What #2 Pencil Should I use? Forum

Dr. Dre · Post by **Dr. Dre** » Sat Aug 03, 2013 3:09 am

If you want me to update this thread in any way, let me know

Kimikho · Post by **Kimikho** » Sat Aug 03, 2013 3:45 am

Dr. Dre · Post by **Dr. Dre** » Sat Aug 03, 2013 3:49 am

doublehoohopeful wrote:Hello fellow pencil enthusiasts.

During some time between study sessions today, I decided to do some experimenting with some pencils and to try and qualify/quantify some of the main differences between pencils.

My methodology was pretty simple, first, I sharpened each of the pencils to a fine point with the Kum Long Point. Next, I took off the super sharp edge by scribbling for 10 seconds on a sheet of standard computer paper. Next, I took a Scantron sheet and conducted the smudge test for each of the pencils by bubbling in one circle and rubbing my pointer finger across it 5 times with medium pressure. Finally, I made another Scantron-esque bubble on a sheet of computer paper and erased it for approximately 2 seconds.

My results are as follows, with the pencils being ranked from grippiest to least grippy, as well as some comments on a few in terms of lead grip. Here is the format for each review: Pencil Name: (any notes on lead grip), Smudge Test Result: , Fit and Finish Ranking and Notes: , Eraser Ranking: (Relative Scale out of 10)

Ticonderoga Black: Smudge: Higher than average, Fit and Finish: Weak, small, uncomfortable in hand, Eraser Ranking: 5/10

Palomino Prospector: Smudge: Average, Fit and Finish: Uncomfortable, sharp edges, Eraser Ranking: 5/10

General's Semi-Hex: "grip bit higher than Palomino (HB), but not as refined. great find for four bucks for a dozen", Smudge: Average, Fit and Finish: Decent, although a step down from the Palomino HB, Eraser Ranking: 9/10 (Highest out of the bunch)

Palomino HB: Smudge: Bit less than average, Fit and Finish: Definitely a step down from the 602, although it is quite nice, Eraser Ranking: 6/10

Palomino Golden Bear: Smudge: Less than Average, Fit and Finish: Step down from the Palomino HB, starting to get uncomfortable and sharp, Eraser Ranking: 7/10

Palomino Blackwing 602: "easy, quick, and smooth": Smudge: Higher than average, Fit and Finish: The Ferrari of pencils. Unique ferrule and color that strikes fear in the hearts of other test takers, Eraser Ranking: 6/10

Staedler Rally: "too slick": Smudge: Average, Fit and Finish: Feels smaller and fragile, although not as bad as the Ticonderoga Black, Eraser: 6/10

My conclusion on lead grip is that there is definitely a sweet-spot and that it may come down to personal preference. The time it took to bubble in a Scantron bubble was pretty identical for each pencil, except for the Ticonderoga Black, which took a slight bit more effort and time. Personally, I liked the feel of the Palomino HB and the General's Semi-Hex the best, as they had a good balance of grip. However, the feel of the Ticonderoga black as too grippy and the Staedler Rally as too frictionless was noticeable and not to my liking.

On fit and finish, nothing comes close to the 602. However, the Palomino HB and the General's Semi-Hex are lightyears ahead of the rest of the pack, with the Palomino HB feeling better in hand than the Semi-Hex.

On erasers, the Semi-Hex surprised me on this one and outperformed every other pencil, even my beloved Palomino 602s and Palomino HBs.

Concerning point longevity, this experiment was not designed to test that over the course of a section. However, in my other experience, I like a fresh pencil for each section, with possibly two over the course of LG and three or four over the course of my writing sample.

Overall, on October 5th, I'm going to be leaning towards the Palomino HB for my weapon of choice on the multiple choice sections and the Palomino 602 for the writing section. While the HB's eraser is inferior to the Semi-Hex, I carry a Pentel Hi-Polymer eraser that is even better than the Semi-Hex's eraser, so all I really care about is lead grip and feel-in-hand. I'll also bring some Semi-Hexes just in case I feel like using them come game day or for any tesTTTakers that bring mechanical pencils.

D-Day Lineup as of Now:

5 Palomino HBs

5 Palomino Blackwing 602s

12 General's Semi-Hexes

bump

rebexness · Post by **rebexness** » Sat Aug 03, 2013 5:06 am

How could that review leave out the Black Warrior? Clearly incomplete and in need of an update.

Nonconsecutive · Post by **Nonconsecutive** » Sat Aug 03, 2013 2:45 pm

I'd have to concur with that.

neprep · Post by **neprep** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 11:31 am

http://xkcd.com/499/

alpha kenny body · Post by **alpha kenny body** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 11:47 am

I plan to buck the system and use these pencils! Haha jk...but really doe

--LinkRemoved--

Dr.Zer0 · Post by **Dr.Zer0** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 1:14 pm

ManoftheHour wrote:This thing is pretty beast:

http://www.amazon.com/Kum-Automatic-Pen ... +longpoint

Got mine in the mail yesterday...my god it sharpens pencils perfectly 99.9% of the time.

SteelPenguin · Post by **SteelPenguin** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 2:44 pm

neprep wrote:http://xkcd.com/499/

There really is a relevant xkcd for everything.

clay7676 · Post by **clay7676** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 2:59 pm

Is this real?

PourMeTea · Post by **PourMeTea** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 3:09 pm

Post removed.

