Best woodcase lead pencils according to redditors
We found 191 Reddit comments discussing the best woodcase lead pencils. We ranked the 94 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 191 Reddit comments discussing the best woodcase lead pencils. We ranked the 94 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
You've obviously never used a Mirado Black Warrior.
In case if you were wondering, it's a Mitsubishi Hi-Uni in HB.
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.
The Mirado Black Warrior is the single greatest pencil ever made. http://www.amazon.com/Paper-Mate-Mirado-Warrior-Pencils/dp/B00006IEES
Can we talk about the Dixon Ticonderoga for a minute?
It is, by far, the best pencil on the market. And let me tell you why: because the little nub of rubber on top of it actually erases things. I'm sure that other pencils had this feature too, long ago, but at some point in history, pencilmakers everywhere decided that instead of a useful eraser, what consumers really wanted on top of their pencil was a shitty little piece of plastic that left a pinkish, streaky mess all over the paper.
But not Dixon. The Ticonderoga still can actually erase. And for that, I salute you, Dixon.
EDIT: Thanks for the gold. But for less than the price of reddit gold, you could have bought a fresh, new pack of Ticonderogas and almost had enough money left over for another fresh, new pack of Ticonderogas.
EDIT 2: Lots of people trashing the Ticonderoga and trying to push the Palamaladingdong Black Wing 602. These cost $1.90 per pencil. And that is ridiculous. The good people at Dixon aren't going to rip you off like that. And you know what? They make a black Ticonderoga that is equally sexy, IF NOT SEXIER, than the Black Wing 602. AND a black Ticonderoga will only run you about 21 cents per pencil, which is a much better deal.
EDIT 3: Some people are trying to push mechanical pencils. Sure, people can use those. Mechanical pencils are all well and good. But here is why the Dixon Ticonderoga is better than any mechanical pencil.
#1. The Ticonderoga has its graphite embedded inside of it. This guarantees that the graphite will never slip up inside of the pencil body if you press down too hard, which tends to happen frequently with low-end mechanical pencils. It may happen less frequently with high-grade ones, but it will never happen with a Ticonderoga.
#2. You must sharpen the Ticonderoga. Some people may think that this is a weakness, but I assure you that it is a strength. After writing a few pages, you'll see that your once-sharp tip is now a dull nub. It's a fine indication of all of the work you've done thus far. That dull nub tells you that you've accomplished something. And once you've sharpened it and started writing again? Boy oh boy, there is no finer feeling that using a freshly-sharpened pencil.
#3. Sharpening the Ticonderoga releases a delectable wood scent into the air. The wood used in Dixon brand Ticonderogas is of a high quality, and is pleasant to smell. This cannot be achieved while using a mechanical pencil without also purchasing some sort of artificial wood scent spray.
#4. The Ticonderoga is made of wood. This means that the pencil is always pleasant to the touch. It has a solid, natural feel to it, which you can't get with low-grade mechanical pencils, which are made of plastic. High-end mech pencils tend to be metal. When I wake up first thing in the morning, and grab one of my several Ticonderogas to start the day's crossword puzzle, do you know what I don't feel? The biting cold of a metallic pencil body against my fingers. What a way to ruin a perfectly good morning.
EDIT 4: If anyone from the good people at Dixon are reading this: I would love some free pencils.
EDIT 5: The good folks at Dixon just contacted me and are going to send me a box of sweet, sweet Ticonderogas. Either that, or I just gave my home address to a random redditor. In either case, I'll let you guys know when they get here.
EDIT 6: They came in!
Just for the record, I don't work for Dixon, nor did anyone from their company ask me to make any of these posts. I'm just a simple man who loves good-quality, affordable pencils.
Don't buy your books at the campus store, order them online, Amazon is a good place to do this. Also don't buy your books until at least the first class meeting, sometimes professors will tell you that some of the books listed for the class are optional. Sharing a book with somebody is an option for some people, just be sure you both will have access to it when you need it.
