Pentel Quicker Clicker: The Side-Button Mechanical Pencil
The Pentel Quicker Clicker is a mechanical pencil with a button on the side of the barrel, so you advance lead without moving your hand from the writing position. Pentel of America sells it in 0.5 mm (PD345), 0.7 mm (PD347) and 0.9 mm (PD349). Retailers list it at 5.7 in long and made in Japan.
On this page
Product facts
- Product
- Pentel Quicker Clicker mechanical pencil, 0.5 mm (PD345A black)
- Brand
- Pentel
- Brand origin
- Japan
- Made in
- Japan*
- Material
- Plastic barrel, latex-free grip, brass clutch, metal tip
- Price range
- $$$5–20 per pencil (multi-packs divided by the count)
Notes on these facts
- Made by ASTRUM Corporation (Tokyo), called Pentel Co., Ltd. until April 1, 2026; Pentel remains the brand. Made in Japan: Pentel of America's 2022 catalog gives the origin of the Quicker Clicker line (PD345, PD347, PD349) as Japan, and McKesson gives Japan as the country of origin for the 0.5 mm 2-pack (PD345BP2-K6). Pentel's Japanese site doesn't list the pencil. Source. Price: example listing.
- Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026.
Key takeaways
- Three lead sizes: 0.5 mm (PD345, fine line), 0.7 mm (PD347, medium) and 0.9 mm (PD349, thick), per Pentel of America's 2022 catalog.
- US retailer listings give the PD345 a length of 5.70 in (about 145 mm).
- The side button feeds lead mid-sentence; the end of the pencil holds a capped eraser that takes PDE-1 refills.
- It ships with Pentel Super Hi-Polymer HB lead, and Staples shows the 0.5 mm 2-pack at 4.8 stars from 259 reviews.
- Pentel's catalog and a McKesson listing give Japan as the origin.
What is the Pentel Quicker Clicker?
The Pentel Quicker Clicker is a mechanical pencil whose lead is advanced by a button on the side of the barrel instead of at the top. Pentel of America’s catalog says the side button propels lead for continuous writing without changing your writing position.
It appears to be an export model: Pentel’s Japanese site doesn’t list it in our searches, while Pentel of America sells it on its own US site.
It is an old design. The Gentleman Stationer remembers it as a favorite of the 1990s and says it is still sold today, mostly unchanged. Retailer copy calls it the original side-advance mechanical pencil; we found no launch date from Pentel.
Pentel Quicker Clicker specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Maker | ASTRUM Corporation (formerly Pentel Co., Ltd.), Tokyo; US seller Pentel of America |
| Models | PD345 (0.5 mm), PD347 (0.7 mm), PD349 (0.9 mm) |
| Lead | Pentel Super Hi-Polymer HB, preloaded |
| Lead advance | Side button |
| Eraser | At the end, under a cap; PDE-1 refills |
| Grip | Latex-free |
| Clutch | Brass, per Pentel of America |
| Sleeve | Fixed |
| Length | 5.70 in (about 145 mm) |
| Made in | Japan (catalog and McKesson) |
Models and features come from Pentel of America’s catalog, its product page and retailer listings; the length comes from Walmart and OnTimeSupplies. Pentel’s Japanese site has no page for the pencil, so there is no Japanese list price or model code to add. Weight figures in listings disagree, so we leave weight out.
How does the side button work?
You press the button with your index finger while you hold the pencil, and it pushes out a little more lead. There is no need to turn the pencil around or move your grip to click the top, which is what the name refers to.
Retailers also mention a protective tip that steadies the lead to reduce breakage. The trade-off is that the button sits where some people grip, so a heavy hand can click it by accident; Staples reviews are mostly positive, but a few say the mechanism broke.
Which lead size should you choose?
Pick 0.5 mm (PD345) for everyday notes, 0.7 mm (PD347) if you press hard, and 0.9 mm (PD349) for bold, break-resistant lines. Pentel’s catalog calls them fine, medium and thick line.
The 0.7 mm size matches the lead of the BIC Xtra-Smooth, the cheap school pencil it most often competes with.
How does the Quicker Clicker compare to other pencils?
