Favorite Pencils?

[Timeline]

I am quickly becoming fascinated with mechanical pencils, unfortunately I only have a Cross and Pierrre Cardin both from the 70's. I could never figure out why the lead falls out of the open end. My question to all who have posted is, how does lead hold up on paper over time vs. ink?

[JakobS]

I predominately use wood case pencils, the only mechanical pencil I like is the Pental 120 A3dx series in all grades, and I enjoy using the CdA Fixpencil 884 as a clutch pencil but use these rarely compared to my wooden pencils.

 

My favorite wooden pencils which I use exclusively for writing, probably mentioned here a dozen times in one post or another, are:

 

CdA Yellow School Pencil: a great smooth pencil that you can knock round to give a little character to, with a great eraser.

 

Viking Element 1 and 2: smooth lead with a matte painted case that feels perfect in the hand, the 2 has a ferruled eraser on top.

 

CdA Swiss Wood, exceptionally smooth to a point of pure uniqueness to any other graphite cored pencil, and a long wearing point.

 

General's Cedar Pointe 2HB: uncoated cedar pencil, smooth, light for effortless writing, great eraser.

 

Apsara Absolute: thick, dark graphite provides a durable point for long wear, unbreakable lead with a great smoothness to it.

 

Camel Pencil HB: provides everything one needs in a pencil without the fuss of declaring so, simple yet useable, smooth lead, great eraser, comfortable hexagonal grip.

 

There are a lot of decent wooden pencils still being made, General's which certainly has grown more into art pencils has a few winners not only in the Cedar Pointe above, but also the Goddess, and Supreme. Apsara, an indian company, makes exceptional pencils for the price, the indestructible Absolute mentioned above, but also their Steno and Beauty pencils. Shahsons Autocrat pencil, out of Pakistan, is really decent. You of course have the Tombow Mono 100 and the Koh-i-noor Hardtmuth 1500 (they also make my favorite erasers!) which are super smooth. It's quite difficult to limit the list, so the six above will have to do for now....

Edited September 21, 2018 by JakobS

[Zookie]

I have more pencils than I'll ever use in my lifetime, both mechanical and wood cased. I've always searched out what I consider the best (for me at least). As far as wood cased pencils go, I've settled on the Staedtler Norica. Mechanical pencils are another story altogether.

I use them for note taking, and their looks, no matter the price. My latest is an Ambassador, it's a real beauty !

To say that any mp is garbage is wrong in my opinion. I love my pentel twist erase, it feels like bakelite, fits my hand nicely, and writes a nice dark line. If you don't like the lead, change it.

 

Anyone who doesn't like their pencils can send them my way, I'll give them a good home

 

 

 

 

Edited September 21, 2018 by Zookie

[MYU]

I am quickly becoming fascinated with mechanical pencils, unfortunately I only have a Cross and Pierrre Cardin both from the 70's. I could never figure out why the lead falls out of the open end. My question to all who have posted is, how does lead hold up on paper over time vs. ink?

Lead isn't as permanent as ballpoint, but it can last as long if protected. I came across pencil writings from my days in junior high school... decades ago... no fading away. The only thing fragile about pencil writings is that it can rub off on other paper, smudging it and also adhering to the paper above it. That's only if the paper isn't fixed and can rub... This is why a paper sketching done in pencil needs to have a page of onion skin (tracing) paper in between to protect it.

[LYTH]

A few years ago I started contracting a bug that incited me to collect unusual, uncommon, and vintage mechanical pencils. I can't admit my collection size, because I"m embarrassed to say (although I am gradually selling off some). A very finely made mechanical pencil can have a wonderful feeling about it. The click mechanism reminds you it's a precision instrument--it has to be to manage lead so small in diameter. You can get them very cheaply (e.g. Pentel P205 is the quintessential bargain) or pay handsomely for super exclusive companion pieces to fountain pens. But you can also find bespoke examples for decent prices (e.g. Spoke Pencils).

 

Here's a couple of group shots showing some of my favorites:

Waow ! Can you name each one please ?

[MYU]

Waow ! Can you name each one please ?

Yes, though some won't be helpful (Pilot wasn't very forthcoming with model numbers for some pencils).

1st Photo, from left: #1 Unknown Pilot all steel double-push retractable, #2 Unknown Pilot all steel twist-and-push retractable, #3 Pilot MR Murex style steel black dot grid, #4 Pilot H-2005, #5 Pilot H-2103, Pilot steel black stripe with forward clutch.

