The Search for Adam's Favorite Mechanical Pencil

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  • Опубліковано 24 гру 2024

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  • @tested
    @tested  6 місяців тому +49

    The Problem with Adam Savage's Favorite Pencil: ua-cam.com/video/bLwo1kOcwxs/v-deo.html
    PaperMate SharpWriter: amzn.to/3TyMjZK

    • @spasticmuse4262
      @spasticmuse4262 6 місяців тому +5

      Absolutely LOVE Adam's thought of a YT channel being like a small town!

    • @olivervision
      @olivervision 6 місяців тому +2

      Pentel twist-erase 0.9mm is my favorite.

    • @MaxPower-vf8kt
      @MaxPower-vf8kt 6 місяців тому +1

      They are, or have, brought the blackening pencil back.

    • @timthatshim8037
      @timthatshim8037 4 місяці тому

      Kind of depressing because I'm 36 now and I've been using them since I was in Middle School and unfortunately because of the previous video on the Paper Mate number 2 mechanical pencil I can't find any anywhere and I refuse to use the new ones our of principal

  • @shannonlanghart346
    @shannonlanghart346 6 місяців тому +449

    I'm laughing at Adam calling the colors of the click erasers uninteresting while wearing the exact same 3 colors on his shirt😂

    • @angelbar
      @angelbar 17 днів тому +1

      jajajaja right?

  • @timparsons3565
    @timparsons3565 6 місяців тому +642

    Adam's "It's fine. It's FIIIINE!" is such a devastating critique.

    • @tested
      @tested  6 місяців тому +204

      We dread hearing it.

    • @sundaynightdrunk
      @sundaynightdrunk 6 місяців тому +30

      I used to have a boss who was a great guy, very generous and helpful. He would give critiques like that, almost a "I'm not mad; I'm just disappointed" statement that would ruin a week. I'm not even sure he realized how much it would hurt the guys working for him, but he we learned to dread it.

    • @timparsons3565
      @timparsons3565 6 місяців тому +19

      @@sundaynightdrunk I had a boss that would soften his critiques with the phrase "you do good work" and then pick apart what he didn't like. So anytime he used the phrase as a genuine compliment, we would always joke that it meant he hated it. Good boss. Still great friends years later.

    • @sundaynightdrunk
      @sundaynightdrunk 6 місяців тому +11

      @@timparsons3565 Yeah, that guy taught me a lot about how to treat people because he was never mean about it, but you knew you could have done better. I'm a boss of sorts now and I probably do the same without realizing it.

    • @barongerhardt
      @barongerhardt 6 місяців тому +7

      @@sundaynightdrunk That is a great boss/work environment. It meets the requirements, but sets a higher expectation of standards and an acknowledgement that you have the capacity to get there. When you truly amaze that mentor, the satisfaction is off the charts.

  • @THEHARMONIKZ
    @THEHARMONIKZ 6 місяців тому +971

    Don't care what anyone says, - we all just watched a grown up play with a pencil collection for 10 mins straight.

    • @michaeldivento4175
      @michaeldivento4175 6 місяців тому +56

      I came here cuz I watched him talk about one for 16 minutes

    • @glen3925
      @glen3925 6 місяців тому +20

      And i took notes on it XD

    • @TomMotTom
      @TomMotTom 6 місяців тому +27

      And we all thoroughly enjoyed it

    • @hanslain9729
      @hanslain9729 6 місяців тому +11

      A pencil is a tool and a tool enables creation... I really enjoy Adam's deep dives into his favorites. Not unlike some of my favorite tools in my own garage. 🙂

    • @hanslain9729
      @hanslain9729 6 місяців тому +5

      ​@@mcfahkHe's just being honest.

  • @jerrysanchez5453
    @jerrysanchez5453 6 місяців тому +124

    It's so cool that you can just write Adam a letter like "hey check my pen out buddy" and he actually does. He is probably the only celebrity I've ever seen that hasn't disappointed me about who they are from when i was growing up

    • @snackie1359
      @snackie1359 6 місяців тому +5

      I've had the joy of meeting him in person and he's 100% genuine. One of my favorite celebrity status people out there for sure

    • @spoookyspencer
      @spoookyspencer 3 місяці тому

      Well to be fair, we have no idea how many letters he doesnt read. Or how many he reads and throws away.
      All we see is Adam Savage on a screen. We have no idea what he is like as a person in the real world.

    • @chilledburrito
      @chilledburrito Місяць тому +2

      Never meet your heros... Unless your hero is Adam Savage LoL

    • @mandykolbe8938
      @mandykolbe8938 16 днів тому

      100% agree. He’s so stream of consciousness that it’s impossible he’s not being genuine. Like I’m sure he has staff who help sort through his mail, but also the fact that he’s got a process where fans sending him pencils is something that gets through speaks highly of him.