It is the side-button option among inexpensive Pentels; the Twist-Erase III has the bigger eraser and the Pentel Sharp P205 is the drafting pencil.
| Quicker Clicker | Twist-Erase III | Sharp P205 | BIC Xtra-Smooth | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead advance | Side button | See guide | Top button | Eraser cap |
| Lead sizes | 0.5, 0.7, 0.9 | 0.5, 0.7, 0.9 | 0.5 (0.7, 0.9 as P207/P209) | 0.7 |
| Eraser | Capped, PDE-1 | Jumbo twist-up | Under cap | Top eraser |
| Made in | Japan | Japan | Japan | Mexico (most listings) |
Specs for the others come from our guides to each, which cite their own sources. For a capped pocket pencil from the same maker, see the Pentel Sharp Kerry.
What refills does the Quicker Clicker take?
It takes any lead of its size and Pentel’s large PDE-1 refill eraser, according to Pentel of America. The pencil ships with Pentel Super Hi-Polymer HB lead, which shops label #2 or #2.5.
As with most mechanical pencils that load from the back, you refill the lead under the eraser; check the instructions on the card for your model. A softer lead such as B gives darker writing; a harder one such as H stays sharp longer on smooth paper.
The PDE-1 is a separate part from the E10 eraser of the Twist-Erase pencils, so check the code before you buy refills. Pentel of America sells the pencils singly and in 2-packs and larger multi-packs, which bring the price per pencil down.
Where is the Pentel Quicker Clicker made?
In Japan: Pentel of America’s 2022 catalog gives Japan as the origin of the Quicker Clicker, and McKesson lists Japan as the country of origin for the 0.5 mm 2-pack. Pentel’s Japanese site doesn’t sell the pencil, so there is no Japanese page to check. Pentel is based in Tokyo.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the button on a Pentel Quicker Clicker?
On the side of the barrel, just behind the grip, where your index finger rests. Pressing it advances the lead without changing your grip.
Can you also click the top of the Quicker Clicker?
The end of the pencil holds the eraser under a cap rather than a top click button. Lead is fed with the side button.
What do PD345, PD347 and PD349 mean?
They are the 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm and 0.9 mm models: the last digit is the lead size. Letters after the number give the barrel color, such as PD345A for black.
What eraser refill fits the Quicker Clicker?
Pentel of America says it takes the large PDE-1 refill eraser. The eraser sits under a cap that keeps it clean.
What lead comes in the Quicker Clicker?
It comes loaded with Pentel Super Hi-Polymer HB lead, which shops label #2 or #2.5. Any lead of the matching size will fit.
Is the Quicker Clicker good for school?
Yes. It is cheap, sold in multi-packs at US office stores, and the side button lets students keep writing without shifting their grip.
Where is the Pentel Quicker Clicker made?
Pentel of America's catalog marks the line as from Japan, and a McKesson listing gives Japan as the country of origin.
Sources
- Pentel of America: Quicker Clicker Mechanical Pencil (with grip) product page (side advance, brass clutch, PDE-1 eraser, UPCs)
- 商品を探す (Pentel Japan product index; no Quicker Clicker listed)
- Pentel of America 2022 product catalog: Quicker Clicker PD345, PD347, PD349 (side button, PDE-1 eraser, origin Japan)
- Staples: Pentel Quicker Clicker 0.5 mm, PD345
- Staples: reviews of the Pentel Quicker Clicker 0.5 mm 2-pack
- McKesson: Pentel PD345BP2-K6 (country of origin Japan)
- OnTimeSupplies: Pentel Quicker Clicker PD345A, black barrel
- OnTimeSupplies: Pentel Quicker Clicker PD345TC (5.70 in long)
- Walmart: Pentel PD345TC Quicker Clicker 0.5 mm (5.70 in)
- OfficeCrave: Pentel PD345BP2K6 (side button, eraser cap, latex-free grip, PDE-1 eraser)
- Aztek: Pentel PD345A (UPC 072512004203)
- The Gentleman Stationer: Essential stationery items, Pentel PD345 Quicker Clicker
- Pentel UK: Pentel celebrates 80 years of success in writing (company renamed ASTRUM Corporation, Pentel kept as brand)