top of page

Mechanical Pencils

Compare Japanese mechanical pencils by grip, material and lead mechanism. Choose automatic lead advance with the Orenz AT, rotating lead with the Kuru Toga Metal, or a wooden body with the Pilot S20.

Mechanical pencils are the everyday workhorse of Japanese stationery, and this collection brings together the models our customers reach for most. Every pencil here uses 0.5 mm lead, a good all-round size for general writing, note-taking, math and detailed work. Choose a rotating-lead mechanism like the Uni Kuru Toga Metal, which keeps the point even as you write, automatic lead advance like the Pentel Orenz AT, or a wooden body like the Pilot S20 and the Tombow Ki Monogatari.

If you are choosing your first one, start with how you write. Metal bodies and textured grips feel different from wooden barrels in the hand, so think about which you prefer. Not sure where to begin? Try our Pen & Pencil Finder, or put two pencils side by side on the Compare page.

Compare six of our mechanical pencils. Orenz AT vs Kuru Toga Metal. Compare: Kuru Toga Metal vs Alpha Gel Switch · Dr. GRIP vs Alpha Gel Switch.

bottom of page