Intricate, calligraphic writing, mathematical equations and artistic sketches demand a steady yet agile hand, as well as a premium instrument. Luckily for all artisans – both scientific and virtuosic – stationery experts over in Japan have mastered the art of crafting ingenious pens and pencils with which to perfect your skills.
Deeply ingrained in Japanese culture is the concept of Kodawari – the uncompromising and relentless pursuit of perfection. Though it affects all areas of life including work, relationships and personal development, it’s never more evident to Western counterparts than in Japanese invention.
Expert craftsmanship in Japan is influenced by the continued use of traditional methods dating back centuries. When it comes to stationery, these methods include washi papercraft, urushi lacquer and fude calligraphy – the latter of which requires the use of artisanal brush pens.
Contemporary pens and pencils, though used for different purposes, are made with the same attention to detail as the instruments used for ancient Japanese calligraphy. It’s why they’re so beloved by stationery enthusiasts, and why we’re willing to pay a premium for their import.
The main players in the Japanese stationery game are Pentel, Tombow and Pilot – though they’re not the only experts. The Swiss are also pretty good at stationery, with brands like Caran d’Ache leading the way, known in particular for their high-quality and precise instruments which are crafted in Europe.
An unsung hero of any stationery lover’s arsenal is the humble mechanical pencil. Perfect for those who intend on making mistakes, they offer the consistent precision and line width of a classic rollerball ink pen without the permanence. They’re refillable and reusable, preventing artists from savouring the dregs of their favourite pencil and drawing with approximately three centimetres left of the instrument.
Mechanical pencils are also more comfortable to hold for longer periods, especially when equipped with rubber grips. Though they’re sold in a variety of millimetre widths for all your drawing and graphing needs, the most popular size in Japan is 0.4mm – perfect for intricate equations, Japanese characters and even manga. However, it’s not commonly available in Europe, where we instead tend to compromise with fine 0.3mm lead, or sturdier 0.5mm lead.
We’ve curated a selection of the best mechanical pencils for artists and mathematicians alike. Keep scrolling to improve your craft tenfold.
Pentel 120 Automatic Pencil (A300 Series)
Available sizes: 0.3mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm, 0.9mm
Equipped with a strong metal clip, integrated eraser and robust construction, the Pentel 120 Automatic Pencil is a fine, value-for-money choice for those looking to experiment with high-quality mechanical pencils without breaking the bank. It has a latex-free grip and is refillable with Pentel refill leads and a Z2-1N refill eraser.
Buy now £5.25, Cult Pens
Pentel GraphGear 1000 Mechanical Pencil
Available sizes: 0.3mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm, 0.9mm
A fan-favourite among manga artists, the Pentel GraphGear 1000 is realised in a sleek and comfortable brushed steel barrel. The premium mechanical pencil is suitable for technical drawing and drafting, and comes with six Pentel ‘Super Hi-Polymer’ HB leads included, plus one eraser which can be replaced. Lead retracts with the help of a lockable sliding sleeve, and there’s also a lead grade indicator if you’d like to experiment with different types.
Buy now £28.30, London Graphic Centre
Leuchtturm1917 Drehgriffel Nr. 2 Mechanical pencil
Available sizes: 0.7 mm graphite lead
Featuring a unique twist mechanism, the Nr.2 Mechanical pencil by Leuchtturm1917 is crafted from lightweight and durable aluminium. The front tip features a fine steel point for the utmost precision, and the refill reservoir is capable of housing several pieces of lead simultaneously.
Buy now £24.50, London Graphic Centre
Caran d’Ache Ecridor Retro Pencil
Available sizes: 0.7 mm graphite lead
This elegant and luxurious art deco-style pencil pays homage to the very first Caran D’Ache mechanical pencils made from precious metals to hit the market in 1947. It features a platinum-coated finish and is equipped with a high-precision, 0.7mm mechanism. The replaceable eraser is hidden discretely under the push mechanism.
Buy now £132.60, The Pen Shop
OHTO Sharp Mini Mechanical Pencil
Available sizes: 0.5mm, 2.0mm
For those who enjoy the feel and aesthetics of a classic pencil, but prefer the practicality afforded by a mechanical one, the OHTO Sharp Mini Mechanical offers the perfect solution. Offered in a range of barrel colours, the hexagonal cedar pencil is a delight to use and hold – though we recommend investing in a pencil grip if you’re going to be drawing or writing for longer periods of time.
Buy now £5.75, Cult Pens
Rotring Tikky Retro Mechanical Pencil 0.5mm
Available sizes: 0.5mm, 0.7mm
With an elegant satin finish on the barrel and a smooth, velvety performance, the Rotring Tikky Retro Mechanical Pencil is an affordable professional pencil for artists looking to hone their craft. It features a replaceable eraser under the push button, a strong metal pocket clip, a fixed lead sleeve and a comfortable grip area.
Buy now £5.00, Cult Pens
Kaweco Skyline Sport Mechanical Pencil
Available sizes: 0.7mm, 3.2mm
First launched in 1911, we love the oversized octagonal silhouette of the Skyline Sport pencil by Kaweco, which will certainly never get lost in your bag while on the move. Despite its larger size, it’s incredibly lightweight and easily refillable.
Buy now £17.50, Cass Art
Pilot Dr.Grip Mechanical Pencil 0.5mm
Available sizes: 0.5mm
At first glance, it’s hard to believe that this option from Pilot isn’t simply a ballpoint pen. With its robust, grippable design and precise 0.5mm nib, it’s no wonder the Dr.Grip has become a cult favourite within the stationery community. The pencil is also equipped with a locking mechanism to prevent your lead from extending or sliding out unnecessarily.
Buy now £8.59, Etsy
Tombow Mono Graph Mechanical Pencil 0.5mm
Available sizes: 0.5mm
This fun, sleek mechanical pencil from Tombow deploys lead with a shake – simply point the nib downwards and shake it back and forth until the lead advances. Then, to prevent any mechanical mishaps, slide the clip into the lock position.
Buy now £10.00, Amazon
Hightide Timber & Brass Pencil
Available sizes: 2mm
Crafted by Japanese brand Hightide, these timber and brass pencils are a delicate and stylish option for the note-taker who prefers a pencil full o’ lead. Despite the sleek and balanced American cedar wood casing, the lead is 2mm thick, making it a strong and robust tool no matter the writing task at hand.
Buy now £18.00, Cult Pens
