(Part 2) Best products from r/pencils

I'm exclusively a 0.5mm lead user.

My preference is a 2B or a 3B for smoothness, and I use Pentel Ain Stein lead. (Got a multi pack from 2B-4B for $12) It tends to write slightly darker than a standard lead, however, it does get used up much faster. This for me is not an issue since the difference at least in my hands is so much smoother.

There are many notebooks to choose from, maybe check out /r/notebooks but be warned your wallet might hate you. I like the Semi B5 size since it is without margins and if you write small it approximates the similar writing area for my personal use since I never used the margins in the 5 star notebook types. The lines in the maruman are very light and easy on the eyes. The paper is very heavyweight and thick. I typically find it hard to see through the pages so you can write on both sides without seeing lines pass through. The covers are a heavy duty plastic material and great for long term use.

I got these notebooks for archival purposes. I use them to write down engineering formulas and notes on designs -- things that I need to constantly reference and have handy. I paid about $8 each notebook with tax and shipping. Highly recommend them!

Here are the particular items I got so you can take a look:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017BDDZ7I - Kuru Toga

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HODH9QI - Leads

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OPQA7SK - Eraser (Don't buy the multi pack the erasers suck, but the holder is awesome. I took a Pentel Hi-Polymer eraser, and cut it up with a razor blade to shove on the sticks this thing comes with. Best eraser you can use! I also have the Pentel clic but it's not as good as the blocks since it's a harder polymer so it smears and doesn't erase perfectly.)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SWVXZ5G - Maruman Notebooks in Semi-B5

Also, shop around. Prices vary greatly for these items. Amazon may not be the cheapest, and sometimes Jetpens can be a huge ripoff so shop around before you buy!

I have these Koh-I-Noor Tri Tone pencils and they're really fun! Each pencil has three colors in the core, so they write multi-colored lines. A set of 12 is $12 or so on Amazon (about $20+ on other sites).

Edit: I'm not an artist... but I love doodling or even just writing with these. So they are definitely fun for non-serious users.

I bought this pencil and he loves it. It really has a great feel in your hand and almost makes me wish I liked pencils so I could get one for myself.

Caran d'Ache are my favorite pencils!

check these out: https://www.amazon.com/Caran-dAche-Pencils-Limited-Scented/dp/B01N3M33FP pricey, but wonderful.


also, quality paper is key....this is a great sketching journal (link is to graphed pages, you may want to find blank pages from the same brand):
https://www.jetpens.com/Maruman-Mnemosyne-N104-Special-Memo-Notebook-B5-Dot-Grid/pd/27111

is the cp1 really metal? i know the lamy st, which is all metal, and also a little less expensive.
i own the lamy st tripen and the lead isn't springy like it is in the scribble.
and about the mechanism, i bet lamy uses Schmidt systems, as almost every german company.

here are few metal (not always solid) mechanical pencils with sleek straight aesthetic i know:

Staedtler Organizer is very thin and designed to be used with notebooks.

Faber Castell Ambition Black resin with metal. Twist lead advance system.

Faber Castell Basic with a rubber grip. there is also a shiny version of it.

Lamy 2000 has a 100% metal version too, but its a very different price caterogy.

Since you mentioned the kaweco sport al (a pocket pen), maybe you could look at the Kaweco Special as well. there is a black anodized version as well. both aluminum.

The rOtring 800 is the one with retractable sleeve? I know one of the rOtrings very famous pens have a fixed very very thin sleeve, that could bend once it falls. It is surely a nice drafting tool, but probably meant to be kept on the desk of an office. A bent tip would be a headache...

former Physics major here: Pentel P205, without a doubt.

5mm lead is perfect for crisp lines given all the calculations you'll be doing. To my hand, the GraphGear1000 is too heavy (also expensive), and I'm not a fan of metal knurling on pencils in general (sorry GG500). It's also imprtant to me that the lead be solid and held fixed with minimal play. I've heard (but not tried) that the Kuru Toga has some play in its lead. It also seems somewhat gimmicy.

The P205 is rock solid, light, and cheap. You cannot go wrong!

I use Pentel Super 0.5 mm lead in 3B.

I highly recommend it; though many people find it breaks easily I haven’t found this to be the case & I apply a lot of pressure when writing. Love how dark it is—just be sure to take tests (scantron) with HB

Up until just a few days ago I'd say Ticonderoga's were a no-brainer, but I've noticed a lot of chunking while sharpening lately. Instead of a smooth shave, there are small chunks falling out of the wood, suddenly exposing the graphite core well below the point. Could be a QC issue with this batch, but still.

I've read great things about the Staedtler wood pencils, and I know for a fact that their erasers are quite good. Their matching sharpeners are well-reviewed too, if you like everything to match (I do... ha)

Don't take it from me though. Check out the Woodclinched blog for all sorts of reviews on wooden pencils. He just reviewed our stuff, but prior to that, all of his posts and reviews relate to wooden pencils. He also runs the 'Erasable Podcast', which is all about writing utensils, mainly pencils.

The most popular option would be the rOtring 800.
Though TWSBI Precision could be a cheaper alternative (I haven't hold one of this, so I can't say how heavy/sturdy it feels)
Maybe you could be interested in a lead holder as well? I personaly love my Staedtler 2.0mm Silver Series if line weight is not an issue at least.

International shipping rates is why.

I mean, I was in New Zealand a few months ago, and I saw General's Pencils sets in a major bookstore chain there. Take one item which is listed at 13.99 NZD, or about 9 bucks USD. The same item in the US is under 5.00 on Amazon, and not much more in a retail location. So I certainly wasn't going to buy any of those there...but, European art supplies were much cheaper there than what I was used to paying in the US. I splurged on Staedtler pencils and French gouache while I was there, lol.

I have used Japanese forwarding services, they do the job well. But...using Tenso's calculator for shipping+handling on the item (finding out the exact weight per box), and the listed price on Amazon JP....technically the Amazon US seller is cheaper (about 8 bucks and free shipping, vs 10-11 depending on exchange fluctuations. Some banks in the US charge foreign transaction fees, too.). Markups at JetPens aren't too much worse (1.05/pencil, so 12.60 for 12 of them). Kinokuniya, a Japanese bookstore may sell these, and I remember a slightly similar pencil (9800) being about 1.00 a pencil.

Try the graph gear 1000. It's made of metal with a retractable tip and feels great on the hand. its $10.06 at Amazon with prime. Probably the best pencil on the market for the price.

I recently bought a box of [Nataraj Bold Super Black] (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/0676598617/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) pencils (10 per box), at $4.99, I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality, price, value... now my daily driver wood case pencil...

I saw your title and was going to comment and recommend Homecube before even reading the body of your post.

I have this Homecube and I think it's a great case for the price.

I use mine for fountain pens, too. I like the elastic to keep my nicer writing utensils in, and the zipper and Velcro pockets are really convenient for extra lead and erasers and ink refills.

I love using my utility knife to sharpen my pencils. Inexpensive, easy to carry and you can buy a pack of 50 for 10 bucks.I just got this bad boy and it's working out pretty great.

Not super portable, but this is the best pencil sharpener I’ve used and it’s pretty inexpensive.

wow I didn't see that it takes flat lead!

Here is one source for flat lead refills, but probably not the right size: https://www.johnnealbooks.com/prod_detail_list/s?keyword=flat+lead

see also: https://www.amazon.com/Striker-Replacement-Mechanical-Carpenter-Pencil/dp/B000JYJBTI

They still make the Pentel P205... you can find it right here

Sir, you aren't answering my question.. I meant the Pentel P205. Well is it this?