Drafting pencils are the tools of choice for artists, designers, and engineers.
They’re also suitable for anyone looking for exceptional quality
and reliability in a mechanical pencil.
In this video, we’ll tell you about drafting pencils and share our favorites.
Let’s begin!
What Is a drafting pencil?
While there aren’t any strict rules for what counts as a drafting pencil,
most will have some or all of these characteristics.
Design
Drafting pencils typically have a utilitarian design,
and are made out of metal or durable plastics.
Many have knurled or textured grips for control.
Lead Sleeve
Drafting pencils have precise, needle-tipped lead sleeves
that make it easier to draw lines along rulers and stencils.
They can be delicate or prone to pricking surfaces,
so some pencils have retractable lead sleeves to protect them from damage.
Lead Grade Indicator
Many drafting pencils include lead grade indicators
to keep track of what lead grade you’re using.
You can adjust them to match the grade of lead inside the pencil.
Lead Size Range
Most mechanical pencils only come in 0.5 mm
or 0.7 mm, while drafting pencils tend to have an expanded range.
They often offer sizes from 0.3 mm to 0.9 mm, including the elusive 0.4 mm as well.
Eraser with Clean-out Rod
Like many other mechanical pencils,
drafting pencils have small erasers that also act as lead stoppers.
Their erasers usually come with a handy clean-out rod for dealing with lead jams.
Now let’s look at our recommendations for drafting pencils.
Our top pick is the sturdy Platinum Pro-Use 171.
It has all the makings of a good drafting pencil and then some.
You can adjust the length of the lead sleeve by twisting the nose cone.
There’s also a lead-protecting mechanism that slides the lead back
if you accidentally press too hard.
Despite its bulky appearance, the Platinum Pro-Use II is surprisingly lightweight and comfortable.
The unique body shape features gentle curves that
let the pencil rest comfortably in the hands.
Don’t let its price tag fool you--the Pilot S3 holds a candle
to other drafting pencils at a fraction of the cost.
The taper distributes the weight of the pencil towards the tip
so that it’s comfortable to write with.
Since the S3’s slender body is constructed of sturdy plastic instead of metal,
it’s easy on the hands and ultra lightweight.
The Ohto Super Promecha 1500P lets you adjust its features to suit your exact needs.
Not only can you adjust the length of the lead sleeve by twisting the grip,
but you can control how much lead comes out with each click.
Just turn the drum above the grip.
Never fear rogue pencil marks or bent tips with the Uni Shift Pipe Lock.
To use it, push the pencil together and twist to lock it in place.
When you’re done, just twist it again and the spring-loaded mechanism
keeps the tip retracted and protected.
It’s really satisfying to lock and unlock!
The Rotring 600 is the quintessential premium drafting pencil.
What it lacks in specialized features it more than makes up for in quality and craftsmanship.
Each pencil has a substantial brass construction and is precisely assembled.
The Rapid Pro boasts the same quality with a sleeker, more modern design
and a retractable lead sleeve.
If you’d like to know more about these pencils as a whole,
be sure to check out our lineup video in the card above.
Unlike most metal drafting pencils, the Pentel Graph Gear 1000’s grip is inlaid with rubber pads.
The soft, raised pads add extra comfort and traction to your grip.
They also have a spring-loaded clip that doubles as the retracting mechanism
so you can safely carry it around.
If you don’t prefer the industrial look of most drafting pencils,
the Pilot S20’s classy, wooden body will be a breath of fresh air.
The subtle texture of the wood grain makes the pencil easy to grip
and the body has an elegant taper for comfort.
You can choose either a warm, deep red or cool, dark brown wood color.
That’s it for our best drafting pencil recommendations.
Did we mention any of your favorites?
You can find all of these pens at JetPens.com.
Be sure to also check out our blog for a more in-depth look at our top picks.
Thanks for watching!