It’s a big EDC market out there, and tons of awesome gear is released all the time. We made The Drop to help you discover the latest and greatest essentials worth a spot in your EDC.
There’s a lot of focus on carrying a pen as part of your everyday carry. But for some, a pencil is far preferred, but EDCing one is tricky. Traditional wood and graphite pencils feel great but are too fragile for pocket EDC. Mechanical pencils swap out wood for plastic or metal. Still, their thin lead refills break easily, and frequently their mechanisms fail at the worst moments. You’ll find that most mechanical pencils are more delicate than standard ballpoint and gel pens. Look instead at the Work-Ready Mechanical Pencil from Rite in the Rain if you need a reliable mechanical pencil. This mechanical pencil features durable plastic and aluminum construction and a thick 1.3mm HB pencil lead refill that writes dark and smoothly on any paper.
With its yellow body and dedicated low-residue rubber eraser, the Rite in the Rain Work-Ready Mechanical Pencil is meant to evoke the look and feel of a traditional pencil. A few notable upgrades include an ergonomic triangular body with a grip section for ease of use and a strong wire clip not found on a regular pencil. With its 1.3mm lead refill, the graphite writing core of this mechanical pencil is less prone to breakage, with other mechanical pencils featuring much thinner 0.5mm and 0.7mm leads. And its HB darkness makes it well suited for workplace notes and even marking on construction material before a vital cut.
What we like: The Rite in the Rain Work-Ready Mechanical Pencil is built to a higher standard than most other options. It’s definitely more sturdy than a traditional wood school pencil.
What to watch out for: If you dislike writing in big, bold words and drawing dark lines, the 1.3mm HB mechanical pencil lead might be too much.
Final verdict: An excellent option if you’re looking to add a quality pencil to your EDC, from a brand with a name synonymous with durability and resilience.