  • @ronwingrove683
    @ronwingrove683 6 місяців тому +77

    That Adam Savage said "I like these pencils!" in a video and is then surprised that people sent him a bunch is testament to the humble nature of this man.

    • @MeepChangeling
      @MeepChangeling 4 місяці тому +1

      I had something similar happen once. I used to write MLP Fanfics as a way to get writing practice in that would show me how audiences react to different things. I once mentioned in a blog liking the character Trixie. I had my address up so people could send fan mail if they wanted. I thought it would be cool to get a letter once. I have been mailed about 9 different Trixie pushes, and countless other bits of merch for the character.
      It's so bizarre from the perspective of the content creator. If you told someone on the street you liked a thing, they'd just say "cool" or maybe chat with you about it. Do it online and if you have a fanbase of nicer people they just might drown you in whatever that thing was. It never occurs to you that people might do that. Hell having experienced it once, I sometimes catch myself thinking it won't happen again... But it might.

    • @monotech20.14
      @monotech20.14 3 місяці тому +1

      Adam Savage has the worst taste in mechanical pencils.

  • @captaincasualmusic
    @captaincasualmusic 6 місяців тому +34

    Forget trekkie videos. Forget musicians talking about their instruments. Forget larping. This. This is peak nerd, and it's wonderous to behold.

  • @Chickeeenz
    @Chickeeenz 6 місяців тому +20

    The fact he openly talks about the importance of esthetics makes me so happy! A clean black pencil might be perfect for having on the desk for an office worker or artist - a yellow/orange one is perfect for the inevitable chaos of a workshop.

  • @diamondunicorn1983
    @diamondunicorn1983 6 місяців тому +197

    I think Adam Savage is turning into this eras version of Mr. Rogers. He's nice and polite and genuinely loves his audience.

    • @-danR
      @-danR 6 місяців тому +6

      Adam is far too real to be confused with Mr. Rogers.
      "Uninteresting". Google Translation: "Boring"
      "It's fine... _fine._ " --> "If you like it, that's OK"
      I've enjoyed these videos far too long not to understand the Mr. Sensitivity-Guru persona is for entertainment value only.

    • @grittykitty50
      @grittykitty50 6 місяців тому +3

      diamondunicorn1983, it's funny you should compare Adam to Mr. Rogers. I was thinking the same thing because Adam can take a common issue and use it as a platform for espousing self actualization and moral development.

    • @jaykay845
      @jaykay845 6 місяців тому +14

      I'd loved to have seen Mr. Rogers explain to kids why he built an air cannon to fire a ballistic gel goose at a rubber duplicate of Fabios head.

    • @HappyCat3096
      @HappyCat3096 6 місяців тому

      And this is why his audience is so nice in return. He's really quite amazing.

    • @briansabo2348
      @briansabo2348 6 місяців тому

      I can't picture him in a sweater and clean up. It'd be funny as sin but I can't see it.

  • @johnwillis4319
    @johnwillis4319 Місяць тому +4

    Hey adam, no clue if you read these this far out, but I wanted to drop a thanks anyway for caring about the little stuff & sharing what you care about. The pentel sharplet-2 blue was my dad’s pencil. I don’t think he lost & bought a bunch or had strong opinions like you or I, he just had the same 10 or so for my entire life. I hadn’t thought about that pencil in a long time until I saw this video. He died 10 years ago this past weekend.
    He taught me how to be a carpenter with that pencil. He wrote reports to present to my schools board with that pencil. He designed our house with that pencil. I’m an architect now. Building with my dad & watching mythbusters is how I learned to love design & start making swords out of cardboard and duct tape in Jr. High. I cried about a pencil today. Then I ordered 50 of them. Thanks for bringing this pencil back into my life.

  • @direwoulf1663
    @direwoulf1663 6 місяців тому +243

    The real mechanical pencil are the friends we made along the way

    • @clickster1883
      @clickster1883 6 місяців тому

      😂🤣😂

    • @ianphilpott5164
      @ianphilpott5164 6 місяців тому +2

      The Pentel P200 series has always been my go to pencil, from starting my career on a drawing board to writing in my notebooks to working in my workshop. Replaceable erasers and a range of sizes 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 a d 0.9mm. Just the best

  • @ehsanrahee7411
    @ehsanrahee7411 6 місяців тому +113

    I've never heard someone call a clear pencil "uninteresting". It's strange how little aesthetic things can effect us. I almost exclusively prefer clear mechanical pencils. Seeing the insides and knowing how much lead is left is always useful information at the very least. Seeing it all move around is just cool.

    • @Lowekinder
      @Lowekinder 6 місяців тому +36

      I agree, in fact I always avoided Adam's favorite pencil because I felt the yellow was boring and just signaled cheap imitation of normal number 2s. Tastes are weird like that

    • @mattlampe
      @mattlampe 6 місяців тому +5

      I can totally respect your opinion on liking to see the insides, but I also agree with Adam here and think clear things like those pencils are ugly and uninteresting and just make the product feel cheap. But I also hate the papermate yellow color too.

