# BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencil Review
If you are looking for a reliable, affordable, and easy-to-use mechanical pencil, you might want to consider the BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencil. This pencil is designed to provide a smooth and consistent writing experience for students, teachers, and professionals. In this article, we will review the features, benefits, and drawbacks of this product, as well as compare it with some similar products on the market. We will also share some customer reviews and a purchase link for your convenience.
Features
The BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencil has the following features:
– It has a 0.7 mm medium point that is ideal for a variety of everyday writing activities.
– It comes with three pieces of HB lead that are compatible with most standardized tests.
– It has a built-in eraser that can easily erase mistakes and advance the lead with a simple click.
– It has a hexagonal barrel that prevents rolling and provides a comfortable grip.
– It comes in a pack of 40 pencils that are pre-loaded with lead and ready to use.
Benefits
The BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencil offers the following benefits:
– It is always sharp and does not need sharpening, unlike wooden pencils.
– It produces clear and dark lines that are easy to read and scan.
– It is durable and long-lasting, as each pencil can write up to two times longer than a standard wooden pencil.
– It is economical and convenient, as you can easily refill it with standard 0.7 mm lead when needed.
– It is versatile and suitable for various purposes, such as writing, drawing, sketching, and testing.
Drawbacks
The BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencil also has some drawbacks that you should be aware of:
– It does not have a clip or a cap to protect the tip when not in use.
– It does not have a cushioned or rubberized grip to reduce hand fatigue or slipping.
– It does not have a retractable tip to prevent accidental poking or breaking.
– It does not have a lead indicator to show how much lead is left in the pencil.
– It does not have a lead hardness selector to adjust the hardness of the lead according to your preference.
Comparison
To help you make an informed decision, we will compare the BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencil with three other popular mechanical pencils on the market: the Pentel GraphGear 500, the rOtring 600, and the Pilot Dr. Grip G-Spec Shaker. Here is a table that summarizes their main features and prices:
| Product | Tip Size | Lead Type | Eraser | Grip | Clip | Retractable Tip | Lead Indicator | Lead Hardness Selector | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencil | 0.7 mm | HB | Yes | Hexagonal plastic | No | No | No | No | $8.99 ($0.22 / Count) |
| Pentel GraphGear 500 | 0.3 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm, or 0.9 mm | Any | Yes | Metallic mesh | Yes | No | No | No | $5.69 – $6.99 |
| rOtring 600 | 0.35 mm, 0.5 mm, or 0.7 mm | Any | Yes (replaceable) | Knurled metal | Yes | Yes (push-button) | No | No | $17.00 – $25.00 |
| Pilot Dr. Grip G-Spec Shaker Mechanical Pencil | 0.3 mm or 0.5 mm | Any | Yes (replaceable) | Soft rubber | Yes | Yes (shaker mechanism) | No | No | $9.80 – $10.80 |
As you can see from the table, the BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencil is the cheapest option among the four products, but it also has the least features and customization options. The Pentel GraphGear 500 is slightly more expensive, but it offers more tip sizes and a better grip and clip. The rOtring 600 is the most expensive option, but it also has the most durable and precise design and a retractable tip. The Pilot Dr. Grip G-Spec Shaker Mechanical Pencil is somewhere in between, with a unique shaker mechanism that allows you to extend the lead by shaking the pencil.
Depending on your needs and preferences, you might find one of these products more suitable for you than the others. However, if you are looking for a simple, reliable, and affordable mechanical pencil that can handle most writing tasks, the BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencil might be a good choice for you.
Customer Reviews
To give you a better idea of what other customers think of the BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencil, we have selected some representative reviews from Amazon. Here are some positive and negative comments from verified buyers:
Positive:
– “These are great pencils. They write smoothly and the lead doesn’t break easily. The eraser works well and doesn’t leave any marks. The pencils are lightweight and comfortable to hold. I use them for school and work and they are perfect for both.”
– “I love these pencils. They are cheap, but they work very well. The lead is dark and consistent, and the eraser is effective and long-lasting. The pencils are also durable and don’t crack or break easily. I have been using them for years and I have never been disappointed.”
– “These are the best mechanical pencils ever. They are simple, but they do the job. The lead is strong and sharp, and the eraser is soft and clean. The pencils are also easy to refill and use. I highly recommend them to anyone who needs a good mechanical pencil.”
Negative:
– “These pencils are terrible. They break easily and the lead falls out constantly. The eraser is hard and smudgy, and it wears out quickly. The pencils are also uncomfortable to hold and write with. They are a waste of money and time.”
– “I hate these pencils. They are cheap, but they are also cheaply made. The lead is weak and dull, and the eraser is useless and messy. The pencils are also hard to grip and control. They are not worth buying or using.”
– “These pencils are okay, but they are not great. They work fine, but they are not very smooth or consistent. The lead is sometimes too thin or too thick, and the eraser is sometimes too rough or too soft. The pencils are also not very attractive or stylish. They are just average.”
Conclusion
The BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencil is a basic, but reliable mechanical pencil that can handle most writing tasks with ease. It has a 0.7 mm medium point, a built-in eraser, a hexagonal barrel, and three pieces of HB lead that are compatible with most standardized tests. It is also economical and convenient, as it comes in a pack of 40 pencils that are pre-loaded with lead and ready to use.
However, the BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencil also has some drawbacks that might make it unsuitable for some users. It does not have a clip or a cap to protect the tip when not in use, a cushioned or rubberized grip to reduce hand fatigue or slipping, a retractable tip to prevent accidental poking or breaking, a lead indicator to show how much lead is left in the pencil, or a lead hardness selector to adjust the hardness of the lead according to your preference.
If you are looking for a more advanced or customized mechanical pencil, you might want to consider other products on the market, such as the Pentel GraphGear 500, the rOtring 600, or the Pilot Dr. Grip G-Spec Shaker Mechanical Pencil. These products offer more features and options that might suit your needs better.
However, if you are looking for a simple, reliable, and affordable mechanical pencil that can handle most writing tasks, the BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencil might be a good choice for you.
If you are interested in buying the BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencil, you can click [here] to purchase it from Amazon.com.
We hope this article has helped you learn more about the BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencil and make an informed decision. Thank you for reading!
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