ManoftheHour · Post by **ManoftheHour** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 3:44 pm

clay7676 wrote:Is this real?

What are you using?

Dr. Dre · Post by **Dr. Dre** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 4:02 pm

PourMeTea wrote:
clay7676 wrote:Is this real?
Flame

clay7676 · Post by **clay7676** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 4:06 pm

Whatever pencil I find in my bag that is sharpened. Though, I've always used mechanical pencils, I just don't think it's very important. Most Scranton now day can detect small blemishes of marks, so as long as you have a good eraser, i don't think this is a problem and most pencils can handle this job. As far as note taking, etc., I just don't really understand the big deal. Maybe I should look into it and you guys are right..

PourMeTea · Post by **PourMeTea** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 4:33 pm

Post removed.

10052014 · Post by **10052014** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 5:11 pm

Dr. Dre · Post by **Dr. Dre** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 5:17 pm

jaylawyer09 wrote:
This thread is responsible for many 170+ scores on the June LSAT. Read through every page for testimonials.

I smell TROLL

are you new here, brah?

ManoftheHour · Post by **ManoftheHour** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 5:25 pm

jaylawyer09 wrote:
This thread is responsible for many 170+ scores on the June LSAT. Read through every page for testimonials.

I smell TROLL

Wth is wrong with you?

ManoftheHour · Post by **ManoftheHour** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 5:27 pm

clay7676 wrote:Though, I've always used mechanical pencils

I stopped right there. Mechanical pencils are illegal. Thank god you stumbled upon this thread.

MTH2 wrote:I plan to buck the system and use these pencils! Haha jk...but really doe

--LinkRemoved--

Don't.

From LSAC's website if you don't believe me:

http://www.lsac.org/jd/announcements-and-news.asp

Items permitted in the test room. Tests takers may bring into the room only a clear plastic ziplock bag, maximum size one gallon (3.79 liter), which must be stored under the chair and may be accessed only during the break. The ziplock bag may contain only the following items: LSAT Admission Ticket stub; valid ID; wallet; keys; hygiene products; #2 or HB pencils, highlighter, erasers, pencil sharpener (no mechanical pencils); tissues; beverage in plastic container or juice box (20 oz./591 ml maximum size) and snack for break only.

You've a lot to learn, my friend. It's okay. We were once like you.

PourMeTea · Post by **PourMeTea** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 5:35 pm

Post removed.

10052014 · Post by **10052014** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 5:45 pm

Pancakes12 · Post by **Pancakes12** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 5:46 pm

I'm new to this thread, and I'm glad I found it. Thanks Dre.

I've been a fan of the Ticonderoga and Ticonderoga Black since high school (with a preference for Tic Black). Unfortunately, I couldn't find any near my university before taking the June LSAT. I elected to use the Black Warrior, and it worked fine. But if I were doing it all agian, I'd order some classic Tic Blacks off amazon or something.

ManoftheHour · Post by **ManoftheHour** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 6:00 pm

jlb251 wrote:I'm new to this thread, and I'm glad I found it. Thanks Dre.

I've been a fan of the Ticonderoga and Ticonderoga Black since high school (with a preference for Tic Black). Unfortunately, I couldn't find any near my university before taking the June LSAT. I elected to use the Black Warrior, and it worked fine. But if I were doing it all agian, I'd order some classic Tic Blacks off amazon or something.

Some people swear by the Warriors. I've never used them though. I use the Black Ticons and some TLSers like MDLG think they're TTT. I think they're fine and they're definitely classes above my previous TTTT CVS pencils.

Pancakes12 · Post by **Pancakes12** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 6:05 pm

ManoftheHour wrote:
jlb251 wrote:I'm new to this thread, and I'm glad I found it. Thanks Dre.

I've been a fan of the Ticonderoga and Ticonderoga Black since high school (with a preference for Tic Black). Unfortunately, I couldn't find any near my university before taking the June LSAT. I elected to use the Black Warrior, and it worked fine. But if I were doing it all agian, I'd order some classic Tic Blacks off amazon or something.
Some people swear by the Warriors. I've never used them though. I use the Black Ticons and some TLSers like MDLG think they're TTT. I think they're fine and they're definitely classes above my previous TTTT CVS pencils.

They (warriors) wrote fine and the eraser was decent, but in my experience they just did not sharpen well. I took six or seven to the test because I knew I wouldn't be able to sharpen them mid-test.

clay7676 · Post by **clay7676** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 6:36 pm

jlb251 wrote:
ManoftheHour wrote:
jlb251 wrote:I'm new to this thread, and I'm glad I found it. Thanks Dre.

I've been a fan of the Ticonderoga and Ticonderoga Black since high school (with a preference for Tic Black). Unfortunately, I couldn't find any near my university before taking the June LSAT. I elected to use the Black Warrior, and it worked fine. But if I were doing it all agian, I'd order some classic Tic Blacks off amazon or something.
Some people swear by the Warriors. I've never used them though. I use the Black Ticons and some TLSers like MDLG think they're TTT. I think they're fine and they're definitely classes above my previous TTTT CVS pencils.
They (warriors) wrote fine and the eraser was decent, but in my experience they just did not sharpen well. I took six or seven to the test because I knew I wouldn't be able to sharpen them mid-test.

Good point. It seems like just bringing a large amount of pencils would remedy any problem you may have with any particular pencil. I think that is a good stance to take no matter what, because you never know what may happen to one of your pencils.