    • @Wheels35
      @Wheels35 6 місяців тому +4

      @@Lowekinder not only boring, but it reminds me of the horrible cheap plasticky-feeling 'real' Number 2 pencils

    • @wretchedmess
      @wretchedmess 6 місяців тому +2

      People's tastes and preferences are interesting- @Lowekinder I didn't mind the yellow so much, as the cheap imitation aspect. I always thought the Sharpwriters were blunt and mushy and much prefer Pentel .5mm mechanical pencils.

    • @user-fk8zw5js2p
      @user-fk8zw5js2p 6 місяців тому +3

      I was a bit rattled when a young person told me that using a pencil eraser was like nails on a chalk board to them even though they had only ever heard nails on a chalk board in videos. I also find it interesting when i discover that something so simple as a pencil eraser can be an "acquired taste".

  • @koolrcky
    @koolrcky 6 місяців тому +234

    That ending made me realize that Adam is our modern day version of Mister Rogers showing us his world and all the interesting things in it and we are invited to be a part of it as his viewers

    • @jonas2431
      @jonas2431 6 місяців тому +6

      So true

    • @tested
      @tested  6 місяців тому +72

      A lovely way to put it -- thank you.

    • @pendaco
      @pendaco 6 місяців тому +15

      🎶 It's a beautiful day in this maker space, a beautiful day for a maker 🎶

    • @BenjaminCrigger
      @BenjaminCrigger 6 місяців тому +3

      I came to the comments to say exactly that. That ending hit a childhood nerve I didn't know was still that powerful and really explains a lot.

  • @NarcFreedom
    @NarcFreedom 6 місяців тому +11

    Can we give a round of applause to everyone who sent Adam these gifts?!?! Seriously. All of these thoughtful people spent money and time on this, and Adam gave use some nice content. Love it!!!

  • @MyNameisRahl
    @MyNameisRahl 6 місяців тому +19

    I love how brutally honest Adam is with his opinions on gifts from fans. 😆 He's very grateful, but certainly not going to sugarcoat it to keep people 100% happy.

  • @3dduff
    @3dduff 6 місяців тому +6

    Love it. As an artist, I have an internal dialog with my pencils/pens/brushes. It's always something like "I would like you to do THIS, but your doing THAT. Well can I compinsate for THAT...Ah, so that's what you want me to do!" This brings me closer to managing my tool to hone in on my desired result. But, some tools LIE TO YOU or break their promise. Then I feel misled (no pun intended), and I will start to hold a grudge against them. If you can't trust your tools, they are no good to you.

  • @tee_m
    @tee_m 6 місяців тому +109

    Huge fan of the Uni Kuru Toga personally. Rotring makes one hell of a pencil too.

    • @hwoodist
      @hwoodist 6 місяців тому +15

      This is my favorite as well. The rotating lead is a great feature.

    • @BurittoSandwich
      @BurittoSandwich 6 місяців тому +6

      It's a great pencil for sure, but the slight springiness in the tip made my writing connect too much because I don't lift the pencil high enough. Almost like a false cursive type of writing.

    • @tee_m
      @tee_m 6 місяців тому +3

      @@BurittoSandwich know what you mean but I quite like that feel, coming from fountain pens. Worth a look at some other models in their range though as they do many and their feel varies a lot.

    • @BurittoSandwich
      @BurittoSandwich 6 місяців тому +4

      @@tee_m I've mainly stuck with the Pentel Orenz now. The retracting metal sleeve allows me to use 0.3mm lead for super fine writing without worrying about breakages.

    • @ad08star
      @ad08star 6 місяців тому +6

      Uni KT and Pentel Graphgear 1000 are my absolute favourite.

  • @treycooper3715
    @treycooper3715 6 місяців тому +15

    @Adam savage! Thank you for coming to Dallas fan Expo this weekend! I was the last person to grab a selfie with you and it made my month! I start cancer treatment today and meeting a hero was a bright light in a dark time!! Thank you for all you do sir!

    • @MrOnlymoin1
      @MrOnlymoin1 14 днів тому

      how are you doing? i pray that you are fine.

  • @Taallyn
    @Taallyn 6 місяців тому +23

    I used the Click Eraser all through college in the late 80s. It was very popular with science and engineering students. The sounds of a dozen people clicking it absentmindedly during tests still brings a pang of nostalgia.

    • @EyeToob
      @EyeToob 5 місяців тому

      I'm holding my Click Eraser right now as I type and remember using them in the late 80s also.
      I love them 'cuz I kept wearing down the regular erasers on my pencils and I did not like carrying the block eraser (even though the white plastic version works really well)

  • @LincolnWorld
    @LincolnWorld 6 місяців тому +8

    I am always amazed by how often Adam ends up talking about something I've recently been deep diving into myself.
    The week before the original video about mechanical pencils, I got on a kick of designing and making my own. I also ordered a bunch of what are considered the top ones out there. It is a much more interesting subject than I think a lot of people would assume.

