Pencil Leads

Aurora Noodler's Parker Pelikan
Private Reserve Sheaffer Waterman Other Ink
Ziller Vintage Ink Erasers Pencil Leads
Other Converters Other RB & BP Refills Ink Accessories Ink Facts & Reviews


This page last updated 4/14/15


Vintage Scripto Pencil Lead Display
Sorry, not for sale!

We stock a variety of pencil leads, including some hard to find sizes. Please note that especially with the early Victorian leads, supplies may be limited.



LEAD DEGREES

Leads come in a variety of different degrees, also known as hardness which determines how dark or light they write. We've noted below wherever were able, the degree of the leads we offer for sale. General rule of thumb to remember is that the more H you see in the degree, the harder and lighter the lead will write. The more B you see in the degree, the softer and darker the lead will write. HB is the equivalent of the standard No. 2 pencils you probably grew up using.

Common Lead Degrees:

  • H - hard, light writing, equivalent to no. 3 pencil
  • F - hard, light writing, equivalent to no. 2 1/2 pencil
  • HB - in the middle, equivalent to no. 2 pencil
  • B - soft, dark writing, equivalent to no. 1 pencil

Common Vintage Lead Sizes

The most common sizes of lead for vintage mechanical pencils were 1.1mm and 0.9mm. 1.1mm leads were frequently referred to as "thick" lead and the 0.9mm size was often referred to as "thin" lead. Of course, today, there are much thinner diameter leads made, but we're talking antique pencil leads!

For your reference:
1.1mm = 0.046 inches
0.9mm = 0.036 inches

Victorian Lead Designations

Many old pencil makers such as Mordan, Baker and others and especially in England and Europe used a letter designation to indicate the diameter of the lead used. There was no standard for this, so it's always best to try and spec out your lead diameter with an electronic micrometer or caliper. Here's a listing of lead designations we've compiled:

AM = 1.5mm
H = 0.80mm
M = 1.0mm
VS = 1.5mm
W = 2.0mm




Victorian Eversharp Parker
Sheaffer Others Vintage Containers
Refill Instructions



VICTORIAN PENCIL LEADS

mordan.jpg - 4485 Bytes

LD100 1.5mm VS, .75 inch length, pre-sharpened $1 each
LD329 1.0mm Type M leads, 2 3/8 inches long, unusual size lead made for select Mordan pencils. $1 each



VICTORIAN DROPPER PENCIL REFILLS

dropper.jpg

Early Victorian Dropper pencils use a small diameter pencil. Refills measure .25 inch in diameter and are 3.25 inches long. Pre-sharpened.
DROPPER Dropper Pencil refill
Sorry, temporarily out of stock
$1 each




EVERSHARP LEADS


Leads
LD519 Eversharp Leads, black, white and red cardboard tube. Holds 7 leads 0.75 in diameter(quite large!), 1 3/8 in long, GREEN lead. This is a soft consistency for checking or drawing. $5


Leads

Leads
New
LD580
Eversharp Red Top Lead Display -ca. mid-1940s Eversharp pencil lead display with two original tubes of lead. Cardboard display with easel on the backside (easel is intact and never used) is printed in vivid red, yellow and black so you wouldn't miss it sitting on a counter top. Noted on the lower edge is: "As Featured on take It or Leave It" CBS Sunday Nights and "As Featured on Let Yourself Go" Blue Network Tuesdays. Wood pencil lead tubes with black and red paper wrapper hold 12 pieces of 1 3/8 inch leads, 1.1mm diameter, Black Hard. The two tubes with display have never been opened. The display comes with the original outer cardboard box which is quite well worn. Display measures 5 5/8 x 12.75 inches. Very good condition. $25








PARKER LEADS


leads
LD415 Parker lead and eraser combo package. 12 each 0.5mm HB leads and 4 each 3.5mm eraser. Pink erasers with black plastic sleeve. Lead and erasers come in a Parker plastic tube. Erasers fit Parker 75 plastic pencils and other later 0.5mm lead models. $2


leads
LD417 Parker 0.7mm HB Polymer leads. Black. 3 inch length. 12 leads per cardboard tube. $3


Leads
New
LD584
Parker 0.5mm diameter Pencil Leads 20 pieces of 0.5mm diameter HB (#2 pencil) Pencil Leads. Length is 2 3/8 inches long. 20 leads per package. Many available. $2/pk







SHEAFFER LEADS


Leads
LD169 Sheaffer Pencil Leads, yellow metal slide out container. 0.9mm diameter, 2.75 in long, 2H (very hard), 12 leads per container. $3


Sheaffer Pencil Leads - Loose

These came to us in a big clear box full of loose leads! We have put them into packs of 20 leads. 0.9mm 2.75 inch length. They'll come to you in some kind of tube or container, but not original Sheaffer container.

