Staedtler Mars Technico 780 C: 2 mm Lead Holder
The Staedtler Mars Technico 780 C is a 2 mm lead holder, or clutch pencil: press the button and the jaws release a full-length lead. Staedtler Japan lists it at 150 mm (5.9 in) and 13 g, with a metal clip and grip, an HB lead and a small sharpener hidden in the push-button. It's made in Germany.
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Product facts
- Product
- Staedtler Mars Technico 780 C Lead Holder, 2 mm (blue)
- Brand
- Staedtler
- Brand origin
- Germany
- Made in
- Germany*
- Material
- ABS barrel (STAEDTLER Japan); metal clip, push-button and grip zone (Staedtler)
- Price range
- $$$5–20 per pencil (multi-packs divided by the count)
- Rate it
Notes on these facts
- Made by Staedtler Mars GmbH & Co. KG (Nuremberg). Made in Germany: Staedtler's German product page carries a Made in Germany mark, and STAEDTLER Japan's lead-holder page lists the 780 C as ドイツ製 (made in Germany). Source. Price: example listing.
- Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026. Conversions to US dollars are approximate, at October 2026 rates (US$1 = ¥158 = ₩1,330 = NT$32.5 = CN¥6.7 = SEK 9.9 = DKK 6.7 = ₺49.6 = C$1.41 = A$1.43 = CZK 21.7; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).
Key takeaways
- Staedtler Japan lists the 780 C at 10 × 150 × 8 mm (5.9 in long) and 13 g, with an ABS barrel.
- It takes 2 mm leads such as Staedtler's Mars carbon 200, which come 130 mm long, 12 to a tube.
- A lead sharpener sits inside the push-button cap, and the clip shows the lead grade.
- On Amazon US the single 780 C had 4,613 ratings, averaging 4.7 stars, on October 23, 2026.
- Staedtler's German and Japanese pages both say it's made in Germany.
What is the Staedtler Mars Technico 780 C?
It’s Staedtler’s 2 mm lead holder, a mechanical pencil that grips a full-length lead in metal jaws. Staedtler’s German page describes it for drawing, sketching and writing, with a metal clip, push-button and grip, and a lead sharpener built into the push-button.
It’s widely reviewed on Amazon US: the single 780 C had 4,613 ratings on October 23, 2026, and a two-pack another 2,655. On Reddit’s r/mechanicalpencils it turns up in many collection posts, often as the one lead holder in the set.
Mars Technico 780 C specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Maker | Staedtler, Germany |
| Model | 780 C; EAN 4007817737866 |
| Lead | 2 mm, HB included |
| Size | 10 × 150 × 8 mm; 150 mm (5.9 in) long (STAEDTLER Japan) |
| Weight | 13 g (STAEDTLER Japan) |
| Barrel | ABS (STAEDTLER Japan); blue |
| Metal parts | Clip, push-button, grip zone (Staedtler) |
| Sharpener | Built into the push-button |
| Grade indicator | In the clip |
| Japan list price | ¥1,540 (about US$9.70) incl. tax |
STAEDTLER Japan sells a lighter 788 C with a plastic grip: also 150 mm, but 10 g and ¥880 (about US$5.60).
How does a lead holder work?
Press the button and the jaws open, so the lead drops forward as far as you let it; release, and they clamp again. Unlike a 0.5 mm pencil, nothing advances a fixed step per click.
You set how much lead sticks out, then point it on the built-in sharpener or a lead pointer. A 2 mm lead is four times as thick as a 0.5 mm lead, so it stands up to heavier pressure and broad shading. Our drawing pencils roundup compares wood pencils for the same job.
Which leads does it take?
Any 2 mm lead; Staedtler’s own are the Mars carbon 200, 130 mm long and 12 to a tube. Staedtler names the 780 C on the Mars carbon 200 page and offers seven hardness degrees.
Parkablogs adds that any brand of 2 mm lead works, including colored leads. Change the grade marker in the clip when you switch leads.
