What pencil/pen/kugelschreiber/stylo do you use?

[photonrider]

Got these new 'liquid' pencils.

No lead to break.

 

[SlipZtrEm]

(+ 0.7mm, four-pack)

+

For all my needs. I'll typically use the 0.3mm for writing or typesetting by hand.

 

[Pupik]

I've been a sucker for the Pilot Precise V5 for over 20 years now. They're nearly perfect; they never smear on paper, and I like writing and drawing with them.

I also carry a stainless steel Waterman Hemisphere ball-point pen that I received back in '03...mostly, I use it for signing through multiple copies and attempting sudoku/crossword puzzles inside those in-flight magazines. Or when needing to write on a smooth surface.

I also carry a black Sharpie marker for occasions when a roller-ball or ball-point won't do:

I'll pick up whatever pencil I need for the rare times I actually use them (carpenter's, mechanical, wooden No.2, et cetera).

 

[Exorcet]

Primary writing instrument

Secondary

When all else fails, a mechanical pencil.

 

[sumbrownkid]

Those pack of Bic .7 pencils you can get at Walmart and tons of other places. Usually last me a year actually.

 

[photonrider]

.................................

I also carry a stainless steel Waterman Hemisphere ball-point pen that I received back in '03...mostly, I use it for signing through multiple copies and attempting sudoku/crossword puzzles inside those in-flight magazines. Or when needing to write on a smooth surface.

Watermans are great pens - I can totally understand why you are holding on to that. If it's stainless steel - it's probably still looking good - plus there must be that nice 'heft' to it that makes writing a pleasure.

A tip for those with erasers that need to be erased - use #60 - #80 grit sandpaper to take off the film of graphite and start afresh. A small piece of #220, too, in your pencil case helps to refine blunt leads to a . . . um . . pencil point very quickly.

 

[Alex p.]

2B or not 2B? That is the question...

No one laughed? Well, I just did.

 

[GranTurismo916]

 

[Prosthetic]

Can't remember the last time I used a pencil... I work in retail and only use two things.

 

[Takumi Fujiwara]

My daily driver is a Lamy Safari Rollerball.

I've also been using some Preppy fountain pens lately.

I really like the way they write, so I think I may try upgrading to one of the original fountain Lamy Safaris sometime soon.

 

[Skython]

It confuses me as to how this thread gets attention. Pens aren't very interesting... I'm here mainly because from the main forum it came up as "What..." And that was just funny. But guess what sort of writing instrument I use!!? That's right, a pen, or a pencil, or computer, or whatever is closest to me.

 

[photonrider]

Well, Skython, writing instruments have always been interesting to writers - as well as warriors (since the pen is mightier than the sword.) But we do have a cutting-edge sword/knife/balisong thread, so this thread is merely to pen counter-points.

 

[Antonisbob]

Never use pens, unless it's exams (They make you). As for pencils, whatever they got in school or is in my bag.

 

[Callum B]

Whatever comes in those cheap 60p storebrand packs I don't mind so long as it doesn't spray ink into my eye.

 

[kennylmao]

Generic Faber-Castell HB and 2H pencils, because engineering drawing class.
I remember I used to hate HB pencils when I was a kid because the lines drawn are so light! I loved 2B pencils! 👍

A tip for those with erasers that need to be erased - use #60 - #80 grit sandpaper to take off the film of graphite and start afresh. A small piece of #220, too, in your pencil case helps to refine blunt leads to a . . . um . . pencil point very quickly.

Good tip photonrider! 👍

 

[photonrider]

Thanks, kenny. I learned that trick from my dad, who fancied himself as a bit of a carpenter. In fact first time I saw a carpenter's pencil I couldn't believe my eyes; it's both a ruler and pencil in one.
Glad you found that tip helpful. 👍

 

[photonrider]

Now my forest and camping trip Dioramas are even going to smell real.

 

[MatskiMonk]

Mont Blanc meisterstuck platinum ball-point for work.. actually it was a gift upon promotion.

I don't much like it to be honest, I far prefer to use pens with more parallel barrels, rather than these very tapered affairs.

I've spend a lot of time using Rotring Isographs, the don't look that comfortable to hold, but my finger tips have pretty much evolved to hold them!

 

[photonrider]

For when you want to erase those skidmarks mistakes. With wheels.

