Bring a writing implement

Thoughts on finding pens and pencils to carry

There is something to be said about writing something down, for real, on a piece of paper.

I like the feeling of making a physical mark, not just a digital one. And though they can still break, pens and pencils don’t need charging, so they are good to have when our futuristic devices are out of juice.

Because of this, I like to carry a pen and pencil. But, since there are so many options, I have to make some choices.

Here are some notes on choosing the writing implements I carry with me.

Define Preferences

Pocketable & Performant

Different people will have differing opinions on what they write with. Here’s a look at what guided my search.

• Portable: I want to bring the writing implements with me, which for me means a front jeans pocket. They should be able to fit easily, feel secure, and not tear the pocket to shreds or feel uncomfortable. They should be able to travel well.
• Pen and pencil: A pen and pencil put you in different head spaces, and it is good to have access to both.
• Don’t break the bank: There are so many great writing implements, but they can become quite pricey. My choices don’t have to cost pennies, but they shouldn’t cost thirty dollars each either. Also, I don’t tend to misplace pens and pencils, but if I do, it should be relatively simple to replace.
• Hit the ground running: It can be tempting to mod a writing implement into a custom creation, solving every minor problem with its design. I agree with the philosophy to tailor your tools, but I would prefer implements that already have all the bells and whistles pre-installed. Ideally, they should work out-of-the-box with minimal customization.
• Care about little things: Little annoyances will bug me in the long run. I can make concessions, but be aware of the writing experience and feel.

I tend to lean more toward the pencil than the pen, so I find myself more forgiving and less particular about that side of the equation. Still, these points apply.

My Favorites

These are the two implements that I like to keep with me.

Pencil: KOKUYO Enpitsu Sharp 0.7 mm Mx

Portable precision

This pencil checks so many boxes for me. From a retractable drafting-style tip, to a robust construction and a beefy eraser, it is a joy to use. There are several versions, but I find the weightier one (top above, PS-P502) feels the best.

• Retractable tip: The pencil includes a drafting-style tip that stows so it can travel in my pocket with ease, while still allowing for a precise writing experience. I tried their simpler version with an un-tapered tip (pictured bottom, PS-P202), but found it does make a difference for me to see the tip clearly.
• Sizable eraser: I like having a large eraser and mechanical pencils often fall short on this point, with small erasers hidden behind caps. This pencil has a very sizable eraser that twists independent from the clip, making it feel robust.
• Robust tank: It feels solid and weighty in the hand, and the clip feels secure instead of flimsy. The top is bound to the main body, so there isn’t a lot of play between the parts.

Concessions

• Kinda pricey: While it isn’t crazy, ten dollars is a little costly. But I believe its robust construction is worth it.
• Heavy: I actually prefer this, but if you care about weight, it may feel a little hefty to you. The company offers other versions that are lighter if that’s a sticking point (pictured middle and bottom).
• There are comfier grips: The hexagonal grip does a good job at providing a good grasp, but it is a harder plastic construction, not a softer cushier gel.

Pen: Bic 4-Color

Affordable performance

Simple but well executed, this pen lasts a ridiculously long time and allows for color-coding without being too bulky. I thought I’d like the mini version, but it feels too small in the hand and I actually prefer the similar sizing to the pencil in my pocket rather than a stark sizing contrast.

• Four pens in one: It’s right there in the name. This pen allows for a lot of functionality in a small form factor. Each pen lasts a long time, and it allows me to get creative with the color for different situations.
• Affordable: You can buy a box of twelve for about twenty bucks and be set for several lifetimes.
• Simple: Even with multiple pens moving around, I don’t find it jamming, and it is made with very few pieces, making it feel compact.

Concessions

• Tall: The pen has a taller top, with a clip relatively low down the base. This means it sticks out a bit from my pocket, but I don’t find it getting in the way.
• Cheap pen(s): Certainly a case of getting what you pay for, the roller ball pens are very simple. (Ex. you may need to get them started) If people expect more from their pens, you’ll want to look elsewhere. They do have other versions if gel or smoother ink is more your speed.
• Loud: If you like to fidget with your pens by clicking them and you are in close proximity to others, you will find people quickly grow to resent your presence. Also, the inner pens rattle a bit, but it oddly doesn’t bug me.

Pencil alternatives

Pentel Sharp

An affordable drafting pencil, boiled down to its essence.

