While browsing around one of my favorite pen and mechanical pencil shops, I spotted the Staedtler Graphite 771 mechanical pencil. Staedtler’s 771 features a 1.3mm lead size and sports a thick triangular grip, which looks to be great for heavier duty shop and jobsite use.
As discussed in the comments of our Pentel GraphGear 1000 post, smaller lead sizes such as 0.7mm and even 0.9mm leads are too thin and fragile to be used on lumber. The next size up is 2.0mm, which puts down too thick a line unless a separate lead pointer (or makeshift sandpaper sharpener) is used.
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Jumbo-sized barrel and thick break-resistant lead? Sounds great! Unfortunately, I recently ordered more mechanical pencils than I know what to do with. Then again, what’s one more?!
Price: $10-12
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More Info via Staedtler
While not as ubiquitous as 0.5 mm and 0.7 mm, or 2.0 mm, 1.3 mm pencil lead refills are readily available.
Jason
Review via ToolRank
Stuart
Thanks, Jason, that looks like the story I was thinking of! It looks like Chris thought pretty highly of the pencil; I just might have to give it a try.
JML
Staedtler also makes another mechanical pencil that accepts a 1.3mm lead.
http://www.duall.com/store/product/118522.118556/graphite-760-mechanical-pencil-large-triangular-barrel-w-soft-rubber-grip-1-3mm.html
JML
And here’s a picture.
http://www.staedtler.com/upload/760_05_27896.jpg
Stuart
The 760 looks decent as well, but I do like the look of the 771’s yellow for easier visibility.
JeffD
I used my Staedtler for about 2 minutes then I gave it to my grandson. It’s freakin’ huge! Sort reminds me of those huge pencils we had in kindergarten. Don’t get me wrong, this is a great pencil, but not really for shop use. Its bulk prohibits getting into tight places to mark lines. Maybe when I’m really old, and the arthritis has set in.
I use a lead holder for my marking needs as well as a scribe. The lead holder holds a 2mm lead in a bomb proof metal body. The cap holds the eraser and sharpener if I need a needle point mark. Otherwise a quick twirl on some 220 sandpaper and I’m good to go.
Staedtler makes some nice lead holders, but I prefer my Caran d’Ache Fix Pencil. It’s all about Swiss Made items that make me all gushy inside.