The DelGuard mechanical pencil from Zebra offers a neat solution to an age-old problem with mechanical pencils - broken lead. Their unique, patent-pending double-spring mechanism secures the lead and offers protection from breakage no matter what the writing style, or the angle at which the pencil is used.

The lead feed mechanism is held between springs, so pressing down hard enough will make the lead spring gently back into the pencil, giving a cushioned feel to writing and drawing. There are other pencils with cushioned lead mechanisms, but the DelGuard's is particularly good.

The DelGuard's special trick, though, is protecting the lead from pressure at an angle, too. When writing, you're usually holding the pencil at an angle, which means a lot of the force on the lead is sideways, tending to make it snap. The DelGuard's lead tube actually slides down the lead to hold it when you apply sideways pressure. Write too firmly, and the tube jumps forward to protect the lead so it doesn't snap. In our testing, it seems to be super effective.

Textured comfort grip, secure pocket clip, eraser under the push button. 0.5mm lead. Supplied with HB lead.