A recent post by xcel reminded me that I need a mechanical pencil. Ideally the same size as a normal pencil and ideally ~15 USD (200 ZAR) since anything above that price has a habit disapearing from my desk.
A recent post by xcel reminded me that I need a mechanical pencil. Ideally the same size as a normal pencil and ideally ~15 USD (200 ZAR) since anything above that price has a habit disapearing from my desk.
This is where I proclaim the wonderfulness of a 2mm lead holder. you sharpen it like a normal pencil with this really small sharpener. you can then buy a tin of different 2mm leads of different colors or hardness.
Staedtler makes a pretty good one for 10 bucks. my favorite is an aluminum one by Caran D’ache.
If you just have to have .5mm get a uni kuru toga. They have one that rotates the lead every time you press down so you always start with a sharp edge.
The Staedtler lead holder is a perfect BIFL product. I had mine for years until I somehow lost it. I couldn’t find a Staedtler at a store near me, so I ended up buying one from a brand called Alvin. I hadn’t heard of it before, but it feels like it’ll also last forever. Has a metal body and everything. https://alvindrafting.com/products/pro-matic-metal-lead-holder
Other upside of a lead holder: no more little broken 0.5 mm pieces ending up all over the room.
This is the correct answer on both fronts.