Abstract: A mechanical pencil made of a molded plastics material has a flat rectangular cross-section and a slot at one end thereof for passing a flat lead piece. The housing has a front wall provided with a recess and a slot extending longitudinally of the housing in the recess. A pair of toothed racks are provided longitudinally of the housing in the chamber formed therein. A gripper including a thumb-operated slider is provided on the front wall which is bowed and urged against the front wall and is connected to a toothed anchor in the chamber which in turn is adapted to engage the rack members. A pair of bifurcated fingers are connected to the anchor member and the bifurcated fingers engage the lead piece. Cam guide means provide the gripping action of the bifurcated fingers and the releasing action thereof. The gripper is advanced and retracted by depressing the bowed slider to disengage the toothed anchor from the rack member.