As others have said, fans. Box fans are nice and cheap, but depending on your room's layout, one that stands on its own might work better. If you have a window with the hinge on the bottom that pulls towards you, try putting a box fan on top of the opened window and lean it back against the unopened window.
If you're a guy, please do not stock up on axe to "pick up the ladies", it is obnoxiously terrible, and a lot of people find it immature.
Good writing utensils that you will be comfortable using for long periods of time. My favorite are these. Also, a durable, spacious and, comfortable backpack is important, preferably with something on the sides to hold bottles, be sure to keep a bottle to hold water at all times, not buying a drink when you go somewhere to get food that isn't a cafeteria can save you a good bit of money.
A flash drive is very useful, as is your own personal printer, you will probably need to print something at 2 A.M. at some point.
Decent speakers that can get relatively loud are nice to have, if only to drown out distracting noises around you while having some kind of sound. People also like to listen to music sometimes.
A first-aid kit for obvious reasons. Also keep something for headaches around, as well as cough and cold medicine.
Food that you really like can help pick you up and relax.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Just some general advice, take part in any freshmen activities meant to help you meet people and make friends, having friends can help you emotionally and also with your work. If your dorm has a lobby, consider doing your homework there, you might meet somebody new. Don't miss classes, once you start, it can be hard to stop, and if you keep asking people what you missed and if there was any homework, they might get annoyed. Your professors are people too, whether you have a problem or not, talk to them, you might end up having a friend that can help you out more than a student or an English professor that will help with your papers down the road.
Don't be afraid to have fun and try new things. Take advantage of campus facilities, like a gym. Also don't be afraid of parties and drinking, but always be careful, spiked drinks, food, and general assholery happens more than your school would like to admit. Have fun and relax too, going weeks at a time without unwinding in some way is an easy way to end up depressed. Do look into groups and clubs, do not complain that there is not one for you unless you have tried to make one, I co-founded one, and it was a great decision.
>2) Someone mentioned Black Wing pencils being expensive, which are those and why were they expensive?
There's two types, the original which are expensive because they're discontinued so people are hording the last available and selling them for hundreds of dollars:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/blackwing-602-why-is-hollywood-600265
And then a company bought the rights to that type of pencil and tried to recreate them, but I think they're a bit different, some say not as good, but I have no idea I've never used either of them:
https://www.amazon.com/Palomino-Blackwing-602-12-Count/dp/B006YYPIUI
How about these babies?
2
https://www.amazon.com/Blackwing-103180-Palomino-602-12-Count/dp/B006YYPIUI/ Blackwings. Read somewhere they were the best pencil, and my wife got them for me for Christmas. They are definitely awesome.
Best (and only) wooden pencil podcast: http://www.erasable.us/
Best wooden pencil youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJJOStpzNewBJ0XfhRSsmfw
Amazon link to a good pencil: https://www.amazon.com/Uni-Hi-Uni-Wooden-Pencil-HUHB/dp/B001B8UH30/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1486776879&sr=8-5&keywords=mitsubishi+pencil
Welcome down another rabbit hole...
edit: then there's also r/tea and /r/Coffee
In case you haven't seen the u/chicklepip rewarded rant on this issue:
>Can we talk about the Dixon Ticonderoga for a minute?
>It is, by far, the best pencil on the market. And let me tell you why: because the little nub of rubber on top of it actually erases things. I'm sure that other pencils had this feature too, long ago, but at some point in history, pencilmakers everywhere decided that instead of a useful eraser, what consumers really wanted on top of their pencil was a shitty little piece of plastic that left a pinkish, streaky mess all over the paper.
>But not Dixon. The Ticonderoga still can actually erase. And for that, I salute you, Dixon.
>EDIT: Thanks for the gold. But for less than the price of reddit gold, you could have bought a fresh, new pack of Ticonderogas and almost had enough money left over for another fresh, new pack of Ticonderogas.
