What Pencil Are You Using Today?

[indigobadger]

I only use pencils for drawing, and I've settled on using only Tombow homo-graph, and for classic figure drawing stuff on newsprint I love Conte, which are a sort of clay/charcoal mixture. Really fun pencils that put down smooth, beautiful gradients.

[A-xy]

I’ve been using a variety of wooden cased pencils, but today, after a long hiatus, I am using a Rotring 600 with 2b lead. I love this thing

[flatline]

I pulled out my Zebra Color Flight 0.3mm mechanical pencil. It's probably my favorite non-knurled 0.3mm pencil. I've been tempted to get a 0.5mm version of it, but I suspect that Zebra quit making them because they're kind  of expensive on Ebay and Amazon.

 

I bought my 0.3 for $5 10+ years ago. The 0.5 is listed for $38 on Amazon right now. I'm not doing that.

 

--flatline

[PJNZ]

On 12/15/2020 at 11:26 AM, Tas said:

I bought one last week . . .
Oh my! Smaller than I'd thought but way nicer than I thought too.

It has that un-put-downable quality about it. Pure joy.

Glad you were re-united with yours.

I agree the Kerry is a lovely little pencil 

[Misfit]

I got a vintage Autopoint mechanical pencil known as a rocket style today in the mail I bought on eBay. I really like it. It had 8 or 9 pieces of lead in it, and the eraser works. 
 

I wish I knew more about its history. That’s what buying vintage writing instruments does to you. It has Sharon Steel on it, which was located on the western side of Pennsylvania. 

[Estycollector]

32 minutes ago, Misfit said:

I got a vintage Autopoint mechanical pencil known as a rocket style today in the mail I bought on eBay. I really like it. It had 8 or 9 pieces of lead in it, and the eraser works. 
 

I wish I knew more about its history. That’s what buying vintage writing instruments does to you. It has Sharon Steel on it, which was located on the western side of Pennsylvania. 

Congratulations on getting an Autopoint Rocket. This is what I found about Sharon Steel. History (nlmk.com)

[Misfit]

Thank you for the link on the history of Sharon Steel. Very similar to a website I read. 
 

Part of my meaning on vintage pens is the human owner. The person or people who used the pencil.  They are the mystery.  Glad the other part of it is known. 

[RJS]

This is the pencil I took notes with today. I very much like the Technograph 777. Originally just for art, back when they lacquered them nicely and didn't print the barcode, but now also for notes.

 

The lead is extremely nice, and I remain very fond of them even despite the lousy cheap paintwork and gold lettering that rubs off after a few minutes. I had to find a new one or the writing on it wouldn't be legible.

[ISW_Kaputnik]

For drawing, this Conté set, graphite pencils, not their pastels or crayons.  Twelve pencils, but 10 grades of lead; I've been using mostly the H, HB, and 2B.

 

Not pictured, but I've also been using my 0.7 mm Pentel Kerry.

 

[flaneur]

 

Conway Stewart Nippy with 1.15 mm lead, in marbled burgundy and black. Small but a great little pencil.

[ParramattaPaul]

I used  0.7mm Faber Castell Grip and a 0.7mm Derwent Precision.

[ParramattaPaul]

On 12/15/2020 at 5:53 AM, flatline said:

Alvin "Pro-Matic" MC5 2mm lead holder with lead I extracted from a USA Gold pencil.

 

I'm starting to see 2mm mechanical and clutch pencils in more stores. I hope the format is becoming more popular. It's been my favorite for years.

 

--flatline

Alvin lead holder?  That brings back memories from the middle 1960s.  I can't remember the last time I saw an Alvin.  

 

You might want to stock up on Alvin pencils since they are no longer in business, but their products are still available.

[BigBlot]

6 hours ago, ParramattaPaul said:

Alvin lead holder?  That brings back memories from the middle 1960s.  I can't remember the last time I saw an Alvin.  

 

You might want to stock up on Alvin pencils since they are no longer in business, but their products are still available.

Coincidentally, I used an Alvin Tech-Matic yesterday, with red lead, to note a revision. Today maybe I'll use my Pilot H1005. Nice 0.5 mm mechanical pencil, with a retractable point.

[flatline]

8 hours ago, ParramattaPaul said:

Alvin lead holder?  That brings back memories from the middle 1960s.  I can't remember the last time I saw an Alvin.  

 

You might want to stock up on Alvin pencils since they are no longer in business, but their products are still available.

 

I had the same thought before Christmas when I found out Alvin had gone out of business. So when my wife told me to order something for my Christmas gift, I ordered 5 more lead holders...

 

--flatline

[N1003U]

Today I am using a Pelikan D300 (green stripe), which I am finding surprisingly functional. I wouldn’t want to write all day with it, but it is not bad as a quick jotter, or perhaps an extraordinarily expensive golf pencil.

[NumberSix]

Taking some work notes today with a Blackwing 602.

[ParramattaPaul]

Scheduling for May was done today with the Derwent Precision.  I really like the way an 0.7 mm HB lead writes.

[Tas]

My new Caran d’Ache Fixpencil 2mm. It’s everything I’d hoped it would be. 
 

Sadly doesn’t work in my Staedtler rotary sharpener though 😔

[Starguard]

I am using my Karas Pen Co. mechanical pencil, just got it today. I am a huge fan, reasonable weight, just the right girth. It has a nice grip section and you can get it with either 0.5 or 0.7 lead. It came with an eraser. 

 

[N1003U]

6 hours ago, Starguard said:

I am using my Karas Pen Co. mechanical pencil, just got it today. I am a huge fan, reasonable weight, just the right girth. It has a nice grip section and you can get it with either 0.5 or 0.7 lead. It came with an eraser. 

 

Oooh...and I even like the color.