Pencils?

[koolpc]

Nobody mentioned staedtler yet!

 

[cheesefest]

As a kid, I remember using Yikes pencils. Very nice to use. Still got one left. £24 on eBay for 4!

 

[Django x2]

Either I've been completely misinformed for decades or there never was any lead in pencils. It was a case of mistaken identity centuries ago, when the orginal natural graphite deposit was found and wrongly assumed to be some form of lead.

Modern pencils (wood cased style) have never contained lead. It's called lead because ancient Romans used lead. I doubt the Staedtler H2B was around at that time!

The Unleaded Pencil

Here’s a myth buster: There is no lead in pencils. Rather, the core is made up of a non-toxic mineral called graphite. The common name “pencil lead” is due to an historic association with the stylus made of lead in ancient Roman times. If you’re looking for information on potential lead exposure...

pencils.com

Don't tell me what's in a pencil. Next you'll be telling me the Romans were the only ones to use lead in their paints when spraying up the Ceaser Escort MK2, and Opel Vesuvius GTE

 

[V F]

Don't tell me what's in a pencil. Next you'll be telling me the Romans were the only ones to use lead in their pants when spraying up the Ceaser Escort MK2, and Opel Vesuvius GTE

For some reason I read that for a split second.

 

[Rroff]

Either I've been completely misinformed for decades or there never was any lead in pencils. It was a case of mistaken identity centuries ago, when the orginal natural graphite deposit was found and wrongly assumed to be some form of lead.

According to Wiki in the early 1900s it wasn't uncommon for pencils to contain high enough levels of lead in the paint on them to cause poisoning, likewise in the first half of the 1900s some coloured/speciality pencils could contain some lead in the core.

I can't find a good source for it but supposedly end of the Victorian era cheap pencils could sometimes contain a high quantity of lead though I'd have thought lead would have been a more expensive way to produce them rather than cheaper - maybe it was contamination in production or something.

 

[DXP55]

As I make my leave I must ask one question as a Shakespearean aside at the doorway... 2B, or not 2B?

Who you calling Tubby ?

I remember those mechanical pencils as Architect pencils - I used one for 3 yrs - still got it somewhere. - must look it out - still got the set squares.

 

[dcsarge]

Pentel Graphgear 1000 mechanical pencil, practically indestructible too, unlike those horrible plastic things.

 

[Cadder]

Pentel P205 (0.5mm) or P207 (0.7mm) are spot on.

 

[chroniclard]

Now spending hours researching mechanical pencils. Bloody GD.

 

[Guest2]

2HB, like from the Fugees, The Score track "I autograph my lyrics with a number 2 pencil"
I think a no. 2 pencil though is just the type of graphite which gives it the darkness/lightness

 

[Gimli]

Clutch pencils are great. Similar to a mechanical pencil but has the tip of a standard pencil. You can get different grade lead but just stick with HB for writing - will require a special sharpener though.

Pencil - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Faber-Castell-Tk-9400-Clutch-Pencil/dp/B0007OECA8
Lead - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Faber-Castell-F127100-FC127100-GRAPH-DRWG-LEADS/dp/B0007OECFS
Sharperner - https://www.amazon.co.uk/SG-Education-F184100-Clutch-Sharpener/dp/B000KJVCVC

I use these and you should find a pack of 10 lead to last a long time. The lead shouldn't really break unless it's done intentionally...

 

[Demon]

Save some money and get him a second hand set for £0.51 (3 Pack.. bargain!)
https://www.greenwich-market-trader.co.uk/en/item.php?ITM=6855




And I'm shocked no one has suggested the Staedtler H/2B yet, those seemed very popular when I was at School.

 

[thebandit]

Clutch pencils are great. Similar to a mechanical pencil but has the tip of a standard pencil. You can get different grade lead but just stick with HB for writing - will require a special sharpener though.

Pencil - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Faber-Castell-Tk-9400-Clutch-Pencil/dp/B0007OECA8
Lead - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Faber-Castell-F127100-FC127100-GRAPH-DRWG-LEADS/dp/B0007OECFS
Sharperner - https://www.amazon.co.uk/SG-Education-F184100-Clutch-Sharpener/dp/B000KJVCVC

I use these and you should find a pack of 10 lead to last a long time. The lead shouldn't really break unless it's done intentionally...

I learnt something here, thanks for posting.

 

[DXP55]

I am sure that on my mechanical pencil the press button pulled out and the sharpener was on one end.?

 

[jpaul]

sharpener in end is not as good as standalone which you can re-hone with a stone..

now planning a bic free July ... F for starters

... graphite scraping are great for lubing locks, and had ground down some leads before buying dedicated powder

 

[Mikeyboy]

Blackwing 602.