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Thread: I think I like pencils better than FPs.

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    Senior Member manoeuver's Avatar
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    Default I think I like pencils better than FPs.

    Simply because, just by looking at a pencil, I can tell:


    • if it'll write
    • how it'll write
    • how much longer I'll be able to use it


    without maintenance.

    after decades of heavy FP use I'm just sick of picking up a pen (because, y'know, I need to write something) and having to get up to fill, prime or clean it.

    and a hundred bucks gets me a lifetime supply of just about any wood-cased pencil I could want. The really nice ones are only a few bucks.

    I dunno. What do you think?

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    Senior Member joolstacho's Avatar
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    Default Re: I think I like pencils better than FPs.

    Horses for courses.

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    Default Re: I think I like pencils better than FPs.

    Quote Originally Posted by manoeuver View Post
    ...What do you think?
    I think you could buy barrels of instant coffee to put an end to filling and maintaining all those fancy machines.

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    Default Re: I think I like pencils better than FPs.

    I think that the only thing that I've used a pencil for is to mark a board before I cut it. I don't like pencils.

    Visit Main Street Pens
    A full service pen shop providing professional, thoughtful pen repair....
    Please contact us by email, and not PM for repair inquiries.

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    Default Re: I think I like pencils better than FPs.

    Utility is for the weak. If you wanted expedience and function, you'd be drinking cheap-ass coffee. I think it's a phase, because anyone who mucks with a soldering iron as much as you do can put up with ink sticks. Maybe just after a break of some period, eh?
    "When Men differ in Opinion, both Sides ought equally to have the Advantage of being heard by the Publick;
    and that when Truth and Error have fair Play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter."

    ~ Benjamin Franklin

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    Default Re: I think I like pencils better than FPs.

    Use the right tool for the right job is my motto when it comes to writing implements.
    Lady Onogaro

    "Be yourself--everybody else is already taken." --Oscar Wilde

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    Default Re: I think I like pencils better than FPs.

    I love pencils too and use them often. But for me, Lady Onogaro's statement hits the nail on the head:

    I would never write a postcard or letter to a friend in pencil. No more than I would mark a board with my fountain pen

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    Default Re: I think I like pencils better than FPs.

    On construction site with client who whisks the 51 out of my hand and begins to illustrate his point on a 2 x 4.
    Gulp. Grab back. No harm done, but it's not going to be a regular occurrence either.

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    Default Re: I think I like pencils better than FPs.

    Quote Originally Posted by manoeuver View Post
    Simply because, just by looking at a pencil, I can tell:


    • if it'll write
    • how it'll write
    • how much longer I'll be able to use it


    without maintenance.

    after decades of heavy FP use I'm just sick of picking up a pen (because, y'know, I need to write something) and having to get up to fill, prime or clean it.

    and a hundred bucks gets me a lifetime supply of just about any wood-cased pencil I could want. The really nice ones are only a few bucks.

    I dunno. What do you think?
    If pencils were good enough for Thoreau and Whitman, then they are "good enough" for me. But I avoid them in my spoiled, cushy life.

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    Default Re: I think I like pencils better than FPs.

    Quote Originally Posted by kazoolaw View Post
    On construction site with client who whisks the 51 out of my hand and begins to illustrate his point on a 2 x 4.
    You should start a story thread with that first sentence....

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    Default Re: I think I like pencils better than FPs.

    Quote Originally Posted by manoeuver View Post
    Simply because, just by looking at a pencil, I can tell:


    • if it'll write
    • how it'll write
    • how much longer I'll be able to use it


    without maintenance.

    after decades of heavy FP use I'm just sick of picking up a pen (because, y'know, I need to write something) and having to get up to fill, prime or clean it.

    and a hundred bucks gets me a lifetime supply of just about any wood-cased pencil I could want. The really nice ones are only a few bucks.

    I dunno. What do you think?
    I'm ALMOST there.

    But then I see some ink I need to mix, or a quirky pen, and it's off to the races once more.
    My other pen is a Montblanc.

    And my other blog is a tumblr!


    And my latest ebook, for spooky wintery reading:

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CM2NGSSD

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    Default Re: I think I like pencils better than FPs.

    It's all so subjective. Another example: why buy pencils when you can hoard free ballpoints from the bank?

