Hb Woodcase Pencils Review

[alarickc]

Hello everyone! I thought I would share this review of of several different HB grade(Plus one 4B) pencils I picked up from JetPens and my college bookstore this week. I figure the severel posts on wooden pencils up in First Thoughts this week shows there is some interest in this. I hope you all get some use from this.

 

First, the lineup. This includes every pencil being reviewed here today plus some others in 2B and 4B grades I picked up at the same time.

http://i1283.photobucket.com/albums/a549/alarickc1/Pencil%20Review/DSC_1453_zps998a9633.jpg

 

First we'll take a look at the cheaper options. All of these are either lower-end art pencil or school pencils. The best of the bunch is the Staedtler Rally. For thirty-cents at the college bookstore this pencil is smooth with only a little grit. It erases fairly well and has low smearing. In fact, it's only major flaw is it's relatively light line.

 

As for the rest of them I would go with the Dixon Ticonderoga #2(HB). It's only slightly rougher than the the Rally. Actually, it's performance mirrors the Rally in every category, it's simply slightly worse. This is made up for by higher availability and cost half as much.

 

The rest are all poor performers in my opinion, especially considering cost. The General Pencil Co. Kinmberly is an alright performer; it's rougher than the previous two and has more grit than either all while costing twice as much as the Rally. The only thing in it's favor is that it's US made if you care about that sort of thing. The Kor-I-Noor pencil was about the same as the Kimberly, but drew a lighter line at the same time. The Prismacolor Turquoise was abominable. It was rough, gritty, brittle, hard to sharpen, and even cost a dollar for one pencil. Considering the abysmal quality it was a real spit in the eye.

http://i1283.photobucket.com/albums/a549/alarickc1/Pencil%20Review/DSC_1472_zps93c0911b.jpg

The first of the nicer, and pricer, pencils is the Staedtler Mars Lumograph 100 HB

http://i1283.photobucket.com/albums/a549/alarickc1/Pencil%20Review/DSC_1454_zps363c0cfc.jpg

 

The Mars Lumograph is wonderful pencil, especially considering it's relatively low price for what it is. This pencil can be had for around a dollar. The lead is relatively light and hard, though this does mean good point retention. Sharpenability is good, but nothing to right home about. The lead is smooth and defect free and writes without any odd feeling or behavior. If I was unable to have the harder to find Japanese pencils I would be very happy with this one. For the cost conscious though I would say that the Rally gets you 90% of the performance for writing.

 

Next up is a legend among animators and on heck of a pencil. The Tombow Mono 100 in HB.

http://i1283.photobucket.com/albums/a549/alarickc1/Pencil%20Review/DSC_1458_zps5fa045cf.jpg

The Mono 100 is a revelation. It does everything the Mars does better while at the same time being significantly darker and softer. It's a wonderful pencil in every way. The lacquer is thick, glossy, and perfect. The wood casing is thick, easily sharpened, and smells deeply of cedar. In fact I think this pencil and the two Mitsubishi ones may even be made of western red cedar instead of incense cedar, the color and scent are so strong. The lead is incredibly smooth, but it doesn't feel buttery or waxy; instead it feels like a polished point riding on dry graphite powder. This Pencil comes with my highest recommendation, but at a cost. The pencil is $2.35 each at JetPens or $28 a dozen. You can knock that down to around $23 a dozen with shipping at Amazon. This pencil is easily tied for favorite HB pencil with the Mitsubishi Hi-Uni. Both are worth having in my mind as they feel different on the page.

 

Speaking of. The Mitsubishi Hi-Uni in HB.

http://i1283.photobucket.com/albums/a549/alarickc1/Pencil%20Review/DSC_1460_zps90d98ddc.jpg

This is the other one of my favorites. Everything I said about the Mono 100 applies here as well, including cost. The price is identical. The difference here are slight. The wood in my example is a bit redder and more fragrant still. The lead is equally smooth, but it feels different. The Hi-Uni has a waxier feeling, it's almost like it's slightly smoother, but not, because it's grippyer. It has the slightest hint of tackiness, not enough to be unpleasant, just enough to make it easier to control your line. I love it. In addition the lead seems to be of a different color temp than the Mono 100, I just can't decide which is warmer or cooler yet. I recommend getting both.

