Wooden Pencil vs. Mechanical Pencils: Choosing the Write Tool for You

The pencil is a writing accessory through which we all learn writing, and it plays a massive role in the early years of education. Even after students switch to pens in later classes, the pencil remains one of the most important accessories in a typical student's pencil box. For a mature student who has graduated to using pens, a pencil comes in handy in vital rough work and note-taking. For adults, a pencil is really useful in drawing and artwork like sketching.

However, when we talk about pencils, we forget that even within pencils, there are two classes: mechanical pencils and wooden pencils.

With the invention of mechanical pencils, more and more people have started using these instead of wooden pencils. In a sample survey, 35 students were asked which pencils they preferred to use, and 20 of them answered that they preferred mechanical pencils. You might be wondering, will wooden pencils become irrelevant? And are mechanical pencils really that good? Well, in this blog, we are going to compare both of these writing accessories, so read on further to find out.

Mechanical Pencils and Wooden Pencils: The Battle Between Traditional and Modern

When it comes to the composition of pencils, both mechanical and wooden pencils use graphite mixed with clay as the lead for writing. But when it comes to writing quality and convenience, there is a world of difference. You can differentiate between these two writing accessories through the following key aspects

1. Variety

2. Performance

3. Longevity

4. Price Point
   

Variety

Unlike wooden pencils, mechanical pencils do not have a lot of brands and types. Gradually, the number of brands offering mechanical pencils is increasing, but they are not widely available. Suppose you need a mechanical pencil of a specific brand. In that case, chances are that you will have to visit an online shop to get one, as most of the physical stationery shops do not have multiple brands of mechanical pencils.

Another problematic issue that comes up while buying mechanical pencils is the difficulty of finding the right holder for a specific pencil lead thickness. For example, if you need a mechanical lead pencil that delivers a bolder mark than a standard 6B wooden pencil, you will find the pencil lead, but finding a pencil holder that accommodates that specific length would have to be bought separately. This means that you will have to buy multiple lead holders to fit different-sized leads and build your own mechanical lead pencil set. This would inevitably cost extra, and shopping for pencils will also be a hassle. For wooden pencils, a mixed set having pencil leads of different thicknesses is pretty easy to find and widely available.

Performance

A pencil's performance is the most significant factor when it comes to making a choice of writing. Mechanical pencils have an edge over wooden pencils when it comes to consistency. The mechanical pencil is much more precise, and the thickness of the writing does not alter during use, so the markings made by a mechanical pencil are of uniform thickness. This is not the case with a wooden pencil, as the pencil point becomes blunt and starts producing broad markings on the paper until sharpened again.

If you are someone who draws with a pencil, then mechanical pencils are excellent for sketching. In drawing and shading, mechanical pencils would not need to be sharpened if you are working on a large picture. But it would be quite frustrating to work with a wooden pencil as it would need to be sharpened multiple times, which would disrupt your work.

Longevity

We have all encountered a familiar situation of breaking the nib of a mechanical pencil by extending it too much. But apart from this small problem, mechanical pencils do not have any other risk of tip breakage. Since most mechanical pencils have a tip that is retractable, the chance of breaking it accidentally is really less. On the other hand, wooden pencils do not have this advantage. You need to be extra careful and store the pencil in a proper pencil case to maintain the newly sharpened tip of a wooden pencil. Unlike a mechanical pencil, you cannot throw them around or drop them carelessly in a bag without fear of breaking the tip.

Price Point

Generally speaking, people who work with pencils, such as students, artists, or professionals, usually have a high frequency of use. With such a high usage rate, the price of a pencil is something that cannot be overlooked. A typical mechanical pencil is considerably expensive compared to a wooden pencil and can range from $4 to $ 20, depending on the quality and brand.

The wooden pencil has a lower price range and usually costs $10 for 100 pieces. But the price varies widely with the brand. Moreover, the softer a pencil lead gets, the higher the price for both wooden and mechanical pencils.

If you are looking to save money, then purchasing wooden pencils seems a sensible decision, but this cost will add up in the long run. For a mechanical pencil, the initial cost will be high, but as you acquire different pencil holders, buying just the pencil leads will not weigh heavily on the pocket. Finding the correct wholesale pencil supplier that stocks mechanical pencils of your choice will be challenging but can pay off in the long term once you find one.

Conclusion

While both wooden and mechanical pencils have their merits, it's clear that mechanical pencils offer a more versatile and practical option for many individuals. Their consistent lead and erasing capabilities make them the go-to choice for precise work, technical drawings, and everyday writing needs. Additionally, the environmental impact of wooden pencils, given the need for frequent sharpening, is worth considering in today's eco-conscious world. However, personal preferences and specific use cases may still lead some to favor wooden pencils for their unique charm and nostalgic appeal.