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Ever since I was a child reading my mom's old books and encountering her penciled-in corrections on the pages, I've had an obsession with grammatical correctness and fixing others' mistakes. So when I encountered Pencil Things and found it absolutely wonderful and entertaining, I felt I had to offer my services as editor and, perhaps, occasional contributor.
I began my blogging "career" at CandyAddict.com and have continued it at Snackerrific.com; I'm now editor at both sites. Needless to say, in addition to an undying love of lead-based writing implements (pens involve a level of commitment way too indelible for me), I also love my junk food.
I got my bachelor's degree in historic preservation from a small college in Virginia almost five years ago, and in the proud tradition of most college graduates, have failed to do a single thing with it. I now live and work in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York. I'm greatly looking forward to working with Andy and Don, and hope that my contributions to the site will make it even more enjoyable than it already is - if that's possible!
I just happened upon a really great blog, called Strikethru, which, according to their "About" blub, is:This blog heartily approves of typewriters, old office forms, Polaroid
film, collages, junk cameras, fountain pens, handwritten letters,
rubber stamps, slide film, Moleskine (and other) notebooks, thrift
stores, and fellow paper-based romantics who like the sound of a
typewriter bell at the end of a sentence.This pretty much sums up everything I mean when I use the word "Scribomechanica" (just check out some of my old posts -- you'll find it there). Typewriters, pens, paper, fountain pens, etc. Old non-electronic methods of written communication.
In fact, it seems that they are successfully accomplishing what I was trying to do with a failed blog project, Scribomechania.com, where I was going to magically find all the time in the world to re-post the pencil reviews you see here, and write other ones about non-pencil-related products, plus keep on top of related news.
But they encapsulate what I wasn't able to do. They post all sorts of awesome things. Check this image out:
(Click the image for a larger, higher-res image)
Though I'm not an Elmo man, they are really capturing the whole collage method, which I've been afraid to do. You can't add hyperlinks to a blog post written on a typewriter (in a beautiful cursive font -- bravo on the Hermes! I have an awesome portable Adler cursive typewriter that looks a lot like that), and you can't search for keywords in Technorati. But yet they somehow make it work. They call it "papercasting."
I do have to disagree with the Myndology ringed notebooks rave, though. Because of my rampant and obscene left-handedness, the rings totally get in the way. And when they're at the top or the bottom like that, they can fall into a disarray that my slightly OCD sensibilities cannot stand.
Excitingly enough, Pencil Things is on their blogroll! I feel honored that we're there, friends at Strikethru. And hey, if you need any guest posts written, I'm your man. I'm gearing up for a doozy about typewriters here on this blog.
Anyway, bravo, Strikethru friends! It's good to know that there are others like me but more, well, accomplished at blogging about their love. And as soon as I can figure out how to modify my blogroll, you're totally going on it.
Click here to visit Strikethru.
—Andy Welfle
I'm faced with that same problem, Jan. I bought a dozen of those beauts on eBay a while ago for (relatively) cheap, hoping to sell them individually to make a profit. I paid about $16 per pencil, and since I've seen some go for as much as $40, I figured a profit margin of over 200% would be pretty good. Trouble is, it's a hard sell. There are lots of people out there who are interested in buying, but it is kind of a niche market. For every interested party, there are multi-hundreds who say, "$40 for a PENCIL?! That's ridiculous!" Me, I would first try eBay, Jan. There is a small posting fee, but it is inconsequential. Start the bidding low, like $10. Hopefully, that will attract people initially. If that doesn't work, try the Pencil Pages classifieds. I am told it is checked regularly, and since only a pencilhead would go there, you know you're getting the right market. Good luck! And hey, if anyone reading this blog wants to buy a Blackwing, let me know, and I'll be happy to put you in contact with Jan. Good luck! Ask
Hello! It's been a while since I've posted here -- a lack of new products to review, and a lack of time has kept me from engaging all you loyal PT.info readers.
But enough about that. I want to share with you a couple of pencil blogs out there that I have discovered within the last few days.