LD185 HB Medium $3


Leads
LD378 Sheaffer Ultra-Fineliner Pencil cartridge lead refills, 0.5mm dia, cartridge length is 2 inches. Instructions included. $2


Leads
LD473 Sheaffer Pencil Leads, yellow and black slide out tin container, 0.9mm diameter, Medium HB, 1 3/8 inches long. 18 leads per container $3


Leads
LD498 Sheaffer Ultra Fineline Pencil Leads, 0.5mm diameter, 2.25 in long, BLUE, 9 leads in tube. Bright yellow plastic tube with blue lettering. Unusual imprint on the tube: W.A. Sheaffer Pen Co Fort Madison, Iowa Made in Japan, Caution: Designed for use in Sheaffer Ultra Fineline Pencils Only". $5


Leads
LD527 Sheaffer Fineline Pencil Leads in yellow and blue metal slide out container. 18 leads in container. 0.9mm diameter, 1 3/8 in long, H Medium Hard. $4


Leads
LD534 Sheaffer 0.9mm 4H (hard to find!) pencil leads in metal black and yellow tin slide out container. 15 leads, 2.75 inches long. $4


Leads
LD553 Sheaffer 0.9mm /.036 in diameter Pencil Leads - 0.9mm diameter. Package contains 12 black HB (equivalent to No. 2 pencil) leads. Each lead is 2.75 inches long, commonly referred to as long leads. $3


Leads
LD556 Sheaffer'S Short Fineline Leads - Bright yellow and blue cardboard tube, there are 25 leads in each tube. HB which is equivalent to a No. 2 pencil. Leads are 1 3/8 inches long. Not a very common package for Sheaffer leads. Excellent condition. $5


Leads
LD566 Sheaffer Short Fineline Pencil Leads, bright yellow and royal blue cardboard tube, 0.9mm diameter, 1 3/8 in long, F, 25 leads per tube. $4


Leads
LD567 Sheaffer Short Fineline Pencil Leads, bright yellow and royal blue cardboard tube, 0.9mm diameter, 1 3/8 in long, H, 25 leads per tube. $4


Leads
LD568 Sheaffer Short Fineline Pencil Leads, bright yellow and royal blue cardboard tube, 0.9mm diameter, 1 3/8 in long, 2H, 25 leads per tube. $4


Leads
LD570 Sheaffer Fineline Pencil Leads, bright yellow and blue metal pull out container, 0.9mm diameter, 1 3/8 in long, Blue, 16 leads in tube. $4


Leads
LD572 Sheaffer Pencil Leads, bright yellow and black metal pull out container, 0.9mm diameter, 1 3/8 in long, Red, 12 leads in container. $4


Leads
LD573 Sheaffer Fineliner Pencil Leads, bright yellow and blue metal pull out container, 0.9mm diameter, 2.75 in long, F, 14 leads in container. $4


Leads
LD575 Sheaffer Fineliner Pencil Leads, bright yellow and blue metal pull out container, 0.9mm diameter, 2.75 in long, H, 12 leads in container. $4


Leads
LD576 Sheaffer Fineliner Pencil Leads, bright yellow and blue metal pull out container, 0.9mm diameter, 2.75 in long, HB, 12 leads in container. $4


Leads
LD577 Sheaffer Fineliner Pencil Leads, bright yellow and blue metal pull out container, 0.9mm diameter, 2.75 in long, Blue, 12 leads in container. $4


Leads
LD579 Sheaffer Pencil Leads, bright yellow and black metal pull out container is marked with the stylized Sheaffer "S", 0.9mm diameter, 2.75 in long, HB, 15 leads in container. $4 $4