 

Finally, a bonus. Here is a photo of the Mitsubishi Uni Penmanship in 4B.

http://i1283.photobucket.com/albums/a549/alarickc1/Pencil%20Review/DSC_1463_zps4399df5e.jpg

This is another fantastic pencil. The lead is smooth beyond belief and soft as butter. I love it. The only problem is point retention. It also melts like butter in use. I'll probably reserve this for use at home for journaling or letter writing where it's not as much of an issue if I have to frequently sharpen. Also, not a bad buy at $5 for three at JetPens. One last note on it is that it has a particularly thick lead core. You can see that here against the Hi-Uni HB.

http://i1283.photobucket.com/albums/a549/alarickc1/Pencil%20Review/DSC_1470_zps33155cf9.jpg

 

That was mostly an excuse to give pencils a chance to be shot in hard lighting, heavy bokeh, and fake HDR. Why should food and cliche landscapes get all the fun?

 

Lastly, here are writing samples for all off the pencils seen here. I hope you found this review helpful!

http://i1283.photobucket.com/albums/a549/alarickc1/Pencil%20Review/DSC_1482_zps94a4c54b.jpg

 

http://i1283.photobucket.com/albums/a549/alarickc1/Pencil%20Review/DSC_1483_zps740af779.jpg

 

(All pencils were sharpened with a KUM Blackwing Long-Point Sharpener. Erasers used for the tests were a Staedtler Mars Plastic and a Kokuyo Campus 2B)

[alarickc]

Note to Mods: I put this FP Reviews due to there being a few other pencil reviews kept here.

[77kath]

OK, I'm off to the art supply store.

[setriode]

I generally agree with your conclusions but among the lower priced pencils would include the Mitsubishi 9850 which has an eraser on the end and is excellent, giving a clean dark line with good point retention.

 

Please also compare prices with a Japanese supplier: http://www.pencils.jp who also stocks the Craft Design Technology pencil which some consider the finest HB in the world.

Edited July 25, 2014 by setriode

[JordanLH]

Wow, thanks for the awesome review. I recently did a very similar comparison myself, and decided on the Faber Castell 9000 HB. It holds the point the best for me (though not nearly as dark). I do love the Hi-Uni though.

[perth]

Nice! What did you ink it up with? Can you get a stub nib with it as well, or does it come in F, M and B only?

 

I never knew pencils could be such a big field. I've got to get some of these and see if my drawings become any nicer.

[alarickc]

I generally agree with your conclusions but among the lower priced pencils would include the Mitsubishi 9850 which has an eraser on the end and is excellent, giving a clean dark line with good point retention.

 

Please also compare prices with a Japanese supplier: http://www.pencils.jp who also stocks the Craft Design Technology pencil which some consider the finest HB in the world.

I do actually want to pick up the 9850, plus the Uni, Uni-Star, Tombow 5800( I think that's it's name, the yellow one.), the CDT, the Romeo #3, and so many others. I'll hopefully get them over the next few months.

 

Right now I'm thinking that I'll use the Hi-Uni 2B for math notes and HW, the Mono 100 and Hi-Uni in HB for tests and sundry, and all of them in 4B for journaling and other home use where a fine point isn't absouloutly necessary.

[Ricardo1962]

Excellent review!

[setriode]

alarickc, yes do try them out. The Tombow Mono 100 in 2B is very good indeed.

 

The other exceptional pencil I like a Faber Castell 9000 in 4B, it too has a thick lead and a good balance between dark lines, smoothness and a reasonably durable point. This is the FC 9000 4B version made in Germany and not the East Asian version which is inferior in every respect and cheaper in price.

 

My experience of the Hi Uni 2B is that it is perhaps too smooth and soft for general writing. However, many others would disagree with my opinion. The Penmanship 4B is glorious: sheer sensual pleasure.

 

I don't know the Tombow 5800. The Tombow 8900 is a very cheap but not good quality pencil: difficult to sharpen smoothly, inferior wood or composite material, and very hard on the fingers with its sharp edges and hard paint finish. I haven't tried the Tombow 2558 yellow pencil. If you get one please let us know what you think.

 

I have tried both Mitsubishi and Tombow mark sheet pencils in HB. I prefer the Tombow but it doesn't look as good as the Mitsubishi. But then hey, why get those when the CDT is begging to be bought, stashed, hoarded and used.