The Reciprocal Crap Exchange isn't a pencil blog, per se, but one of the bloggers who goes by the name Murderface is pencil-crazy like the rest of us. A quick warning, though, there is some not-so-PG-rated language, so proceed at your own risk. Here's the link. Check out the post about the California Republic Prospectors. It's quite good, and extremely funny, too. Murderface seems quite taken with the Shield, which isn't my favorite of the pencil point protectors. But everyone has their favorites. I myself like this one the best, but I can see where others may dislike it.
From the Crap Exchange, I found an amazing dedicated pencil blog, which makes me shake my head in wonderment that I've never run across it before! It's Pencil Talk (dot) org, and it is really awesome. I've started to work my way through the archives, and I bow to the editor. I don't know what resources (s)he has at his/her disposal, but the content is great. Here's the link.
Hey, while I have your attention, this is a call for entries! I would love to keep this blog updated regularly, but I need your help! Email me if you run across any interesting or particular good (or bad) pencil things! I'd love to post what you have to say, or start a dialog with our readers about it! Are you looking for a pencil and don't know where to start? Again, let me know!
—Andy Welfle
Hello friends! It's been a while. I hope that I can get back to the grindstone and bring you some pencil reviews soon.
Meanwhile, here's a new blog I stumbled upon -- The Pen Addict, who writes reviews longhand using the pen (s)he is reviewing. For example:
The Pilot Precise Grip Extra Fine writes just like every other Pilot
Precise pen I have tried, but I think this is the most comfortable
barrel design. It is a bit longer and larger in diameter than the
Precise V5 (as well as the V5 retractable), and has the bonus of a
comfortable rubber grip. Performance wise, I had not used this pen in a
while so it took a bit to get flowing as you can see in the image.
Aside from that, this is a good choice for any liquid ink needle tip
fans.
Hello, this is Don, proprietor of PencilThings.com. The many comments suggesting that PencilThings.com set up some sampler packs of writing pencils are quite interesting. We have been changing our Web listings with the goal in mind of encouraging purchases of single pencils to try before buying standard packs of twelve. That idea suits some needs, but it is not particularly helpful to those who want the assistance and ease a sampler pack provides. Overall, I discern the greatest interest in trying a selection of similar writing pencils from different manufacturers. Next in interest seems to be trying a variety of pencils suitable for particular purposes and/or tastes (blue book essays, journals, test scoring, triangular, hexagonal, round, natural wood finish, etc.). Samplers by Price: Generally I think it would be helpful and relatively easy to organize sampler categories according to price, for example: (1) $0.25 - $0.50 range; (2) $0.75 - $1.25 range; and (3) $1.50 and up. Price is determined partly by the quality of the materials used, so it is a useful organizing principle. Samplers by Lead Degree: The Samplers by Price can be further organized in degrees -- for example, 2B (soft), HB (medium soft) and H (hard). There are many, many pencil combinations one can think of. In the end, however, a six-pack, or eight-pack, or whatever, of pencils has to be selected, and this is where your suggestions are critical. We will do it, with your help! The pencils you suggest need not be those we currently sell at PencilThings.com. If it is a good pencil for sampler purposes, we will attempt to obtain a sufficient quantity for the sampler packs even if we do not stock it. So, together let us use our combined experiences to set up some samplers for ourselves and to introduce others to the delight we take in our pencils! Jacqueline from Los Angeles, CA, writes:
Jacqueline, Thanks for your question! Ah, you gotta love those crazy standardized tests that have so many different requirements. Technically, there is absolutely no difference in the lead of a #2 woodclinched pencil and that of #2 mechanical, but I understand that you want to stay within the letter of the law, so to speak. Although the mechanical is more comfortable for you, it's not worth risking this big test over a small matter like that. But wow — 200 pencils! That's a huge test. Are you passing these out to others? You're right, you'll need a good pencil. I could just tell you that it makes more economic sense to go to Office Depot and get some plain ol' yellow pencils, but in reality, those Office Depot brand pencils are not comfortable to hold, hard to erase, and aren't smooth. Although your wallet will thank you (they're about $3.99 for 72 of them), your hand will not.
My only concern is the price. It is a high-end pencil, so it is expensive. If you were going to buy less than a dozen, it would cost you about $1.19 per pencil. I talked to Don, our glorious PencilThings.com leader, and he says if you want to buy a quantity as large as 200, he can get you a significant discount.