2nd Photo, from left: #1 & #2 repeat from 1st photo, #3 Pentel PSD5 retractable, Pentel Mechanica 0.3mm, Tombow Exta Deluxe wood, Pelikan 550 tortoise.

[Studio97]

Not my favorite woodcased pencil but I had to mention finding a box of 12 new old stock (dated 1999) Mirado Black Warrior No.2 cedar pencils. Of the Black Warrior pencil variety I think this was the best one. This is not the Papermate variety. It was an odd find for fifty cents.

[JotterAddict62]

Parker's Pre 1980 any model

[Aquaria]

The original Blackwing was my Favorite Pencil, ever, and the Palomino copycat doesn't quite get the writing feel of it. The lead seems a little too soft in comparison, and doesn't seem to hold a point as well as the old Blackwing. I used to call the Blackwing the Ferrari of pencils because I could write really--really--fast with it. Something about that lead let me fly across the page, and I don't get much of that same feel as I did with the Blackwing anywhere else. I wish I could afford any of the remaining stock out there, but such is not to be for someone like me.

 

My current favorite that I use nearly everyday is the Uni Kura Toga Alpha Gel mechanical pencil. It's the "fat" KT pencil, with a squishy grip. When you're writing with a pencil as much as I do, you need the thicker barrel and that squishy grip, to stave off hand fatigue. I have written with it for 16 hours in a day, and my arms and eyes got more tired from the work done with it than my hand did.

 

Second favorite: Pentel Kerry, .7mm. A much more comfortable writing experience than expected. Looks classy and professional, too, at least the blue and black versions do. It's the pencil you take to work with you to show you mean business.

 

Favorite Art Pencil: Caran d'Ache Blackwood HB. Looks like a kid pencil. Writes and draws like a dream.

 

I also like the Tombow Mono pencils for graphite drawing. Haven't tried the Unis yet.

Edited October 22, 2018 by Aquaria

[inkstainedruth]

My favorite? Berol Turquoise leadholder (Staedtler-Mars one in second place). I learned about them in college, in a class on graphic delineation (which included doing isometric projections). Took me about a decade to go through an entire package of leads, which come in different hardnesses (my preference is 2H, but I've picked up a pack of 3H in a thrift store specializing in arts and crafts supplies) -- and even different colors (although I don't have any). I can get them sharper than a regular pencil (and more easily, without all the wastage), and have more control than with a regular mechanical pencil.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[a m a r g o]

A few years ago I started contracting a bug that incited me to collect unusual, uncommon, and vintage mechanical pencils. I can't admit my collection size, because I"m embarrassed to say (although I am gradually selling off some). A very finely made mechanical pencil can have a wonderful feeling about it. The click mechanism reminds you it's a precision instrument--it has to be to manage lead so small in diameter. You can get them very cheaply (e.g. Pentel P205 is the quintessential bargain) or pay handsomely for super exclusive companion pieces to fountain pens. But you can also find bespoke examples for decent prices (e.g. Spoke Pencils).

 

Here's a couple of group shots showing some of my favorites:

Amazing collection!!!

[MYU]

Amazing collection!!!

Thank you! It took a few years of gradual accumulation to create it. Learned a lot along the way. Unfortunately it's getting harder to find the uncommon quality vintage mechanical pencils these days because of a new wave of buyers coming in from China who have deep pockets with a passion for collecting to match!

[ardene]

My favourite's my only pencil: Rotring's Tikky III.

[miwishi63]

I purchased a Retro 51 mechanical pencil yesterday (the Periodic Table of Elements version). It’s quite nice. I also have a Levenger Truewriter mechanical pencil.

 

During a Jet Pens giveaway (spend so much, get...)of mechanical pencils, I was late in ordering and only one of the four were available for the free pencil. It was the Uni Kuru Toga which rotates the lead as you write, keeping a sharp point.

 

I’m thinking about getting an Autopoint mechanical pencil because they are made in the USA.

 

I got a set of pencils in matching tin with sharpener because they were celestial themed, with half of them showing how solar and lunar eclipses happen. I have a set of Blackwing, plus some mint colored Craft Design Technology pencils. They don’t get as much use as fountain pens, but they are crossword puzzle ready.

