Mechanical Pencils

zethreal · Sep 19, 2014

Hey guys, it has been a while since I've been on/around. I've bought/found a few new FP's in the year + since I've been seen around here.

I've also gotten into something "new" older mechanical pencils. I currently have 2 non-named ones. One has 3 or 4 leads, one is empty. I also just purchased (via ebay, slayer of wallets ) 4 more. My major questions are - where can one find out what lead refills you need for them and are any of the sizes needed still produced or is NOS the only way to go?

The ebay auction was for 2 shaeffers, a wearever 2-in-1 and an eversharp. ( pictured below ). The 2 I would like to get "in rotation" first would be the top left sheaffer ( silver/red marble ) and the rosewood(?) Eversharp. The Wearever & other Sheaffer will either be added to my collection or given to someone to get them started.

Any help on the leads I would need would be helpful!

Also, I'm glad to be back!

Rockminer · Sep 19, 2014

Can't help with the questions, but I did want to welcome you back to the site. It's good to see you again Shane :thumbup:

djm2 · Sep 19, 2014

zethreal said:
Hey guys, it has been a while since I've been on/around. I've bought/found a few new FP's in the year + since I've been seen around here.

I've also gotten into something "new" older mechanical pencils. I currently have 2 non-named ones. One has 3 or 4 leads, one is empty. I also just purchased (via ebay, slayer of wallets ) 4 more. My major questions are - where can one find out what lead refills you need for them and are any of the sizes needed still produced or is NOS the only way to go?

The ebay auction was for 2 shaeffers, a wearever 2-in-1 and an eversharp. ( pictured below ). The 2 I would like to get "in rotation" first would be the top left sheaffer ( silver/red marble ) and the rosewood(?) Eversharp. The Wearever & other Sheaffer will either be added to my collection or given to someone to get them started.

Any help on the leads I would need would be helpful!

Also, I'm glad to be back!

View attachment 497682

I can't tell you the exact sizes. Most mechanical pencils that I have used -- and I haven't used those -- are 0.7 or 0.9 mm and can be purchased at any office supply store.

nemo · Sep 19, 2014

A lot of vintage leads are 1.1mm and 0.9mm. You'll need to figure that out by measuring what you have left, if anything.

I've seen them here and here

techblade01 · Sep 19, 2014

Try going on some of the fountain pen store sites. If you lived in the Phoenix metro area I would go to Penworks.

Bob L. · Sep 19, 2014

Dave's Mechanical Pencils has some good information regarding the different leads out there.
http://davesmechanicalpencils.blogspot.com/p/top-10-general-mechanical-pencils.html

Here's a Pendemonium Guide - http://www.pendemonium.com/ink_leads.htm

Here's something from Vintage Pens - http://www.vintagepens.com/FAQbasics/pencillead.shtml

Here's a good collecting article - http://www.collectorsweekly.com/office/pencils

If you are looking for a great modern mechanical pencil that will last through over twenty years of constant use... Check out the Pentel Kerry mechanical pencil. I bought mine decades ago and still use it every day!

zethreal · Sep 19, 2014

Thanks for the info!

Bob L. I've had modern mechanical pencils, but I press too hard with them and keep snapping leads. I currently have an old mechanical that has a thicker lead & I haven't had it break on me yet.

Bob L. · Sep 20, 2014

One of these articles talks about lead hardness / brittleness. It might help you find a lead that will not break so much.

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