Mostly, the benefit over a Palomino is the price. It is $.41 instead of $1.19, and if you order a gross (144) or more, the price goes down almost by half.
Anyone else have any recommendations? Post them in the comments, and Jacqueline — let me know what you decide, and good luck with your test! —Andy, er, Mr. Pencil
Pencil Things is now a blidget!
What is that? Well... if you love what you read here, and want to be sure to know when it is updated through your Google homepage, MySpace, Facebook, or various other web services.
See that button at the bottom of the sidebar to the left? Click on it, and it will take you too the widget's page. You can post a PencilThings feed to your page on any of these sites:
MySpace
Facebook
Blogger
TypePad
Wordpress
LiveJournal
Tagged
Multiply
Freewebs
Blogger posts
iGoogle
Netvibes
Pageflakes
Hi5
Piczo
Orkut
an HTML embed code
If you use any of these services, it's really easy to install. Click on the button for a preview and to install.
And comment here if you do it -- I'd love to see it!
-Andy Welfle
Despite the myriad pencils I try out, there are few that I use every day for writing at work, home, and so on. Some of them are too specialized, and some of them (like the Blackwing) are too expensive to risk losing. So I keep those in my awesome Frank Sinatra cigar box full of pencils, and just keep a choice few around to use. Here's a quick list of my reliable ol' standbys:
• On my desk California Republic Palominos with eraser (Product Page)
Actually, everyone in my office uses these because I bought them all a box for Christmas.
They are smooth, dark, and feel great in your hand with their heavily-lacquered barrel. And the bright colors of the orange and blue make them easy to spot on a cluttered desk.
These are where I keep around to update my to-do list, write in my calendar, and take my various and assorted notes at work.
• In my pocket: A Zebra #2 mechanical pencil
GASP -- I know, I am a traitor! Here I am, using this blog as a mouthpiece to profess my love of woodcased pencils, how the writing process is so pure, so sensual, blah blah bah. And then I go and tell you that a (shudder) mechanical pencil is one of favorite writing instruments.
Well, this little guy is a lot different than your standard mechanical. First of all, look at it! It looks like a woodcased pencil. Sort of. You press on the eraser to advance the lead.
Second, the size is perfect. Unlike a standard 7" long pencil, this comes in at just under 5 inches, making it perfect to slip into your pocket. You can put it in your shirt pocket without it peeking out the top, you can put it in your pants pocket without it poking you in the thigh, and ladies, you can put it in your purse without it blocking everything from naturally shifting as you move. And it won't poke holes in the lining.
Yes, sometimes for the sake of convenience, we have to make sacrifices and compromises. In order to be mobile, I will use a mechanical pencil so I can retract the graphite tip. This is the perfect pencil for the job.
I'm afraid Pencil Things doesn't carry it, but you can buy a dozen of them at Office Depot for less than five dollars.
• For my meetings and tasks: A Moleskine Planner + Notebook
As you probably already know, I am somewhat obsessed with office supplies. I spend way more time reading and writing about them than is normal. Going hand-in-hand with that obsession is an obsession for personal organization and time management. Because of that, I love 43 Folders. It's a site dedicated to the GTD (Get It Done) mentality and tricks people use to stay organized. In December, I posted a plea on the forums to find what I consider to be the perfect weekly planner. I won't repost the whole thing here, but here's a snippet:For most of my adult life (well, high school and beyond), I have been on the search for the perfect
weekly planner. For a while, I was convinced that I found it in the
mid-sized Gallery Leather weekly planner, but as I switched jobs, and
realized that I need to keep an active to-do list for myself, I've
realized that it doesn't do for me what I want it to.
See, I've tried and tried and TRIED to computerize my planner and
to-do list. I have a Mac at home and at work, and I love them! I even
love Apple's software (especially the Leopard OS X upgrade) iCal and
the Mail app. But I have found that as I start out updating it
diligently, I just fall out of the habit of using it if it is on the
computer. I also love the Google Calendar interface, but I run into the
same thing. I just need paper.
Here's where I need your help -- below is a list of requirements. Do
you use a planner fitting these criteria? Are you looking for the same
thing I am?
LinkAnd then I go on and on with my — dare I say it? — anal retentive requirements.
