I love mechanical pencils, but frankly there isn't a "best." So much depends on your habits and your specific needs... and your personal taste, e.g.,
"I simply can’t do “mechanical pencils” [with sub-mm lead] — too flimsy and uninspiring... I use a Staedtler Mars Technico 2mm Lead Holder" I personally don't like to have to sharpen and leave graphite dust all over the place. But it's a matter of preference. In the case of writing on sheet music, it also depends on your music stand. If the stand doesn't provide a sturdy surface, or if you are writing in a book, which doesn't open flat, then you may be writing against an uneven surface that gives under the pressure of your pencil. Some practical concerns: - Do you tend to lose pencils? Then stock up on the cheapest mechanical pencils that you can buy in bulk <https://a.co/d/dYB9RQJ>. - Do you write on a soft or uneven surface (as discussed above), then use the softest lead you can find (you can easily find 4B lead down to 0.5mm and 2B down to 0.3mm). These will make a clearly visible mark without having to apply much pressure. Lead breakage may be a concern, see the next bullet. - Do you carry your pencil in your pocket, or a soft case? Then you'll want something that prevents the metal lead sleeve from poking holes in your clothes or pencil case. Something that is capped (like the Pentel Sharp Kerry <https://www.jetpens.com/Pentel-Sharp-Kerry-Mechanical-Pencil-0.5-mm-Olive-Green-Body/pd/1776>) or retractable (like the Uni Kuru Toga Advance <https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-Kuru-Toga-Advance-Upgrade-Model-Mechanical-Pencil-0.5-mm-Gun-Metallic/pd/29319> ). - Do you want to make small precise marks? then use thinner lead. For some applications I use sizes down to 0.3mm. But anything 0.5mm or less you should look into pencils that cushion the lead to prevent breakage (I like the Zebra Del Guard <https://www.jetpens.com/Zebra-DelGuard-Mechanical-Pencil-0.3-mm-Black/pd/15074?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21836990838&gbraid=0AAAAAD-ty4S8kmwd3u23ZwtPcHTUnFGsE&gclid=CjwKCAiAybfLBhAjEiwAI0mBBhK5Is3RcfCRexzj-W7S1q60STaoFpBcnXQpwl2joHSY2ZybEoXcfRoC5M4QAvD_BwE>). The Uni Kuru Toga Advance <https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-Kuru-Toga-Advance-Upgrade-Model-Mechanical-Pencil-0.5-mm-Gun-Metallic/pd/29319> also cushions the lead a bit (as part of its auto-sharp mechanism), though not as well as the Del Guard. Go to a specialty store (physical or online) and try a few. They are usually not expensive. I highly recommend also trying different lead sizes and hardness. This is too often overlooked, but different leads create vastly different marks and writing experiences. I have different "favorites" for different purposes. I keep a Pentel Sharp Kerry (0.5mm HB) in the pocket of all my coats. I use Zebra Del Guard (0.3mm 2B) at my desk for everyday writing. But I have cheap disposables around the house and for my music stand (0.5mm 2B) as well as my garage workshop (0.5mm various color leads) because I lose them all the time. Happy hunting. On Tue, Jan 13, 2026 at 2:19 AM Kieren MacMillan < [email protected]> wrote: > Hi Gabriel, > > > *By the way, I’d welcome recommendations of the best mechanical pencils > for annotating music (off-list, please, since this is not about LilyPond). > > It may be helpful to others, so I split the thread. :) > > > I was excited about my first Rotring 600, and there is a lot that I like > about it, but also it frustrates me often, and I’d like to try another > model. > > I simply can’t do “mechanical pencils” [with sub-mm lead] — too flimsy and > uninspiring. > > I use a Staedtler Mars Technico 2mm Lead Holder like this: > > https://www.staples.ca/products/977655-en-staedtler-mars-technico-2mm-lead-holder-metal-grip > > I have a range of leads available, but tend to use an HB to markup and a > 2B or B for composition. > My 750 has a lead sharpener cleverly built into the thumb-push, so that’s > taken care of. > > Hope that helps! > Kieren. > __________________________________________________ > > My work day may look different than your work day. Please do not feel > obligated to read or respond to this email outside of your normal working > hours. > > >