How do you sharpen it?
Pull off the push-button cap and twist the lead in the small sharpener inside. Staedtler lists it as an integrated lead sharpener in the push-button.
For a long, needle point, STAEDTLER Japan sells the Mars mini technico 502 lead pointer for 2 mm holders including the 780 C, at ¥1,980 (about US$13). KUM’s AS2M version of the KUM long point sharpener adds holes for 2.0 mm and 3.15 mm leads.
How does it compare with a drafting pencil?
The lead holder gives you a thick, strong lead you point yourself; a drafting pencil gives a fixed line width.
| Mars Technico 780 C | Staedtler 925 25 | |
|---|---|---|
| Lead | 2 mm | 0.3 to 2.0 mm |
| Length | 150 mm | 143 mm |
| Weight | 13 g | 17 g |
| Sharpening | Needed (built-in) | Not for 0.3–0.9 mm |
| Price band | $$ | $$ |
The 925 25 figures are from its guide. For everyday writing, a 0.5 mm pencil such as the Pentel Orenz is easier.
Where is the Mars Technico made?
In Germany. Staedtler’s German product page carries a Made in Germany mark, and STAEDTLER Japan lists the 780 C as made in Germany.
How much does it cost?
It’s in our $$ band, $5–20 per pencil, in the US listings we checked in October 2026, such as Amazon US. STAEDTLER Japan lists it at ¥1,540 (about US$9.70) including tax.
Frequently asked questions
What is a lead holder?
A mechanical pencil for thick leads, usually 2 mm, that grips the lead in metal jaws. Pressing the button opens the jaws so the lead slides out, instead of advancing a few millimeters per click.
How do you sharpen the Mars Technico?
Pull off the push-button cap and use the sharpener inside it, or a separate lead pointer such as Staedtler's Mars mini technico 502. STAEDTLER Japan lists the 502 for 2 mm holders including the 780 C.
Can you use colored leads in the 780 C?
Yes, any 2 mm lead fits. Parkablogs, which reviewed it, says you can use any brand of 2 mm lead, including colored leads.
What is the difference between the 780 C and the 788 C?
The 788 C has a plastic grip and weighs 10 g, against the 780 C's metal grip and 13 g, per STAEDTLER Japan. Both are 150 mm long and take 2 mm leads.
Which lead grade comes in the Mars Technico?
HB, according to Staedtler. The clip has a small grade indicator so you can mark a softer or harder lead when you change it.
Is the Staedtler Mars Technico made in the USA?
No, in Germany. Staedtler's German product page and STAEDTLER Japan both say so.
Sources
- Mars® technico 780 Fallminenstift, Staedtler Germany (2 mm, metal clip, push-button and grip zone, sharpener in the push-button, HB, grade indicator in the clip, 780 C PR5, Made in Germany; read October 23, 2026)
- Mars® technico 780 Leadholder, Staedtler International (English page; article 780 C, EAN 4007817737866 in the page data)
- 芯ホルダー・芯研器, STAEDTLER Japan (780 C: ¥1,540, ABS barrel, HB, 10 × 150 × 8 mm, 13 g, made in Germany; 788 C; Mars mini technico 502)
- Mars® carbon 200 drawing lead, Staedtler US (2 mm, for the Mars 780 C, 130 mm long, 12 per tube, 7 degrees, made in Germany)
- Amazon US: Staedtler Mars Technico Lead Holder (780 C) (4,613 ratings, 4.7 stars, GTIN 4007817737866, October 23, 2026)
- Amazon US: STAEDTLER Mars Technico 2 mm lead holder, 2-pack (2,655 ratings, 4.8 stars, #94 in Mechanical Pencils, October 23, 2026)
- Parkablogs: Review, Staedtler Mars Technico 780 lead holder
- Reddit r/mechanicalpencils and r/pens: collection and recommendation posts naming the Mars Technico 780 (top-of-year and search RSS, read October 23, 2026)