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    Senior Member manoeuver's Avatar
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    Default Re: I think I like pencils better than FPs.

    I knew this would be fun. Lots of awesome takes, I truly appreciate every one.

    In this case I'm not eliminating fountain pens (although I am downsizing drastically.)

    I think it's just a shift, when I'm writing casually, to reach for a pencil instead of a pen.

    Writing checks or signing documents will call for a pen, and it'll be one of my many beautiful fountain pens, and maybe I'll do a better job keeping them in writing condition if there aren't so many.







    The coffee comparison is off I think. Rather than switching to instant (bank ballpoints) it's more like switching to tea in the afternoon because too much coffee is interfering with my sleep.

    It didn't bother me as much before but as I lurch into senescence it's no longer desirable to be surrounded by pens, few of which will write if called upon to do so.

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    Default Re: I think I like pencils better than FPs.

    Pencil is a good tool for artists and it is the instrument that help to make the blue print as the first idea. I love pencils and seen lot of top arts done by pencils. I am too attracted to pencils and haven't used them as ink I am using.
    I had to chance to look into many vintage pencils ( as mechanical pencils ) so I believe there had been an era when the pencils had it's place for writing and drawing in the art field.
    Now during the digital era we have something similar to a pencil which replicate many known features of a classic ( LED ) pencil on a digital canvas. I am very impressed by the iPencil or Apple Pencil which I am trying to get to know.

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    Default Re: I think I like pencils better than FPs.

    Pencils are also useful for improving your italic, stub or oblique nib technique.

    Take two sharpened pencils, bind them together with sticky tape, the points should level when the pencils are at 90 degrees to the page.

    Hold the pencils straight and you can produce the effect of a stub, practice O C Q etc, hold the pencils at about 30 degrees for an oblique effect.

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    Senior Member manoeuver's Avatar
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    Default Re: I think I like pencils better than FPs.

    five months later and I'm still enjoying using pencils quite a bit.

    I've sold off a handful of pens; that is slower going than I'd hoped.

    for carrying around, a wood cased pencil just won't do, they lack clips (I got some accommodation clips and don't like them.)

    Instead of a shirt pen, usually a Pilot Prera clipped to the neck of my t-shirt:


    I'll be trying just a pocket pen. I've got several to chooses from in stock, first up is a cheap Chinese slip-cap pen show freebie one of my kids brought home and never used.

    I like the Kaweco sports well enough but the caps tend to screw off in my pocket. I have had decent luck with a Pilot Kakuno in the pocket also.

    Been using my pencils a lot, but mostly at my desks at work and home.

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    Default Re: I think I like pencils better than FPs.

    As much as I’ve enjoyed collecting old Autopoint pencils, the feel of painted wood and cedar fragrance is at least more appealing. I love using the stage KUM sharpening tool.

    My favorite and most affordable brand is Mitsubishi.

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    Senior Member manoeuver's Avatar
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    Default Re: I think I like pencils better than FPs.

    Quote Originally Posted by Chuck Naill View Post
    As much as I’ve enjoyed collecting old Autopoint pencils, the feel of painted wood and cedar fragrance is at least more appealing. I love using the stage KUM sharpening tool.

    My favorite and most affordable brand is Mitsubishi.
    I've tried various mechanical pencils, have some nice vintage ones too.
    I too just prefer the wood pencils, and enjoy using the long point sharpeners.
    A friend of mine gave me a Mitsubishi and it's a favorite.

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    Default Re: I think I like pencils better than FPs.

    Quote Originally Posted by manoeuver View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Chuck Naill View Post
    As much as I’ve enjoyed collecting old Autopoint pencils, the feel of painted wood and cedar fragrance is at least more appealing. I love using the stage KUM sharpening tool.

    My favorite and most affordable brand is Mitsubishi.
    I've tried various mechanical pencils, have some nice vintage ones too.
    I too just prefer the wood pencils, and enjoy using the long point sharpeners.
    A friend of mine gave me a Mitsubishi and it's a favorite.
    Mitsubishi - Do you mean the pure malt ? - if yes, this is once of my favourites too. The other ones are the Lamy 2000 blackWood and the Caran d'Ache china black (Urushi).
    Logic rules

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    Default Re: I think I like pencils better than FPs.

    Does it flex ?
    Logic rules

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