  • @dralbora
    @dralbora 6 місяців тому +4

    Had a great team of DJs in Houston in the 1980s (Lee Jolly and Chuck Shramek) that referred to their listeners as their "Vast and unpaid research department." Your fans are even MORE dedicated!!! And love that you share the treasure trove of love and info with us!

  • @ImaginarySusan
    @ImaginarySusan 6 місяців тому +7

    I've been a new fan since my 26 yo son showed me your Papermate Sharpwriter vid a few weeks ago! He's been your following you since his childhood.
    I just shared this vid with him this morning already.
    Thanks Adam for the follow-up video! XO
    Funny how a pencil obsession can bond people! ✏️♥️🌞🙏

  • @AlexMusayev
    @AlexMusayev 6 місяців тому +4

    It is really nice to see the community response. Feels very heartwarming :)
    I'd like to add my 2¢: I do recommend Pentel Graphgear 1000, a solid mechanical pencil that is one of my favorites. It's got a sturdy metal body and a comfy grip, that feels right in your hand.
    The cool thing is the tip retracts when you pull the clip-perfect for slipping into your pocket without damaging the lead. Super precise and great for detailed work, it's durable and reliable for both writing and drawing.

    • @TomSlider
      @TomSlider 6 місяців тому +1

      Another vote for the GG1000!

  • @johnderoy916
    @johnderoy916 6 місяців тому +22

    I absolutely love those white erasers in the click holder - always makes a nice clean erase

    • @1pcfred
      @1pcfred 6 місяців тому +1

      Those erasers also fit into electric drafting erasers.

  • @bobholtzmann
    @bobholtzmann 6 місяців тому +18

    Ever since I learned how to change the .7mm lead in a Sharpwriter (via a YT video), I've always re-used my pencils instead of throwing them away. The trickiest part of replacing them is the lead holder that feeds through the steel coil. It's a plastic hollow tube that holds the 7mm lead by friction. Cleaning chunks of the old lead inside the tube can be done by poking the insides with a sewing pin.

    • @simonilett998
      @simonilett998 6 місяців тому +8

      Are these sold as disposable?
      I'm used to the Pacer mechanical pencils from decades ago.
      We just bought a packet of replacement leads, and you put a couple of new leads into the storage tube inside by removing the eraser/pocket clip cap/push button end, then you were set for months, when one lead wore out you just click click click and the next one would feed into the tip and push the left over short piece of the old lead out automatically.

    • @bobholtzmann
      @bobholtzmann 6 місяців тому

      @@simonilett998 Since the Sharpwriter can feed only one pencil lead, its intended use was ended when the twist tip no longer feeds. I've used the multi-lead pencils, but don't like to rely on one pencil that can easily be misplaced.

    • @simonilett998
      @simonilett998 6 місяців тому +3

      @@bobholtzmann Ok, I think I understand, but I'm not familiar with the 'twist tip'.
      When the lead in the ones I've used got a too short to feed, you could just keep clicking until the new lead pushed the short left over piece out, or at the very least you could pull the left over piece out and by continuing to click it would just feed the new one through after that.
      Even in the worst case scenario as you mentioned, you could feed a new lead in from the tip, just by holding the button down it would release the grips so a new lead could be carefully slipped in through the tip, then away you go again.
      Some of the Papermate Pacers I've used also had a small wire/needle fitted inside the clicker button/eraser end specially for clearing the short or broken pieces of lead out if the tip, by pushing the top of the plastic inner tube to release the tip grip, then feed the needle/wire into the tip and retrieve the broken piece from the inner plastic tube.

    • @monotech20.14
      @monotech20.14 Місяць тому

      What? You didn't know how to change lead?

    • @monotech20.14
      @monotech20.14 Місяць тому

      @@simonilett998 No.

  • @lamonszorro
    @lamonszorro 6 місяців тому +17

    I always press very hard on my pencils so 0.9mm leads have become a must for me in order to not break them all the time. But I'm a lefty so writing very dark smudges the whole page. My solution has been 0.9mm 2H leads! With this I can press as hard as I want, and the text is not so dark that my left palm would smudge it all over the page! The ability to customize your pencil and leads setup to suit your every needs is so satisfying :)

    • @jonanderson5137
      @jonanderson5137 6 місяців тому +1

      I found and now prefer 2mm pencils. Good for paperwork and okay on a construction site. All steel construction too. Downside, won't sit in your ear like a #2, too heavy. Carpenters pencils are okay, oversized round pencils are nearly useless.