>EDIT 2: Lots of people trashing the Ticonderoga and trying to push the Palamaladingdong Black Wing 602. These cost $1.90 per pencil. And that is ridiculous. The good people at Dixon aren't going to rip you off like that. And you know what? They make a black Ticonderoga that is equally sexy, IF NOT SEXIER, than the Black Wing 602. AND a black Ticonderoga will only run you about 21 cents per pencil, which is a much better deal.
>EDIT 3: Some people are trying to push mechanical pencils. Sure, people can use those. Mechanical pencils are all well and good. But here is why the Dixon Ticonderoga is better than any mechanical pencil.
>#1. The Ticonderoga has its graphite embedded inside of it. This guarantees that the graphite will never slip up inside of the pencil body if you press down too hard, which tends to happen frequently with low-end mechanical pencils. It may happen less frequently with high-grade ones, but it will never happen with a Ticonderoga.
>#2. You must sharpen the Ticonderoga. Some people may think that this is a weakness, but I assure you that it is a strength. After writing a few pages, you'll see that your once-sharp tip is now a dull nub. It's a fine indication of all of the work you've done thus far. That dull nub tells you that you've accomplished something. And once you've sharpened it and started writing again? Boy oh boy, there is no finer feeling that using a freshly-sharpened pencil.
>#3. Sharpening the Ticonderoga releases a delectable wood scent into the air. The wood used in Dixon brand Ticonderogas is of a high quality, and is pleasant to smell. This cannot be achieved while using a mechanical pencil without also purchasing some sort of artificial wood scent spray.
>#4. The Ticonderoga is made of wood. This means that the pencil is always pleasant to the touch. It has a solid, natural feel to it, which you can't get with low-grade mechanical pencils, which are made of plastic. High-end mech pencils tend to be metal. When I wake up first thing in the morning, and grab one of my several Ticonderogas to start the day's crossword puzzle, do you know what I don't feel? The biting cold of a metallic pencil body against my fingers. What a way to ruin a perfectly good morning.
>EDIT 4: If anyone from the good people at Dixon are reading this: I would love some free pencils.
>EDIT 5: The good folks at Dixon just contacted me and are going to send me a box of sweet, sweet Ticonderogas. Either that, or I just gave my home address to a random redditor. In either case, I'll let you guys know when they get here.
>EDIT 6: They came! Thanks, Dixon!
>Just for the record, I don't work for Dixon, nor did anyone from their company ask me to make any of these posts. I'm just a simple man who loves good-quality, affordable pencils.
Awesome, /u/Runaway_5.
I recently picked up a bunch of Ticonderoga #2 pencils to donate to my local school. The teachers really like the pencils because they have quality lead that doesn't constantly break, and they sharpen nicely. The erasers also work better than the smudgy ones cheap pencils have. (I'm not calling the ones in the photo cheap). If anyone is interested in buying them to donate to Vic or anyone else, they're on sale right now at Walmart:
96CT for $6.92, so around 7 cents a pencil for good quality pencils
EDIT: Amazon also has them on sale
Get a set of pencils ranging in hardness and play around with how they produce value (Faber-Castell offers a comprehensive set such as this: https://www.amazon.com/Faber-Castell-9000-Graphite-Sketch-Pencil/dp/B000I5MNC0/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=faber+castell+pencil&qid=1557774920&s=gateway&sprefix=faber+castell+penvil&sr=8-3 ).
However, to distinguish layers in your work, a certain medium is not going to magically fix it--it's how you use that medium. Playing with value, atmospheric perspective, and variation of line quality to push elements forward/back is going to be what amplifies your different levels of depth in a piece, not so much the type of pencil/pen you are using.
Some Palomino Blackwing pencils. It seems ridiculous to spend that much on pencils, but there's just nothing like them.
They're not gone.
My students have shown me that golf pencils are very throwable. Much more so than regular pencils. I usually just get regular pre-sharpended Amazon brand Pencils which happen to be 150 for $10 right now:
AmazonBasics Pre-sharpened Wood... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071JM699P?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
That's a difference of $1779... Factor in some shipping and customization.. I must have at least saved you $1500!