AUTOPOINT LEADS - VINTAGE

Autopoint Leads
LD271 Autopoint pencil leads, HB Medium, 0.5mm dia, 1.5 inches long, silver and black cardboard tube. 12 leads per tube. $3




BEROL

LD321 Berol Pencil Cassette Cartridge, 0.5mm dia leads inside cartridge, HB, erasers still erasing, but not as soft as original. Fits Berol Cassette Pencils. $2



EAGLE LEADS

LD545 Eagle Turquoise drafting leads, 2.0mm diameter, 3H degree, 5 in long. 1 piece of lead available, not packaged. $2


Leads
LD546 Eagle Turquoise drafting leads, 2.0mm diameter, 2H degree, 5 in long, 3 pieces of lead in original turquoise slide out container. $6


Leads
LD547 Eagle Turquoise drafting leads, 2.0mm diameter, F degree, 5 in long, 7 pieces of lead in original turquoise slide out container. $14




STAEDTLER MARS LEADS
Staedtler Mars
LD-300 Staedtler Mars Micrograph leads, 0.9mm diameter, 2H, 12 leads per tube. $3
LD-301 Staedtler Mars Micrograph leads, 0.9mm diameter, 4H, 12 leads per tube. $3
LD-303 Staedtler Mars Micrograph leads, 0.9mm diameter, 3H, 12 leads per tube. $3
LD-304 Staedtler Mars Micrograph leads, 0.9mm diameter, H, 12 leads per tube. $3
LD-306 Staedtler Mars Micrograph leads, 0.9mm diameter, HB, 12 leads per tube. $3




MISCELLANEOUS LEAD


Leads
LD390 Red Supreme Checking Leads by the General Pencil Co in Jersey City, NJ. Bright red and white paper wrapper encircles this old wooden lead container. This tube has been opened and it has several sticks of red lead inside. Very good condition. $5


Leads
LD391 Highest Grade Blue Lead No. 2507. Dark blue and white paper wrapper covers the wood lead container. There is no indication at all as to who made or was distributing this particular lead, very odd since in this day and age brand name and as much info as they could squeeze into the space was always included! The tube has been opened, no leads inside. Very good condition. $5


Leads
LD497 Scripto F350 Pencil Leads, 0.5mm dia, 2.25 inches long, HB, 12 leads per tube. Transparent grey plastic tube with white lettering. $3


Leads
LD539 General Pencil Company, Jersey City, NJ USA vintage pencil leads, black and red cardboard box, wood tray inside holds 8 RED leads, 0.9mm diameter, 4 inch length. Box originally held 12 leads, flaps on one end of box are torn. Otherwise very good condition. $3


Leads
LD581 Cross 0.7mm lead, HB, 2.5 inch length. 15 leads per tube. New stock in clear plastic tube. $3


Leads
New
LD582
Vintage Lead Container and Lead -Deep teal Lead Container with black screw on cap hold 5 pieces of 1.1mm diameter pencil lead (appears to be HB/No.2 grade), each piece is pre-sharpened and is one inch in length. Container measures 1.75 in long and is 5/16 in diameter. Excellent condition. $10







Refilling your
Vintage Mechanical Pencils

Most mechanical pencils made before the late 1960s and some even after that are refilled by feeding lead in from the Point End. Those that feed from the barrel (below the eraser) are a fairly modern invention! Don't be fooled by leads in the barrel, in older pencils, that was simply a space to store a few extra leads, but that's it - just storage. As always with vintage writing instruments, exceptions will crop up!

The instruction below are from a Sheaffer package insert, but apply to most older mechanical pencils.

Pencil Refill Instructions





Click here to read our No Quibble Satisfaction Guarantee!
Click here for Ordering Instructions
Pendemonium Special Services
Gift wrapping, personalized enclosure notes and more. Click here for details.

Sign up for INKY GREETINGS
Pendemonium's direct email list featuring special offers, new items and pen community news exclusively for subscribers.

Click here for Fountain Pen Filling Instructions
Comprehensive listing of Pen Manufacturers and Repair Centers Click here


Return to Top of Page Pendemonium's Home
All Images and Content
©Copyright 1995-2015
Pendemonium 
All Rights Reserved.