Pencil Things

Pen reviews written in pen being reviewed

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.

Pencil Sampler Packs

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!