Hi! Just took the CA Bar and am about to start packing out of my on campus apartment, so I'm feeling a bit whimsical and some of this may be more directed at her.
Writing, Notetaking, and Organization
If you're particular about writing instruments, which some people are, it will take trial and error to find your right fit. This was my go-to, and it got me through three years of time, four years of credits, and three different employers.
Sharpie Liquid Highlighters, Chisel Tip, 5 Colors
Pros
Cons
uni-ball Jetstream RT Ballpoint Pens, Bold Point (1.0mm)
Pros
Cons
Freeleaf® Yellow Annotation Ruled Pads Letter
Pros
Cons
Ticonderoga Pencils, Wood-Cased, Graphite #2 HB Soft, Black
Pros
Cons
BIC 4-Color Ballpoint Pen, Medium Point (1.0mm)
Pros
Since I am pickiest about those things, I will give more general comments about the rest.
This is more general, and beyond the scope of what you asked, but I felt like giving unasked for advice so you can take it or leave it.
Sleeping & Home Life
Health & Wellness
If it was a recycled/extruded pencil- Possibly try the Staedtler WOPEX. They're a bit of an acquired taste, though, I personally can't stand them because they're a pain to sharpen.
TreeSmart pencils also come to mind, although those are not wood.
I think my favorite weird pencil growing up was either the 90's trend to make everything out of jeans or Yikes, both which were extruded pencils from Berol....
Not exactly an unpopular opinion but Ticonderoga #2 is my favorite pencil, easy to sharpen, good erasers. Pentel high-polymers erase really well; if you don't go too hard with the lead they basically erase your paper back to white.
https://www.amazon.com/Ticonderoga-Wood-Cased-Graphite-Pencils-13872/dp/B00125Q75Y
https://www.amazon.com/Pentel-Hi-polymer-Block-Eraser-ZEH10BP3-K6/dp/B001Q4HQVU
I am an old fart, but what ever happened to this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HRKL53M/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07HRKL53M&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=f0dedbe2-13c8-4136-a746-4398ed93cf0f&pd_rd_wg=SfBsv&pf_rd_r=JMPE1CPPG4BMMM7515CH&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&pd_rd_w=tlyXu&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pd_rd_r=841bdf04-f0c6-11e8-a434-bf3dbd9e97d2
with this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00275QXLG/ref=s9_acsd_top_hd_bw_b4UIO_c_x_3_w?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-3&pf_rd_r=MQJ65T6Y1CV2AB1171ET&pf_rd_r=MQJ65T6Y1CV2AB1171ET&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=fc4929e1-76f6-52c2-bfa7-d56d4cc7f662&pf_rd_p=fc4929e1-76f6-52c2-bfa7-d56d4cc7f662&pf_rd_i=1069772
and this:
https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Wood-cased-Pencils-Box-144/dp/B0188A3QRM/ref=sr_1_7?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1543159829&sr=1-7&keywords=pencils+no+2
:-)
You could also get him the oversized children's pencils. http://www.amazon.com/Ticonderoga-Primary-Beginner-Pencils-33312/dp/B000QE2H6A
You should try the Palomino Blackwing! It even has a wiki article!
You've basically nailed it all down, all you need is some recommendations on notebooks. From what you've said, I would buy the following list of items:
B5 Lined MUJI Notebooks
These are absolutely fantastic. They are lightweight, the paper is smooth, and there is absolutely no bleedthrough even with wet fountain pens.
Pilot Hi-Tec C Gel Pen
It is such a pleasure to write with, that I wasn't sure if I'd go for this one or the Pilot G-Tec.
MUJI 0.5 ink pens
If you want to add some colour, I like these pens. They're not too wet, nor too dry. The Japanese factor will please her.
Blackwing pencils
I stopped using pencils after highschool, and then I bought one of these and let me tell you one thing, this pencil right here will make you want to trade all your pens for pencils.
Mirado Black Warriors.