    • @patrickharyett694
      @patrickharyett694 6 місяців тому

      ​@@jonanderson5137 have been using 2mm Staedtler 4H pencils since the 90s

  • @spacehonky6315
    @spacehonky6315 6 місяців тому +4

    Never in my life have i seen so many pencil dorks all in one place! I love it😁

  • @BrendanFalkowski
    @BrendanFalkowski 18 днів тому

    You inspired me to recover the pencil of my youth. Just bought the last four NOS of the Pentel P225 on Etsy. I lost mine over 20 years ago at school, and have missed it ever since. Thin, round, and tapered straight to the tip with virtually no grip or knurling. Just a few tight rings above the cone. Perfection.

  • @adamnienke3633
    @adamnienke3633 Місяць тому

    Man I just love your videos. Thanks for being here.

  • @alecjahn
    @alecjahn 6 місяців тому +39

    One thing about having an ugly pencil is you're way less likely to lose it on your workbench. I used to carry around a gaudy kid's pencil in my tool bag (contractor stuff) and it lasted longer than any other writing utensil I owned at the time. Nobody would accidentally steal it and I could spot it from a mile away under any pile of tools/debris.

    • @richarddavies5674
      @richarddavies5674 6 місяців тому +3

      That is an interesting method. I might try it

  • @mugglemom9135
    @mugglemom9135 6 місяців тому +5

    Love the rabbit hole that Adam is taking us down with his pencils! I had to laugh, though, at the irony of Adam's opinion of the uninterestingly-colored click erasers as he holds them in front of his shirt which sports the exact same color scheme (8:49). 😂

  • @kathrynmoore4071
    @kathrynmoore4071 6 місяців тому +168

    I got you 12 boxes of the original coming, raided all my stores, and they’re on the way:)

    • @brockgan8941
      @brockgan8941 6 місяців тому +53

      Dude is going to be set for life

    • @tested
      @tested  6 місяців тому +96

      !!!!!

    • @KasumiRieko
      @KasumiRieko 6 місяців тому +20

      Can't wait for a 3rd vid on pencils! :)

    • @maladyofdeath
      @maladyofdeath 6 місяців тому +13

      He's going to be the largest holder in the world soon of the OG pencil.

    • @CoPoint
      @CoPoint 6 місяців тому +2

      I can see it coming: by the time he's gotten through all of his collection of those, in a few decades or so 😉, the case plastic will probably have gone brittle on the last ones 😁...

  • @Elaiden
    @Elaiden Місяць тому

    Adam is quickly turning into a modern mixture of Mr. Rogers, Bob Ross and Steve Irwin. Always true to yourself but very mindful of showing sincere appreciation. Also, I can't get enough of watching you geek out over seemingly small details. I love it.

  • @FactsAndEvidence
    @FactsAndEvidence 2 місяці тому

    It’s all pencil saga has been growing and I do. I’m glad to be a part of this town and community of pencil lovers.

  • @emobean
    @emobean 6 місяців тому

    As another sharpwriter fan and a self dubbed stationary enthusiast the anguish I felt seeing the change is something I know too well. Makes me happy seeing such and empathetic and warm response

  • @RobBulmahn
    @RobBulmahn 6 місяців тому +7

    I don't have as much need for a pencil these days, but in college I was partial to the Pentel Graph Gear 1000. Somewhat more expensive, but a lovely machined aluminum body. I'm not prone to losing pencils, so I was happy to spend a little more. My go-to was the 0.3mm in particular, which can allow for some astounding density in packing in information (and annoying the heck out of some old professors).
    I was never a fan of the click-style erasers, but I did manage to find one that was a much finer eraser. That was SO much nicer when cleaning up engineering drawings where larger erasers would simply wipe out way too much.

  • @justcasris6991
    @justcasris6991 5 місяців тому +1

    02:45 oh my god, the blue painters tape! i always have a roll of that stuff on hand for everything, it is my tape of choice and i love to see another appreciator

  • @berserkirclaws107
    @berserkirclaws107 6 місяців тому +1

    Not everyone gets those obsessional with video about pencils, but many of us can relate to Adam. We all have those special items - things we can't live without. If anything happened to them, we'd go to great lengths to find an identical replacement.

  • @graefx
    @graefx 6 місяців тому +5

    I grew up on the zebra mechanical pencil. I still remember regular trips to Office Max to get a replacement when I inevitably lost it. My father always used the Pentle Sharp. I got started using the Pentel Twist. I used 0.7mm HB, he liked 0.5mm B or 2B.
    These days I most reach for a 0.3mm Pentel GraphGear with F lead. Half the reason is because the 0.3mm is a wonderful retro brown. It's wild to me how much variation and range there is in finding something that works for you with something as a simple workhorse as a pencil. I've always liked the click eraser. I think one of my art teachers required us to buy that and it's been a standard part of my kit.
    I will say I did drift away from lead with notes writing. I had a teacher who said in the field, ink was better because it was more stable and he pulled out some 10+ year old notes he had taken that were still clear as day to read and one he had dropped in a creek.

