Okay, so I used an Expedition for a while doing some research in the sticks of Nicaragua and I tried a number writing implements (all with limited success, they all smudged a bit). If you use a pencil, I think it is best to use lead that is quite hard, since that won't smudge as much. Those also happen to be good for EDC, since they tend to have better point retention. A Staedtler Wopex is a good option, if you don't mind the weird, rubbery feel. But basically any pencil will work (including mechanical pencils) as long as the lead is fairly hard. Like /u/lightinthedark suggested, you can use a bullet point to make it more carry-able. I also use pencil caps, which are great as long as they're metal.

If you do want to use a pen, I had good luck with a ballpoint. Any basic ballpoint works pretty darn good; I used the FN one for a while (which is a Bic Clic). If you go for anything fancy it'll probably smudge, although I also used a space pen for a hot minute. Those don't hold up to being lost in warehouses though.

WORK

PowerTank Retractable Pen All-Angle All-Weather Wet Surface… Standard quick draw go-to pen for the last 5 years

Pilot Varsity Disposable Fountain Pen Recently got into fountain pens so I use this when I can to sign stuff or have time to take decent notes

Silver Sharpie for writing on dark surfaces

Pocket Level for leveling anything from pictures to 80” monitors and in between

Retractable Sharpie for permanent marking/writing everywhere else not covered by the previous items

Telescoping Magnetic Retriever

My First Pencil for temporary marking… large size for durability and novelty

House Keys, Personal Truck Keys (98 F150), Work Truck/Van Key (what is this thing), Building Keys

Fitbit Charge HR

Large Rubber Band because you just never know when you might need one… and I pop myself if I get a craving for something I don’t need lol

A little Cash, Our Energy Management Policy (our VP will randomly ask to see it and if you have it on you, you may get to be off the rest of the day, get a meal or gas gift cert, movie tix, etc.)

Vicks Inhaler, Every Man Jack chapstick

1/8” Allen Wrench

ThorFire throwaway LED Flashlight for quick peeks, or if the larger one’s battery dies

BP Rewards Card (Filling the work truck a couple times a week gets me a few cents off my own gas… shhhhh), Work Visa, License, Insurance, Carmike Rewards Card because you never know when you may wanna catch a flick.

Nitecore MH1C Rechargeable LED Flashlight… found this baby up in the ceiling and fell in love (once I read the manual and figured out how to work it.)

Zippo Spectrum Lighter… Don’t smoke but I love fire and Zippo’s even more. I have 16 right now but this is my throw around EDC.

Gerber Superknife

TAC Force Throw away assisted opening knife

RFID Access Badge

Medical ID Bracelet… recently diagnosed with Diabeetus and put on Xarelto after a huge blood clot (PE)

3x5 Index Card Daily Work Order Checklist, needed supplies, random notes/measurements/numbers

/r/KaizenBrotherhood 30 Day Challenge Checklist

Leatherman Rebar MultiTool… work buys these (bless them) and I usually break them enough to need one every 1-2 years. Had one model or another since my 18th birthday (36 now) and just found out they will actually repair them for free so I will have to round up some older ones and send them off. Once they are retired they wind up in a glove box, random tool bag/box, in the recliner, on my desk etc, anywhere I might need one and I am not in my work clothes.

NOT PICTURED

Folding Wood Rule

Motorola XPR-6300 Radio

iPhone 6 in Lifeproof Fre Case with Nite Ize Steelie Magnet on the back and $20 inside... used to take picture

*added phone

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.

Milo, Phin, Otto, or Roscoe? :) Super cute puppy!

item under 6.

Name that damn puppy already!

Thanks for the contest!

I've had this since high school. Super durable, the eraser works well, and it feels great.

Erasers: Pentel and Staedtler make white cap erasers that work pretty well when the included eraser runs out/using pencils that don't come with them attached.

Dull lead: Long point sharpeners help, but if you want writing pencils that hold their points for longer, avoid Japanese made HBs (including the Palomino Blackwing which uses Japanese graphite). European made HBs/#2s tend to be the hardest "HBs" out there. My absolute favorite pencils are the Staedtler Noris and Tradition for this reason, I have a heavy writing hand, and so enjoy a pencil where I can literally get through an entire 90 page notebook on only one pencil. Faber-Castell GRIP aren't bad either, they just tend to be a little pricey.

Or, buy a harder grade, Ticonderogas come in #3 and #4 grades, I've used Mitsubishi 9800s in F and found them comparable to Noris in HB, and most drawing pencils will come in a wide variety of ranges. (General's Kimberly pencils are cheap enough in the US where I wouldn't care using them for writing...)