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
Amazon too. Seriously great pencils, as long as you have a decent sharpener that won't break the lead; the erasers are the best I've ever encountered.
Pencil No. 1
Pencil No. 3
Pencil No. 4
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
Ticonderoga HB 2 It says it's "The worlds best pencil" soo yeah.
I use this to sharpen it.
The Nite Ize pen runs about $16 on Amazon, and refills are about $11.
You can get 96 Dixon Ticonderoga pencils for less than the initial cost of the pen.
Pencil shavings can also be used for tinder as stated above, and can also be carved into pegs, toggles, stakes, trap parts, etc.
You can find a similar one here I have one I keep on my desk and it works pretty well.
I believe some other companies sell "higher quality" ones as well!
You are missing out
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071JM699P/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_6HcrDb1CMDX1D
I'm not OP, but get good pencils. Every teacher on earth needs those. Less broken lead means less pencil sharpening and more learning.
Like old school. Here's one of my favorites: Palomino Blackwing 602 - 12 Count https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006YYPIUI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_3V8oybKTRXVYH
yes indeed they do
While I don't think jumping straight to digital (especially with an iPad) is the best way to learn to draw, you seem pretty reluctant to use anything else, so I will say this: You absolutely need a stylus with pressure sensitivity, it will make drawing much easier. You mentioned wanting something to ease workflow, but using an iPad without a pressure sensitive stylus is not the way that can be achieved. Sure it may be fine a rough sketch, but anything beyond that will be very difficult because of how you will have to manually adjust the size and density of the brush.
Also, as I said before, an iPad is probably not the best way to learn to draw. It doesn't have a very high LPI touch resolution, even a $79 dollar Wacom pen tablet has a higher LPI. However, you said accuracy isn't a big deal and you don't want to use a PC, so if you want to keep using an iPad, that's your choice.
Really, I think pencil and paper are the best way to go when you are learning. If paper having "no undo" worries you because pencil doesn't erase cleanly, then get this. It has pencils that leave marks much lighter than a normal no. 2 pencil allowing very clean erasing when sketching, and has pencils that leave darker marks than no. 2 pencils, which is good for final linework. Plus, the different shades of pencil make shading your drawing much easier.
Also,
>I prefer that others don't tell me what to do, preaching their personal opinions as undisputed facts, leaving little room for interpretation and adjustment to one's preferences.
While nobody here is going to physically force you do anything, people may indeed tell you what do, as that is the point of constructive criticism/critique. It would be poor etiquette to simply criticize someone's work without offering advice or telling them how they can improve upon it. If you don't want someone telling you how to make your work better, and would rather do it on your own, but would still like to know what is wrong with your drawing, then maybe that it is something you should mention in the comments of your post.
Anyway, I hope this was helpful.
>Lots of people trashing the Ticonderoga and trying to push the Palamaladingdong Black Wing 602. These cost $1.90 per pencil. And that is ridiculous. The good people at Dixon aren't going to rip you off like that. And you know what? They make a black Ticonderoga that is equally sexy, IF NOT SEXIER, than the Black Wing 602. AND a black Ticonderoga will only run you about 21 cents per pencil, which is a much better deal.
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.
Wrong.
http://www.amazon.com/Ticonderoga-Number-Pencils-Yellow-13883/dp/B0017D8182/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335247966&sr=8-1
If you don't mind the price, Caran D'Ache Grafwood are great.
For a more reasonable price Mitsubishi Hi-Uni are probably my favorite pencils, other than perhaps the old Tombow Mono 100's that were made in Japan (they moved to Vietnam and the quality when down somewhat) which you may not like, not sure which Tombows you tried.
I need art supplies. I start uni again very soon, and I'm doing an illustration degree. Art supplies are extortionate, and I just can't afford all that I need. I really, really need new pencils and coloured pencils. Pretty essential to have when doing art!