    • @Blutzen
      @Blutzen 6 місяців тому

      Yeah, there are definitely pros and cons for pencil vs pen, and situations where I'll reach for one over the other. My typical go-to is actually a Pilot G2 in 0.38mm; I just love how reliable the gel ink is to start writing _immediately_ when I put pen to paper, and like finer tips. My only issue with them is I was looking for something a little bit more substantial and weighty than the cheap disposable plastic pens, so I bought an all-metal pen body that takes the Pilot cartridges as replacement ink and I couldn't be happier.

    • @ariseira_
      @ariseira_ Місяць тому

      I loveeee my Zebra, been using it since 2008 or so. I recently traveled to Japan and they still make it / sell it there, the exact same as 15 year ago

  • @mrawood1
    @mrawood1 6 місяців тому +1

    It shows how much Mr Savage has had such a positive influence on this generation. He gripes about the lack of availability of his favorite pencil, and his fans answered the call.

  • @redmoonmountain
    @redmoonmountain 6 місяців тому +1

    Won't you be my neighbor... Love everything you do Adam. Thank you for all of the heart felt and incitefull videos.

  • @injuhneer
    @injuhneer 6 місяців тому +1

    I can appreciate the preference. I have a set of Pentel pencils (0.3,0.5,0.7) my father gave to me as gift on my 12th birthday shortly after starting the first shop/technical drawing class I took. I am now 60 and those pencils have been in use for 48 years. Same leads. Same white vinyl erasers. Enjoy your new stash.

  • @halfpolecat278
    @halfpolecat278 6 місяців тому +48

    I swear to god, if i get back to campus this fall and all the sharpwriters are gone, i know who to blame. :/

    • @pvic6959
      @pvic6959 6 місяців тому

      pls update me lol

  • @ThatVideoGuyTom
    @ThatVideoGuyTom 6 місяців тому

    Your fans love you Adam. Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts.

  • @thelawonphotography
    @thelawonphotography 7 днів тому

    I just love your video Adam, you really brighten my day...I too love pencils, from a very young age I understood pencils......your channel is a constant inspiration...!!

  • @brianonley
    @brianonley 6 місяців тому +4

    While the entire world is positioning for deep space exploration contracts, Adam is fixating on mechanical pencils. It's the little things. My hero :)

  • @boombox8118
    @boombox8118 6 місяців тому +6

    As a massive mechanical pencil nerd this brings me so much joy

  • @SmartLumens
    @SmartLumens 6 місяців тому

    Thanks!

  • @semegraph
    @semegraph 6 місяців тому

    I love that you say "Aesthetically, I don't think these colors are very interesting." And then the camera cuts to a shot of your shirt behind them in a what would be a nearly identical color palette, if you were to set them next to one of your favorite pencils.

  • @Newt2799
    @Newt2799 6 місяців тому +9

    My favorite mechanical pencil is one that I saw on Better Call Saul of all things lol. It’s the same pencil used by the German architect guy when he’s first introduced. I had to pause the scene and zoom in to see the brand.
    And the pencil he’s using is actually a real German drafting pencil by a company called rOtring. The one the actor used was silver with 0.7 mm graphite, but I got the a black version with 0.5 mm graphite because that’s what I prefer.
    It’s a weighty metal pencil with a precise tip, metal clip, metal grip, and doesn’t roll. One of my most prized possessions.

    • @coolbugfacts1234
      @coolbugfacts1234 6 місяців тому +2

      +1 for rotring, they feel great to write with, I have a 600 and it's become my most used writing tool by far, I don't really use my fountain pens anymore. I have an 800 on the way, and both are 0.5, their leads can take a little bit more force than other brands, so I very rarely break a lead.
      The knurling feels great, if you use a lateral tripod where the pen rests on the side of your middle finger it can start to rub if you're writing for like over four hours, but it's almost never an issue in my experience. It's very fine knurling, not very aggressive at all.

    • @Newt2799
      @Newt2799 6 місяців тому +2

      @@coolbugfacts1234 I have a 600 too I LOVE it! That’s awesome to know there’s other people out there that feel the same way I do lol. I agree about the pressure too.
      Thank you for the tip and I hope you enjoy your 800

    • @Blutzen
      @Blutzen 6 місяців тому +1

      I know that I would love to spend a little extra for a nice and weighty all-metal pencil, and now that you've given the tip I'll definitely be looking into them, but for Adam's use case (which he mentioned in the previous video) of being a serial pencil-loser so needing a cheap disposable one that he doesn't mind losing once a week it would get terribly expensive! 😄

  • @MyDogCarla
    @MyDogCarla 6 місяців тому +4

    I love the Pentel Twist Erase III. Great mechanical pencil with a fantastic eraser.

  • @fr0gg0264
    @fr0gg0264 6 місяців тому +4

    Now we need to go in depth on Adam's full collection! Give us more!

