Page 6 of Mechanical Pencils

Mechanical pencils for office and school use

Mechanical pencils are a must-have for employees, particularly for scheduling and administrative tasks. Erasing and changing appointments or spelling errors is easier than with a pen, where correction tape or White-Out® is necessary and leaves behind marks. Lead pencils also come in handy in schools, when students need them for Scantron® testing and other tasks.

Eliminate sharpening and pencil shavings

Unlike standard number 2 pencils, mechanical models do not require sharpening, which makes them far more convenient for working and traveling. With a twist or click of a button, a new piece of lead extends, reducing interruptions in work. When the lead runs out, employees can simply replenish them with replacement sticks and continue on. There are three main types:

• Twist point - these have a moving mechanism near the tip that advances and retracts lead point
• Side button - easy to push with your thumb while writing, located in the middle of the barrel for ergonomics
• End button - located at the base of the pencil where the eraser is, similar to retractable ballpoint pens

Lessen environmental impact with recyclable barrels

Most mechanical pencil barrels are made with plastic and can be recycled, which promotes a greener workspace. Since they have a replaceable element, you won't have to keep buying them over and over. Some barrels are made with recycled components, making them even more environmentally friendly. You can also find pens and markers that promote recycling.

• Replacement lead - comes in various thicknesses for use with different pencil models
• Erasers - pencils are almost useless without erasers, so stock up on handheld and replacement barrel erasers