Thank you so much for the contest ♥
You should do the form studies from life in the beginning. It's much easier to get a handle on form and creating the illusion of it on the page of you're drawing objects in front of you. I really wouldn't recommend waiting til after the form studies to start practicing some life drawing.
You should be paying attention the the values(darks and lights) and shoot for value accuracy. Using drawing pencils of different hardnesses can really help with this, but it isn't strictly necessary. Charcoal is also a really good option for form studies. Make sure you include the highlights, but how you do it is less important than just doing it and experimenting until you figure out what works for you. Just look for the shapes the highlights make and how sharp/soft the edges are.
Edit: if you don't already have good drawing pencils, these pencils are quite good and they're on sale right now. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I5MNC0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_zNRPCbQVCSC8R
The only wood pencils I will ever buy are Dixon Ticonderoga pencils, and the only mechanical pencils I will ever buy are Bic Mechanical Pencils. It seems like every other pencil uses plastic as an eraser, as if someone at PaperMate said, "Hey, we can save money if we stick a piece of crap on the end of the pencil and say it's an eraser!"
I buy this 96 pack of pencils for my son every year and an extra one for the classroom. The teachers don't ask for specific brands but Ticonderoga is a better brand that I just prefer to buy.
These specific ones aren't pre sharpened but anytime there's been a request for pre sharpened pencils I just sharpen them myself. The teacher doesn't care if it's bought that way or done at home as long as they don't have to waste a ton of time sharpening pencils themselves.
good news lads! You can get one of your own on Aamzon!
https://www.amazon.com/Kikkerland-4342-4-In-1-Pen-Tool/dp/B00PN055HU/ref=pd_bxgy_469_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00PN055HU&pd_rd_r=4QSGMAR33TMKPJ648K80&pd_rd_w=j6CQg&pd_rd_wg=xDDio&psc=1&refRID=4QSGMAR33TMKPJ648K80
Are these the right ones? :)
I'm a Ticonderoga Black man myself. There's two sharpened and ready for action on my desk at all times. There's something visceral about writing with a proper wooden pencil. Especially, a good one.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B071JM699P/ref=sspa_mw_detail_0?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Why pay for some shitty overpriced pencil when I could get quality overpriced pencils?
I'm no pro by any means but I have a lot of fun drawing after work and certainly I'd love my SO surprised me with something like:
Also you can always include some nice accesories like blending stumps, different types of erasers, a good cutter/blade or sharpener.
Does she like books? Andrew Loomis' books are incredible! Drawing the Head and Hands!
These are (for me) good options for a present. Depending on budget you could increse/decrease the count on the color set but 24/36 is a good starting point.
I hope this helps.
I would recommend something in the pencil range from Staedtler or Derwent, depending on your price range and what he may already have, a sketch set with a range from 6B to like 4H (because this happened to have that), but generally a range of hardnesses, a couple of different erasers (kneaded are particularly fun, but I have become partial to the white plastic ones recently), and a sketchbook or two (am partial to the recycled Strathmore ones) in a 9x12ish and/or 4x8 would probably be a good start. OH, and a good metal pencil sharpener, is cheap but probably the best thing (Pentel makes good erasers and sharpeners).
Really, you would definitely be able to drop by your local art supply store (probably Michael's) and get all he'd need, might wait for a sale or grab stuff from amazon and just look at the options in the store.
For what it's worth I'm a penniless recent college grad but the above is what I bought in hs/college with coupons and sales and the like, is definitely a good start. Colored pencils I still go with a good old 50 pack of Crayolas, and I have a 4 pack of Faber-Castell artist markers (for lining and inking), usually ~$15, can get on amazon or where ever.
Edit: Alvin (and Staedtler) also make nice mechanical pencils and the like, if he's more into (or is studying something) technical drawing. That said I have metal Zebra mechanical pencils I really like and are much of what I use right now.
