pencil lead size

[Geo in Winnipeg]

To those of you who make and sell pencils. In your experience which one is most asked for -- .5mm or .7mm lead [?] I prefer the .7mm because I break the .5mm leads quite regularly. I guess I shouldn't try to engrave the paper with them and use a lighter touch.
Thanks, George

 

[RLKnecht]

George,
I make all my sets from the slimline pen and pencil kits which are 0.7mm. I have had customers say that they can't use the 0.5mm for the same reason you sited, too heavy of a hand.
Rick

 

[GregD]

I make 7mm unless 5mm is requested. Again for the same reason of brakage.

 

[driften]

For my self I only use .5mm, the .7mm is just too thick for me. But to each their own. I have no idea what the largest group of customers might want. Heck that can even be diffrent for diffrent areas. You may just have to see what your customers tend to like better.

 

[Geo in Winnipeg]

Thanks very much for the replies. It is as I suspected - most people prefer the .7mm lead but I guess I'll keep a few 5mm on hand for those who prefer them.
Thanks, George

 

[Randy_]

I don't have any first-hand experience; but from what I read here pencils are not big sellers so I wouldn't stock too many.

 

[JayBirde]

PSI sells a "Power Pencil" that has a 2mm lead (versus a 0.5 or 0.7mm). There is a sharpener built into the eraser cap too. Haven't ordered one yet but will soon. Just an idea!

 

[Gregory Huey]

I sell so few pencils that it has not been an issue. I am heavy handeed and prefer the 7mm.

 

[Leslie]

Depends on who you sell them to I guess? I would use both.

Im a pencil( portrait) artist so I have been bugging Jay to get that pencil he listed above to try out.Usually I have to sharpen the lead on a sanding stick.
I use the 0.5 for very small fine detail
A lot of artists use mechanicals or a mechanical clutch.

 

[dougle40]

I guess that I'm also in the 7mm crowd . 5mm leads just seem to be more prone to breakage .

 

[leehljp]

Where can I find .5mm kits? Also, What is the smallest size available in kit form? I need to make a few of those as they are more popular in Japan. The .7mm doesn't write kanji too well.

I bought a few .7mm back in January and that was all that I could find through several searches.

 

[DCBluesman]

Lee, CSUSA use to offer a "Pentel" kit. I believe it's been discontinued, but there is an excellent tutorial by Don Ward (its_virgil) on how to make them. http://www.penturners.org/content/pentel.pdf

 

[melogic]

I personally prefer the .7mm so this is generally all I stock.