 

[Pupik]

Got these new 'liquid' pencils.

No lead to break.

How precise and/or strong are these pencils?
Do they last as long as the average mechanical pencil?
Do they require a special eraser? Or will any type do?

I've seen them for sale for a while, and I've never given them a shot because they seem...well, odd.

 

[photonrider]

I've seen them for sale for a while, and I've never given them a shot because they seem...well, odd.

I think that's the point. I'm not sure if they'll work underwater (or in zero gravity.) It's definitely odd; the kind that makes you stand out in class as . . . odd.
And definitely not for a guy used to flying around the country with a Waterman in their pocket. (Like you.)
I gave up on them as soon as I figured out they were erasable ballpoints.
Maybe for the odd CIA bod.

How precise and/or strong are these pencils?

Control of the ink-flow is not as precise as a sharpened graphite point. If I was to apply the HB scale to it (though there is no real industry standard) I would have to say it's got the softness of a 3-B and yet without the blackness. It feels like a watered-down ballpoint; the ink is almost translucent and 'spreadable. Dries faster than a regular ballpoint.

Do they last as long as the average mechanical pencil?

I haven't used one up completely yet - but I would hazard a guess that it may last longer.

Do they require a special eraser? Or will any type do?

Regular erasers won't work on it; creates a helluva mess. I have erasers that can actually erase ballpoint, and even they didn't work - just shredded the stock. The special eraser provide on the tip works amazingly well though, almost vaporising the marks.

I tried to figure out the thinking here (the marketability - why would they have such a product) and the only reason I can find is that sometimes one needs an instrument that is indelible, yet delible enough with only a special eraser. Bank Tellers?

Their Unique Selling Point (USP), though, is that there are no points to break.

 

[Pupik]

Ah, thanks. Reminds me of the eraseable PaperMate ink pens of the late-1980s...only the eraser included with the barrel actually removed its traces. If it doesn't smear, that's a huge plus in it's favor.

And definitely not for a guy used to flying around the country with a Waterman in their pocket.

Only for the sudoku/crossword puzzles...Pilot pens smear on the glossy pages of the latest airline rag, or any paper in duplicate/triplicate.

Also, a Sharpie Highlighter (thin) for tracing maps.

 

[NissanSkylineN1]

My test-writing pencilcase contains:
Uni-Ball KuruToga 5mm
Pentel P205
Pilot Dr. Grip Shaker
Pilot H-165
Pentel Techniclick 5mm
Pentel Super 0.5mm Lead
Pilot neo-X 5mm Lead
3x Staedtler Mars Plastic Erasers
Staedtler Mars Gum Eraser
Uni 0.5 HB Nano Diamond Blended Lead
Blue Uniball

\

 

[Omnis]

Does anyone have experience with jetpens? I want a cheap pen that takes those pro, amazing refills.

Anyway, I just ordered some Navy ink G-2 pens on ebay. Why isn't navy/blue-black more popular?

 

[Jet Badger]

I use some $1 0.7 mechanical pencil for everything that requires a pencil. Drawing plans? Not a problem

 

[Sprite]

Currently got a Uni-ball Vision Elite on my desk at work, but its running out and has seen better days.

 

[MatskiMonk]

Posted this on Rotrings Facebook wall because I'd like them to make a decent pen case.

0.10mm, 0.18mm, 0.25mm, 0.35mm & 0.5mm Rapidograph pens, 0.35mm & 0.5mm Rotring Tikky mechanical pencils, and 0.3mm, 0.5mm & 0.7mm Rotring Tikky Graphic fineliners.

 

[DG_Silva]

Does anyone have experience with jetpens? I want a cheap pen that takes those pro, amazing refills.

Anyway, I just ordered some Navy ink G-2 pens on ebay. Why isn't navy/blue-black more popular?

Are you talking about the Uni-ball Jetstreams? If so, yes I've got two of them. They do feel nice and comfortable, smooth, but you can't help but feel that you are using a fancy biro; it just doesn't feel the same as a rollerball. I will say however that I feel it is better than a normal ball-point.

 

[NoobMan DS]

Currently, I'm using this:

Bought a pack with ten of these last year, still have six left unused.

 

[Monatsende]

Using this today: niceday LIQUID POINT F


I cannot recommend it because of this:


It was cheap and it is cheap.