I've spent the last couple of years playing with wooden pencils of all types and have developed a fondness for them that I never had for them when I was in elementary school and they were the default writing instrument. However, for as much fun as I've had experimenting with different pencils, different methods of sharpening, and different point shapes, when it comes down to writing experience, my favorite wooden pencils are not as pleasing to write with as my mechanical pencils. Wooden pencils are more interesting, but less pleasant and more finicky to write with than my mechanical pencils. I've got a small collection of wooden pencils that will likely last my lifetime and I'll continue to find uses for them, but they will no longer be my primary writing instruments as they have been over the course of this 2-year experiment. Don't get me wrong, I like wooden pencils and I've had a blast experimenting with them, but I just get a better writing experience with my mechanical pencils. I did a similar experiment with fountain pens several years ago, but came back to my mechanical pencils then, too. (the pencil experiment was far cheaper than the fountain pen experiment that preceded it...) --flatline
I like the larger wooden pencils with softer leads for drawing and sketching. But for writing they are not as convenient as mechanical pencils.
It seems like we all do that in some ways. I have no idea how many knives I own but I wind up carrying the same 3 or 4. It's all about finding what works best for you. There is no secret 'best' or grail.
Heh, it's funny, I'm the exact opposite; I've experimented with all manner of writing instruments and keep coming back to wooden pencils and fountain pens! Fortunately I never really got into the super high-end fountain pens so my bank account hasn't suffered too awful bad. Pencils are a different story, but price wise they are no comparison.
There is one mechanical pencil I wish I could find though. It is the old scripto spiral twist kind (from the 60's). Probably couldn't get lead for them anymore though even if I could find one. Loved those things!
For me it's all about mechanical pencils. They fit in your pocket, and in my mind are just easier to use. Also I use the Pentel Twist Erase right now, which has a huge eraser, much bigger than that on a normal pencil.
I do the exact same thing. I bought several fountain pens, but only keep one inked up now. Lots of knives, but only 2 get regular use. My ham radio only gets use a couple times a year (to make sure the batteries are still good). I've got dozens of flashlights, but except for the 2 I EDC, the others mostly collect dust. That's just how it goes. You have to experiment to learn... --flatline
I've been using the Faber-Castell Perfect Pencil for the last year or so; it's excellent, and allows me to keep a goid point on the pencil thanks to the built-in sharpener in the friction cap. The good thing about this is that I'm not limited to any particular brand or make of pencil, or thickness of lead/graphite core, as long as it's a standard thickness of pencil that I use; Mechanical? Nope. Think I'll stick with wooden ones, thanks
Came here to suggest the Faber-Castell Perfect Pencil --- carry one in my laptop bag, and am fortunate to have discovered a small stash of Mirado Black Warrior Pencils at work. Still very fond of the Blackwing 602 pencils and am very glad that they're back in production. Have to admit that mostly I just use the mechanical pencil in my Skilcraft B3 Aviator
One thing wooden pencils do better than anything else I've tried is stay securely behind my ear. In the shop, that's a huge advantage since I can have both my hands free without having to find a place to put the pencil down. --flatline
Those were great pencils. There are a lot of sellers around who do carry (when they can) vintage writing instruments. Usually they are selling what they've found from estate sales and such. One of my favorites is Peyton Street Pens. Teri gives great customer service. IIRC, I have occasionally seen a Scripto pencil on her site. Not often. You might also want to visit the forums at Fountain Pen Network. Folks there do use items that are not fountain pens. Or at least some do! As far as the lead is concerned, that is not likely to be a big problem. Mostly will depend on diameter. I've a couple of old MP from the 1920's; no problem getting leads. Happy Hunting! Moshe ben David
After much trial an error trying them all... although nothing competes with high quality wooden pencils, the practicality of a robust mechanical for EDC outweighs. I settled on the Pentel Graphgear 1000 0.7mm with Staedtler HB leads... always in my shirt pocket at work. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk
MojoMarine: I applaud your good taste! This is one of my favorite mp also! And not a bad clicker when I get fidgety L'chaim! Moshe ben David
I've been loving mechanical pencils since I was a kid but the quality back in the 1970's weren't that great. Now I've been enjoying some high end stuff like the Rotring 800 and the Uni Kuru Toga Roulette mechanical pencils. Amazing stuff.
I love the Graphgear pencil! I carry my journal where I do a lot of planning for builds and other things I normally use the graphgear with 2b lead in it and one with 2h lead or I carry a black wing Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I love Blackwing pencils but a wooden pencil is tough to EDC as now you also have to carry a sharpener, etc. I have Blackwings on my desk and also a Uni Kuru Toga mechanical and a Pentel Sharp P200. I'm thinking of trying out the Rotring 600.
I generally use a mechanical pencil because I can get a consistent, thin line. Wood pencils have a sharp edge initially, but then they wear and you get a wide, variable line. Of late, I have been carrying a vintage Kanoe 4-color, mechanical multi-pencil. It has blue, green, and red leads, as well as a standard graphite lead. I can color code plan mark-ups!
Good question. Both of the pencils I got came with leads and one even came with extras. I haven't run out, yet. According to Dave's Mechanical Pencils, the lead size for these pencils is nominally 1.18 mm. On this page, he says: A quick search reveals only the gray graphite leads being available in the 1.18 mm size. An Amazon seller, PencilThings, sells "1.1mm" leads in blue, green, and red for Autopoint pencils. I have no idea if these will work or not.
Looks like I need to visit Office Max or Depot 9r Staples. That Graph Gear looks like just what the doctor ordered!