  • @FuManchu5ltr
    @FuManchu5ltr 6 місяців тому +5

    The first video inspired me to delve into my collection of mechanical pencils. I went into r/mechanicalpencils. I learned so much. I went and bought some new ones. The Pentel retro Graphgear 500 set. I love them!
    They were recommended. So happy. Good internals. I found the colours interesting to me.

    • @yeezet4592
      @yeezet4592 5 місяців тому +1

      I loooove the gg 500. You can find them in 12 packs for like 3 bucks per.

  • @drewtaylor6919
    @drewtaylor6919 6 місяців тому +7

    The unmatched blues. "That makes me crazy!" 😂 Totally fair!

  • @debrascott8775
    @debrascott8775 5 місяців тому

    Came here directly from the other video. This was fun and so thoughtful and caring from the fans.

  • @kousakasan7882
    @kousakasan7882 6 місяців тому +2

    I have always had a preference for my Staedtler mechanical pencil with barrel sharpener.
    In college I learned the art of rotating and angling the pencil to maintain a sharp line between sharpenings. That gave me every possible line weight.

  • @marklovelace297
    @marklovelace297 6 місяців тому

    Man, I really struck a chord with that pencil comment, luv it, and luv your content as well Adam! Even the non-pencil content!

  • @flyingardilla143
    @flyingardilla143 6 місяців тому +5

    I really like the 0.9 mm pencils for doing larger metal working and carpentry work. The thick lead stands up well to the roughish work.

  • @mccaine1
    @mccaine1 6 місяців тому +8

    Pentel's color schemes are coded to their lead sizes. Brown for 0.3mm, black for 0.5mm, blue for 0.7mm, and yellow for 0.9mm lead diameters...

    • @TomSlider
      @TomSlider 6 місяців тому +1

      And green for the 0.4 mm size.

  • @bethortman27
    @bethortman27 5 місяців тому

    I am so into this rabbit hole and have my fav pencils for different art needs. All that said for your new erasers, you can get a clutch pencil (Kaweco makes a nice aluminum one), replace the lead and use it for the eraser. I think the clutch size should be 3.2mm. Gives you a nice form factor, always have the white eraser with you, and the Kaweco is a nice travel size. (Also, Japanese white erasers are so good, esp on thicker sketchbook paper and watercolor paper). Thanks for sharing, the right tools are EVERYTHING. And figuring out the right tools is SECOND everything.

  • @TSGEnt
    @TSGEnt 6 місяців тому +1

    Alas, all my sources for this pencil have gone to the new version. So glad you now have a 10 year supply of the old versions.

  • @patrickdiehl6813
    @patrickdiehl6813 6 місяців тому +3

    Of all the mechanical pencils I have used throughout life my favorite is by far the Zebra 301 with the 0.5mm lead. The eraser is substandard but I use a standalone eraser anyway. Neat video 👍

  • @deanallenjones
    @deanallenjones 6 місяців тому +16

    We need to make "Really Nice Town" a place and make Adam the mayor

  • @bobtherat99
    @bobtherat99 6 місяців тому

    Thank You for this. You have brought back so many good memories. In high school, in the late sixties, I had a mechanical pencil that I loved. It was clear read with a metal clip. It twisted instead of clicked. I didn't like the click ones because I would always click out too much lead and it would immediately break. I also had a Sheaffer ink pen with the lever fill mechanism. Someone later gave me a Mount Blanc but I still prefer the Sheaffer. In my briefcase {It was the 60's and everyone had a briefcase.} I had a plethora of erasers. My favorite was a clear red vinyl one that was scented. I also had the obligatory drafting set. But the crowning glory was that I had the hot whammy computer in a leather holster on my belt. It was made of white acetate and bamboo. I still have it.

  • @charlesblithfield6182
    @charlesblithfield6182 6 місяців тому +2

    Can totally relate with over 20 different mech pencils. Settled on the Pentel Graphgear 1000 Mechanical Drafting Pencil 0.3mm. It’s cheap and precise. Choice of lead matters a lot too.

  • @rrh7210
    @rrh7210 6 місяців тому +4

    I really appreciated the Mr Roger’s style outro.

  • @tompollockjr144
    @tompollockjr144 6 місяців тому +8

    I was always partial to the black Pentel 0.5 you get at Staples. Put so much mileage on those during my years as an animator.

    • @radellaf
      @radellaf 4 місяці тому +1

      P205? "Pentel Sharp", yes, Those are some of the toughest. I don't love the long lead sleeve, unless I'm doing something with templates. They've recently come out with metallic and other colors (maybe just 0.7 tho)

    • @boperadotto8703
      @boperadotto8703 Місяць тому

      @@radellaf The barrels of the new metallic colored P207s aren't nearly as sturdy in my experience, sadly. Feels like the plastic is thinner. I do know the P205s come in at least a maroon and a navy blue, along with the original back. All of those are solid.

