the video in the card above
if you'd like to see even more drafting pencils.
You can shop all these products and more at JetPens.com,
the place for stationery lovers.
Thanks for watching.
(gentle music)