I love mechanical pencils and have way too many, but for certain types of more serious, large scale, artistic sketching, I often prefer wood pencils for some reason. They are light and simple...my favorite set is Uni Hi-Uni Wooden Pencil set. 22 pencils ranging from 10h to 10b!
https://www.amazon.com/Uni-Hi-Uni-Wooden-Pencil-Art/dp/B001HAOBDY
I used to prefer Conte, until they changed design from polygon to round...but they’re still good:
https://www.jacksonsart.com/en-us/conte-graphite-pencil-drawing-set-of-12?___store=jacksonsart_us&gclid=CjwKCAiA4t_iBRApEiwAn-vt-_HztD7IgZrlWyQRr908hx5HXwdQZEy0trlskRGYQxM05keW-Uvt8xoC4w4QAvD_BwE
Just because they’re good for sketching, it doesn’t slow down my mechanical pencil collection.
Nice thing about the set of wood pencils is that they’re ready to go. Even if you could get as broad of a range of hardnesses in mechanical leads (and you can’t) you still won’t, in reality, change your lead out as often as you should be using a different hardness. And setting up different pencils with different hardnesses can be exhausting. It’s so easy to grab a tin of pencils and go draw! You can grab an 8h for this then switch to a 6h for that...super fast and comfortable to draw with. Get multiple soft leads as they go faster...your high H leads will last a long time.
For next time
There are other number pencils; Artists who use pencil often use different numbered pencils. Here's a link to cure your pencil envy:
http://www.amazon.com/Ticonderoga-Number-Pencils-Yellow-13883/dp/B0017D8182
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
Don't buy cheap chinese pencils or colored erasers. Get yourself a nice Staedler set and some decent white erasers.
A set of these for sketching: https://www.amazon.com/STAEDTLER-break-resistant-super-bonded-100-G12/dp/B0014E2S0Q/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=staedtler+pencils+set&qid=1572010245&sr=8-4
Or just get yourself some HB staedlers for drafting.
http://www.amazon.com/Palomino-Blackwing-Pencils-12-Count/dp/B006CQWILK
http://palominobrands.com/blackwing-collection/
Might this be the pencil his was referring to? They are not pure graphite but they all black and really high quality pencils.
There are also these pure graphite pencils but they seem to be more of an office supply than a gift.
http://www.staples.com/Staedtler-allXWrite-2-HB-Graphite-Pencils-5-Pack/product_949299
If she likes to draw, try this
I got these last year, and they're my favorite set by far. They look and feel amazing to use, I recommend them all the time.
Here's another link, Amazon is running low
I can't find any online, but you may also want to get her a drawing bridge. It's a piece of raised plastic. It's to keep your hand off the paper, so you don't smear the drawing.
I've been using the pencil every day for about a week and I don't feel that "mushiness" at all. The entire mechanism holding the lead retracts by about 1-2 millimetres when first touching the paper, but that actually makes the writing experience more pleasant for me. It's definitely the best mechanical pencil I've used.
The only problem I've noticed is that the entire mechanism moves sideways by about 1 mm when applying a fair bit of pressure on either side of the pencil (sometimes while writing).
Before using the Kuru Toga, I was using a Mitsubishi Uni HB pencil similar to these and the lead was amazingly smooth.
http://www.amazon.com/Staedtler-Lumograph-Sketching-100G12-Attractive/dp/B0014E2S0Q/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1416962533&sr=8-3&keywords=staedtler+mars+lumograph+pencils
Only $14.58 and are amazing quality from what I've heard. Staedtler, in my opinion, make some of the finest art supplies when it comes down to graphite pencils. Prismacolor colored pencils are also great but are expensive - you can get a 24 set of them for $15 and they are excellent (I use them frequently).
Perhaps look on dickblick.com, they always have sales that include some products being 50% off.
Hope this helped you!
Bro, get these: http://www.amazon.com/Faber-Castell-9000-Graphite-Sketch-Pencil/dp/B000I5MNC0/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1405561943&sr=8-17&keywords=Faber+castell
Won't regret this either: http://www.amazon.com/Long-Point-Pencil-Sharpener-Pointer/dp/B0038RA6KG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405562006&sr=8-1&keywords=Long+point+sharpener
Other recent garage related Amazon purchases:
What kind of charcoal are you using? Is it vine charcoal or charcoal pencils? Charcoal pencils come in many different qualities and some are really bad imo. I'm using the conte a paris 1710 B and it's great because it doesn't smear nearly as much as other brands.