 

I just purchased an Autopoint 0.9mm that I am enjoying (not because I needed it, by the way). I use it mostly for sketching and am quickly coming to appreciate its somewhat bulky size - at least compared to some of the other mechanical pencils I use.

[MYU]

This one is becoming a favorite:

 

I actually have a few extras that I obtained in the search for getting a spare. If you're interested, click HERE.

[lorelei]

I just got the Lamy Safari .5mm to carry with my daily planner. It holds very smooth and writes well. I haven't gone too far into pencils yet but this one is a keeper for me.

[WarrenB]

Crikey. What's your favourite sweets from the sweet shop? How long's a piece of string? With that, I admit that the particular type and brand of pencil doesn't matter to me as much as if I can scrawl a line with it, or how faint or smudgy I want to doodle at any given time; though there are a few with some sentimental attachment.

 

Wooden pencils... when I was young I always had a bunch of the ol' red and black Staedtler Traditions with me (the Dennis the Menace pencils) before I started buying pencils like a proper addict.

These days, of different names I've tried, Bruynzeel Sakura stands out as a pleasant surprise with good, dark lead. Faber-Castell, in contrast, can be faint and scratchy when compared to the same lead grades from other brands, but are great if you adjust B-wards, accordingly.

Patriotism (jingoism?) and history compel me to mention Derwent; though while their Graphic range is fine and I'm fond of the chunky Sketch line, it's their oil-based Drawing pencils that really float my boat. I also have a handful of old Berol Venus pencils, the green-marble type that Alwyn Crawshaw used to wow me with on his old TV show, but while I believe more in utility than decoration*, and they are good to use, they've been all but relegated to museum pieces.

 

But to be honest, recently, every time I have to whittle away at a wood-cased pencil to reveal a bit more (intact) lead, it seems like more of a faff. I got in on Cult Pens' book + sampler offer, and while it's given me more toys to play with, I've most enjoyed the Koh-I-Noor Progresso graphite stick from the set, partly because there's no bits of tree to get in the way. Similarly, I've long enjoyed mechanical pencils...

 

Nothing ever too grand. Extremely cheap and disposable plastic mechanical pencils when I was knee-high, of the BIC/Papermate type. (if they even got that fancy) The only survivor of those days is a Pilot Supergrip 0.5. Again, cheaper plastic, looks it's age, and the clip is long gone; but it's still very comfortable to hold, to write and draw with.

It's joined by a couple of the type of pencil I've most often reached for: the Pentel 120 mechanical pencil. 0.7 and 0.9mm, both with 2B leads. Same story with the Pilot - cheap, but I love them. Even going up a step to the Pentel P200 feels a bit like a step backwards, so to speak. Perhaps I'd feel differently if I went up several steps, but for the moment the worst complaint I've had about the 120 is that the lead sleeve isn't retractable, for throwing in a pocket with a little sketchbook. Trying out the Derwent Precision and Staedtler Mars micro for that, but it still doesn't feel the same.

 

The better pocket-pencil trial was with lead holders. I started off with a Faber-Castell TK4600, and it took a while to get used to that, but it's one of my go-to's now - to the point that I use the little F-B 2mm sharpener as my car key fob. Started trying and enjoying others like the TK9400 3.15mm, the Koh-I-Noor Toison D'Or, and Uni MH-500, but the TK4600 is still the first and best, for me.

 

* Though that doesn't stop me goggling at the collections shown here. Those are impressive spreads.

Edited November 20, 2018 by WarrenB

[R-Camlin]

The rOtring 600 is the only mechanical pencil in existence as far as I'm concerned. Thing is the perfect technical writing machine.

[sidthecat]

Back in the Pleistocene, when you did animation on paper, we were pencil obsessives. My weapons were Colorase pencils (Blue, sometimes Carmine ) which I’d sort through to find the least waxy - their quality wasn’t very consistent; and the Tombow, in 2B to 6B. When it was announced in the Nineties that Tombow was going to stop selling its pencils in America, we became hoarders. Twenty years later I still have dozens of boxes. We loved the consistency and fineness of the leads, which made the process just a bit easier.

I could still argue that what I do with an expensive tablet computer and stylus is only an approximation of what I once could do with a greasy stick.

[mana]

Pelikan 450 (pref. Tortoise)

Caran dAche Fixpencil 3 (3mm lead)

rOtring 600 0.9mm in black