 

By the way, the sharpener I would recommend is the Carl Custom 2000, a desk top model with a crank handle and 5 adjustments for point sharpness i.e. 2 more than a F, M and B.

Edited July 25, 2014 by setriode

[alarickc]

Hmmm, hopefully the CDT will still be in stock when I go to order it in two weeks. Too bad Pentel discontinued their pencils.

 

I'm rather enjoying the Hi-Uni in 2B, but the Mono 100 has it's charms. I'm starting with the Hi-Uni's, but I'm planning on building a stash of both in 2B, 4B, and HB. I'll also have to try an F out. I'm hoping to get a couple gross of each.

[calhoun tubbs]

The Tombow 2558 HB and the Mitsubishi 9850 HB are both excellent pencils. I bought a couple on JetPens a couple of months ago and was surprise at how smooth they are. One thing to consider is that both of these pencil write darker than a typical HB pencil I would say they are both along the lines of European B or American #1 pencil. If you haven't tried them out, I highly recommend them.

[Keyless Works]

Excellent review!

 

Hi-Unis are my favorites (HB-2B). I used to have to buy them from Japan but in the last 6-7 years they have become more readily available in the USA. I recently discovered the Palomino Blackwing Pearl and I'm really enjoying the retro styling and smooth lead.

[setriode]

The Tombow 2558 HB and the Mitsubishi 9850 HB are both excellent pencils. I bought a couple on JetPens a couple of months ago and was surprise at how smooth they are. One thing to consider is that both of these pencil write darker than a typical HB pencil I would say they are both along the lines of European B or American #1 pencil. If you haven't tried them out, I highly recommend them.

 

Yes, I have a few boxes of the 9850 and it is darker than a standard HB which I like. The CDT is similarly much darker than an HB and is almost a 2B or even a Faber Castell 9000 4B in tone. The Tombow 2558 in 3 grades, H, HB, &B. I intend to give the B a spin.

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

If you can manage, maybe you can look at the Golden Bear pencils which I am quite fond of. There are also the lower cost Tombow pencils that you can find at some stationers in Asia. I tried a few made from recycled wood or some such, and they were quite nice and smooth, like the Golden Bears that I'm fond of. I almost bought a few boxes, then I realised I didn't bring enough money to get that and the other stuff I wanted more.

 

Dillon

[alarickc]

I'll actually have the Golden Bears in a week or so. I just ordered the Palamino sampler pack from pencils.com.

[Zookie]

It can be difficult finding the "Right" pencil. I like the Staedtler Wopex, but my everyday pencil for taking notes is Dixon's Typhonite Eldorado 4H. They have a nice cedar smell when sharpened, hold their point for a long time, and are just right for my purpose.

I have a large stash of vintage pencils that will probably last a lot longer than I will

[a_m]

Very nice review and analysis of pencils.

 

I no longer use the wooden pencil, and prefer to use mechanical pencil.

 

I have found that the leads of mechanical pencils that use polymer leads do not smear, besides they do not leave the smudge after erasing.

[setriode]

Having reviewed the Mark sheet pencils I have changed my mind. The Mitsubishi is superior with a lovely smooth performance on paper, dark lead and magnificent scent in the deep red cedar. The paint finish is also better than Tombow's MS.

[ink-syringe]

Big pencil user at work and live in Pencil heaven (Asia) Tombow 100s are ubiquitous here and are excellent as are the Hi-Unis which come in a nice plastic case. I love them. Use either, whatever the store has but slight preference for the Hi-Unis.

 

But a surprise for me is another Japanese-made pencil: The Palomino graded Graphite pencils. They are the orange ones. They are fantastic. I like the Blackwing reissues and use the 602 in class (eraser) but at my table the Palominos Orange are getting the most action. Still love the Mitsubishi and the Tombow though, I have some Anniversary Tombows in a metal tin that I got on blow-out in old finish and those are nice too but I prefer a B in the Japanese pencils (they run softer than German pencils) and these came in either HB or 4B and 4B was all they had left and are a tad soft for me.

Edited March 14, 2015 by ink-syringe

[mmg122]

Excellent review!

 

Hi-Unis are my favorites (HB-2B). I used to have to buy them from Japan but in the last 6-7 years they have become more readily available in the USA. I recently discovered the Palomino Blackwing Pearl and I'm really enjoying the retro styling and smooth lead.

 

I'm a huge fan of the Blackwing Pearl...an awesome pencil!