2mm leads are easy to find -- they are standard for draftsmen. And you can get them in colors, too. As for the others:
The Palomino Blackwings
The Staedtler Noricas
The Staedtler all-graphites were about a dollar each.
I might add that for my workshop, I have recently bought some 5.6mm mechanical pencils, which are also easy to find on Amazon.
Codename Duchess
3.10
1.97
4.90
4.49
4.59
1.99
3.99
$25.03 if I mathed correctly
Here's enough to last half a lifetime, or if you're like me and lose every damn writing implement you touch, about a week.
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
I only used a pen at university for exams, every other time I used a pencil - partly because I wanted to minimise my environmental impact, but mostly because I make a lot of mistakes. I don't know where you're based but on the balance of probability here are some US-based pencils made of newspaper and they look like this in the UK.
As for a pen that you might need for exams, I got mine from a milkround fair, but if you're really eco-conscious then you can get biodegradable ballpoints
Two words - black warrior.
http://www.amazon.com/Paper-Mate-Mirado-Warrior-Pencils/dp/B00006IEES
Killer pencils, cheap and easy to find.
Clever compromise?
Either you trust the machine, or you trust the printout.
If you trust the machine, it's not a compromise, it's just the electronic solution with some "feel good" stuff on top.
If you don't trust the machine, and only trust the printout, then I can sell you 144 cheaper versions of that machine for only $10, right here on amazon.
They make them in black now too: Amazon
amazon
Here are some number 3's
http://www.amazon.com/Dixon-Ticonderoga-Wood-Cased-Pencils-13883/dp/B0017D8182
Number 4's!
http://www.amazon.com/Dixon-Ticonderoga-Wood-Cased-Pencils-13884/dp/B000Y4A1H4/ref=pd_sim_229_3?ie=UTF8&dpID=51RWeSb3XPL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0312R4CSZDDE3K6W5DJ8
$4 with prime shipping on Amazon Kikkerland 4-In-1 Pen Tool (4342) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PN055HU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_MG-NAbG4G2BAQ
You'll need a lot of pencils though
Here you go!
I used the faber castell 9000 series pencil set on this. They are my favorite pencils I've tried so far. They seem to go on smoother than most cheaper pencils I've used.
https://www.amazon.com/Faber-Castell-Castell-Smooth-Graphite-Assorted/dp/B000I5MNC0
Also, sorry I don't know what those charcoal sticks are called.
I recommend this one.
https://www.amazon.co.jp/三菱鉛筆-鉛筆-ハイユニ-HUHB-1ダース/dp/B001B8UH30/
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.
PALOMINO BLACKWING 602! By the way, cheeper here.
Seriously, I love these pencils. They're remarkably easy to write with and leave a clear, crisp text on the page. But the wonder is that you don't have to press as hard as you do with a Ticonderoga. I use them on English essays, hundreds of pages, and it saves my hand every time. Oh how I love those pencils.
But never let a student have one; you'll never get it back and those babies are expensive.
** edit: forgot to mention, you'll want to get the hand sharpener too. It just makes life easier and fun.
Pencils are $13 for 150 pencils.
AmazonBasics Pre-sharpened Wood Cased #2 HB Pencils, 150 Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071JM699P/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Lk.KDbTTCT0TG
Are you saying NO textbook was issued? What grade / school was that?
Not good enough. We have to ban the semi-automatic lead launching killing machines too.
https://www.amazon.com/Stacking-Point-Pencil-Assortment-pieces/dp/B0074MEYZY
I bought these pencils from amazon and I think they are pretty good. I am not any kind of good artist or anything, but I just wanted some different pencils to play with. There are more expensive versions, so these might not be the best ones out there.