Oh god they are the fucking greatest. http://www.amazon.com/Ticonderoga-Millennium-Cedar-Pencils-DIX13913/dp/B000J09RGY
The black ones were my favorite.

Only about 50% of number 2s are deplorable. I find the Ticonderoga Tri-Writes to have the best handling. It's fantastic triangular shape gives it a natural anti-slip grip.

What I think you have there is the Seagull #2. Its rounded corners and cheap paint leave something to be desired. Total dog shit.

You'd be surprised. I'm a full time college student with depression. I'm still managing to pull off art on the side.

Initial costs are a box of pencils, erasers and a notebook.

Canson Artist Series Universal Sketch Pad, 9"X12" Side Wire https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004IXJ7CM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_mtWJzbS3BS01W

Palomino 2B Pencils Orange Set Of 12 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007P50UTE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_KuWJzb7MTP1WQ

Staedtler Mars Plastic Erasers,Pack of 4 (52650BK4) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006IFAN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ZvWJzb48BV8JQ

There's more affordable options but these are my favorites so far.

It's probably best to stop by a superstore and pick up whatever they have on the cheap.

Edit: Tacklebox has been drawing for four years. Think about it. You can do this. You can get the skills you want if you practice.

I got a fire ant bite on my finger this weekend, and I didn't think anything of it until I woke up at 2am because I was losing sensation in the finger. I got bit on my ring finger, and my ring was cutting off circulation as my finger swelled up to sausage-levels. I took some benadryl and iced it for a while, but there was no moving the ring. If it went numb or turned purple, the ring would have to come off one way or another.

I took a hacksaw to bed.

My hand swelled up like a water balloon, but I never had to cut my ring off (JOY!). RIP my grip strength, though, my ability to grip small objects is currently holding steady at really big pencil (there's a penis joke in here somewhere, I just can't find it).

Folks, marriage is dangerous. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Here's a big pencil (44") on Amazon.

In case anyone was curious, lmao.

A pencil case like this.

Switch goes in the front pocket wrapped in some foam padding to protect it, and 6 joycons, 6 joycon wrist straps, and a stand go in the back. Haven't found a better case to fit all that in such a small form factor.

You would have better luck looking online. Here you can get 200 WV-themed pencils for about $100 depending on exactly how many you want.

Better = https://smile.amazon.com/Ticonderoga-DIX13472-Pencil-Yellow-Count/dp/B00SG1PS20/ref=sr_1_11?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1525641216&sr=1-11&keywords=golf+pencils

)

£0.70 pencils would be awesome, and would stop me drawing in pen.

M Rules - definitely does.

For one thing, everyone should have a drinking bird.

This is cute.

A 4D Gummy Bear?!

Could be used as a weapon in case of emergency.

This is a thing?

These are just adorable.

Each of these could be... the next best thing in desk decoration couture!

The Mirado Black Warrior is the single greatest pencil ever made. http://www.amazon.com/Paper-Mate-Mirado-Warrior-Pencils/dp/B00006IEES

Are these the right ones? :)

How about these babies?

• 2
  

• Lead is thick as heck
  
• Eraser is huge

A sharp soft-leaded, high quality pencil. I prefer the Palamino 2B.

http://www.amazon.com/Palomino-Graphite-Pencils-Orange-Count/dp/B007P50UTE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415908156&sr=8-1&keywords=palomino+2b

yes indeed they do

http://www.amazon.com/Really-Big-Pencils-15-Colors/dp/B00886G390/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462361116&sr=8-1&keywords=really+big+pencil

For next time

You could also get him the oversized children's pencils. http://www.amazon.com/Ticonderoga-Primary-Beginner-Pencils-33312/dp/B000QE2H6A

You've obviously never used a Mirado Black Warrior.

Mirado Black Warriors.

Codename Duchess

3.10

1.97

4.90

4.49

4.59

1.99

3.99

$25.03 if I mathed correctly

Two words - black warrior.

http://www.amazon.com/Paper-Mate-Mirado-Warrior-Pencils/dp/B00006IEES



Killer pencils, cheap and easy to find.

Check these out http://www.amazon.com/Ticonderoga-Primary-Beginner-Pencils-33312/dp/B000QE2H6A/ref=sr_1_1?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1419382585&sr=1-1&keywords=my+first+dixon+ticonderoga

They are sturdy and nobody else has them so its easy to spot who steals your pencils

Edit: Sorry I dont know how to insert a fancy link