• Pluses: Built like a tank with an excellent drafting tip. You can find them everywhere.
• Minuses: For me, it’s like putting a hypodermic needle in your pocket. The eraser is hidden behind a cap and feels too small, though I’ll concede it is internally long and adjustable with a metal band. The clip is a little severe in its grip strength.

Staedtler triplus micro

A slim retractable pencil that won’t roll away.

• Pluses: Retractable tip for pocket travel. Sizable eraser. An affordable alternative to the KOKUYO.
• Minuses: I miss the drafting tip. The eraser is sizable but thin. I don’t like the clip being tied to the eraser twist and the lead advancement motion feels clunky.

Pentel Twist-Erase III

The best eraser in town with a cushioned ride.

• Pluses: The eraser to end all erasers, fat and lasts forever. Extra comfy grip.
• Minuses: Similar to the Pentel Sharp, it is too pokey the way I like to stow pencils in my pocket. I tend to break the metal clips off.

Other inspiring searches

I am not alone in searching to find the writing implement that works best for my preferences. Here are some results from two others that stand out, looking for the pencil they always want to have on hand. In both cases, they put a lot of weight on the aesthetics of the pencil like color nostalgia, and the desire to have them be easily replaceable, since they know they will be frequently lost.

Van Neistat: A Spirited Man’s Powerful Tool

Van Neistat has taken a decade to conclude that the Pentel Sharp P209 is the “correct pencil.” He likes that it can be found at many stores, has thick robust lead, and has a good color. He concedes it isn’t perfect, but he solves that by tailoring it along with the rest of his tools. He adds a silicone grip, a bigger eraser, and a date (but that’s a different discussion).

I totally agree that the pencil’s aesthetics are lovely—the 0.9 mm lead version especially—and Van modifies away some of the problems I have with it like the eraser and grip. I also like the 0.7 mm (blue) and 0.5 mm (black) versions (I tend to go for middle-of-the-road 0.7 mm on lead thickness). I do miss the retractable feature to allow for more places to stow such a powerful but pointy tool. That said, a Van Neistat P209 mod is definitely a step above.

• Why Do Details Matter? video on the correct pencil, among many other details

Adam Savage: Feeding The Pencil Monster

Adam Savage has quite the collection of items, and he holds the PaperMate Sharpwriter #2 pencil in high regard, to the point that he has hundreds of them around his shop. He misplaces pencils constantly, so he opts for a cheaper option, but his preference seems to mainly be about the feeling the pencil gives him. (he specifically likes the feel of the lead, how it erases, and its resilience towards breaking) That said, he laments that PaperMate has changed the formula, meaning the color has lost some of its opinionated hue, and the eraser and lead may feel a little different, though he admits he is incredibly biased towards the original. He has attempted to stockpile a bunch of his favorite version, as well as be receptive and grateful to the Tested community for sharing their favorite pencils with him.

I personally don’t have much experience with this pencil, though I will be on the lookout for them. I recall seeing them tucked in the utility drawers at my grandparents house. Adam shares his history with pencils, including his tendency to lose them (blue sticker for the Pencil Monster), but he also mentions that he first came across the Sharpwriter #2 while working at ILM. It is nice to hear about the origin of a writing implement preference. In a similar way, I was drawn to the Pentel Twist-Erase III’s at a young age because I’d see my dad use them. I then became interested in finding an alternative after chatting with him and realizing he had a similar desire for a drafting-style pencil that won’t catch in your pocket.

It is revealing to see how affecting a “simple” device like a pencil can be for people. I also love Adam’s introduction about the desire by makers of all kinds to share and trade on their favorite versions of tools, and pickup on new ones through what he terms as the “web of compared experience”. I share that sentiment.

• The Problem with Adam Savage’s Favorite Pencil video, where he shares his love of the Sharpwriter #2 and his sadness at it becoming ugly
• The Search for Adam’s Favorite Mechanical Pencil video, a followup mail bag, with submissions from viewers sharing their pencil preferences
• 2024-12-09 Update: Adam Savage’s Great Pencil Decision video, unpacking a gift package from Pentel (“Good design…makes everything a little bit better”)

Overall

Getting the right thing to write with is an ongoing process, and I doubt I’ll ever be done.

But, when I’m out and about, I have specific implements I reach for.

They are a joy to write with.

And that joy transfers into the marks I make with them.