It was a hit, apparently, with 60 comments written back to me, most of them telling me that I pretty much described the Moleskine Planner + Notebook, a weekly planner on the left page and a blank lined page on the right to put my to-dos. So I went out and bought one, and they were right — it is perfect. Well, almost. Unlike most Moleskine notebooks, the cover isn't rigid. It is nice and soft, but fairly pliable, so I pretty much have to write with it on a hard surface.
I do use it everyday, since in my job I am often bombarded with meetings. I keep my to-do list on the blank page, along with shopping lists and what-have-you. It's a great tool.
I got it at Barnes and Noble for about $20, which would be considered to be a lot in some people's perspectives, but I totally think it was worth it. You can probably find it online if you do a Google search for "Moleskine Planner + Notebook".
I hope that you were able to take away some inspiration for some valuable scribomechanical tools in my array of ever-burgeoning supply of office products.
Tell me, what are some pencil things you use every day? Use the comments to share!
—Andy Welfle
Hello, friends! Sorry it's been so long. It seems like we've all been out of commission for a while. I've been meaning to share with you a new innovation in the world of quality paper. I ran across this from various websites and sources, and although Pencil Things isn't selling them, I thought this would be the perfect forum to share them. As connoisseur of fine pens and pencils, I'm sure you are already well-versed in the finer points of what makes paper good. Thickness of each sheet, the smoothness which allows you writing instrument to glide across its surface smoothly, the whiteness, etc. I also look at the innovation of the design, size, and layout of the lines (if it is lined paper). We all are familiar with Rhodia notepads (see my review here), Moleskine, Clairefontaine, etc. Some of you even may have read the awesome Black Cover blog, a search for the perfect little black notebook, and are itching to get your hands on a Stifflexible notebook (I know, it sounds dirty, but read the saga here, here and here.) Meanwhile, I've been on the lookout for the perfect pocket notebook. Of course, there is the Rhodia cahier pocket notebook that Don sent out with the most recent Pencil of the Month club, but before I got that, I discovered Field Notes. Created by Coudal Partners, makers of a wide variety of cool and random products and online services, and the Draplin Design Company, these small notebooks are inspired by "the vanishing subgenre of agricultural memo books, ornate pocket ledgers and the simple, unassuming beauty of a well-crafted grocery list." Well said, Field Notes guys. I love it because it is simple, attractive, and really durable. I've made a habit of keeping it in the back left pocket of my pants, and I pull it out to jot down lists, memos, phone numbers, emails, and anything other little information bytes I know I won't remember but will need to later recall. You can buy a 3-pack off their site for $9.95. But wait, I say in a voice sounding like Billy Mays and his annoying Oxi-clean commercials, that's not all! To be true to this blog, primarily about pencils, I have to mention the extremely good-looking and good-feelin' pencil that's included with it. An unvarnished round cedar wood casing holds a nice dark stick of graphite. And the lime-green rubber eraser works like a champ. I sorta wish the barrel was hexagonal instead of round, but eh, it is an extremely clean-looking instrument the way it is. It also includes a somewhat blah-looking Bic-clicky pen with the logo on it. Personally, I think they should gussy it up to look like the old-school Skilcraft pens the US Government buys by the millions. Now, these are retro-rific. Check this out for more info about that (or just steal it from your local post office. But you didn't hear that from me).
So this notebook is really durable. I mean, really. Durable. It has to be, since I sit on it every day at work when it is in my back pocket in my trousers. And, well, as absent-minded as I am, I ran it through the wash. Here's what happened: Yeah, it was destroyed, but it didn't break apart and disintegrate like other paper does. Those generic old Mead notebooks used to disintegrate right in my bag after a semester, without being sent through the spin cycle! I was still able to (carefully) pick out my notes and transcribe them to a new notebook. Finally, I have to talk about the graph paper. I know I already talked about the benefits of graphs instead of lines in the Rhodia review (see link above), but it is worth mentioning again. Not only can you more easily sketch illustrations or graphs with it, and properly plot out proportions, but you can write portrait or landscape. This is handy because, well, it is a smallish notepad, and sometimes you need to turn it sideways to get a proper grip on it. Check out Field Notes (fieldnotesbrand.com) for more information. |
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