    • @radellaf
      @radellaf Місяць тому

      @@boperadotto8703 Interesting. I've never had any mech pencil barrel crack, ever, so doubt it'll prove to be a problem... but good to know. The metallic finish is definitely easier to damage the appearance of, for sure. I saw some 3rd party individually crafted P20x barrels at the last pen show. Those seem cool.

  • @craigchingren-hamann9700
    @craigchingren-hamann9700 6 місяців тому

    Been watching you from Myth Busters to here and always love and appreciate what you have to say about topics around the shop. My 2 favorite pencils are the Rotting 800 and the Pentel GraphGesr 1000...obviously I'd spring for all Rotring if it made money sense... But the Pentel is a great sub. Thanks for all of your contributions to the world of science and industry... You've made shop fun again!

  • @kwedl
    @kwedl 6 місяців тому +3

    As others have mentioned already i also highly recommend the Graphgear 1000 for really good built quality and nice grip and the Uni Kuru Toga for the rotating lead and retractable tip.
    Been using both of them for years.

  • @danielstig2536
    @danielstig2536 6 місяців тому

    un saludo Adan, ver tus videos es volver a mi infancia, que genial y autentico eres, siempre me has inspirado

  • @withered_wheat
    @withered_wheat 2 місяці тому

    Another favorite type of content i enjoy watching. I can go on and on abt my favorite pencils and pens

  • @robertdufour2456
    @robertdufour2456 6 місяців тому

    Wow! This is fun!
    You have touched so many lives!

  • @sapthuran9492
    @sapthuran9492 6 місяців тому

    I went down a pencil rabbit hole a while ago too and came out preferring the Staedtler Mars 780 lead holder for more precise woodworking. I also like Pentel Sharps mechanical pencils for paper and I can always use carpentry pencils for when you don't need to be super precise and just need to mark soft woods without the tip breaking. This proves that to the right types of people, almost anything can be much more interesting than it rightly should be.

  • @vincentbanksjr.7509
    @vincentbanksjr.7509 6 місяців тому +1

    We appreciate you as well always great advice and information thanks for everything

  • @HickLif3
    @HickLif3 Місяць тому +1

    The rabbit hole of pencils is 2 fold, the implement itself and the accompanying led and the different hardnesses and colors associated with

  • @Nick-jf1il
    @Nick-jf1il 6 місяців тому

    Adam, I just 3d printed my first PEN. I get to play around with the spring types, and find a good thickness. There HAS to be a mechanical pencil enthusiast group 3d printing and sourcing parts for the PERFECT pencil!

  • @Wuzzup129
    @Wuzzup129 6 місяців тому +6

    Sharplet 2 comes in different colors, so if blue and black don't do it for you, they got you covered.

  • @HammerAnvil-zf4hb
    @HammerAnvil-zf4hb 6 місяців тому

    You have no idea how much watching you from mythbusters to today has been a good part of my life 💗

  • @Felix.Garcia
    @Felix.Garcia 6 місяців тому +6

    For shop I use the Graph gear 1000 by Pentel.
    For office I use Uni KuraToga .
    Both are Japanese pencils. Best ever.

    • @TomSlider
      @TomSlider 6 місяців тому +1

      I love the GG1000! I've got all of lead sizes! Love that model!!

  • @garthor
    @garthor 6 місяців тому

    I love transparent plastic things, because you can see their inner workings without having to take the whole thing apart. Plus it creates a rad effect.

  • @Xmvw2X
    @Xmvw2X 6 місяців тому +1

    I had been a big pencil person as a kid and through part of college. Part way through college and into my career, I have largely stuck with pens and welcome the permanence of error in my righting. But as a pencil user back in the day, my favorite has generally been Pentel Twist Erase series. They've changed bit over time, and I have not used some of the modern versions. The key benefit is a large twist out eraser. It makes the product significantly more functional as an endurance tool. They have a few different styles based on how you prefer to actuate the lead. There was an older design I slightly preferred, but even the old one I've probably had for a decade is still one of their standard offerings today.

    • @radellaf
      @radellaf 4 місяці тому

      I could never understand why the eraser on the twist-erase was different (I'd say not as good) as the clic-erase erasers. I used the Sanford Logo IV, very similar, metal parts and a softer eraser. Long discontinued.

  • @virtuous-sloth
    @virtuous-sloth 6 місяців тому

    Undergraduate physics, note-taking, prof writing on chalkboard like a machine, I have my Staedtler mechanical pencil and eraser, writing furiously. Their erasers are things of beauty, like butter!

  • @yolosubmarine
    @yolosubmarine 6 місяців тому

    I'm a Kuro Toga guy. Every time you lift it from the paper it clocks around several degrees, so it creates a uniform lead. Its glorious.

  • @SweetTGuitars
    @SweetTGuitars 6 місяців тому +2

    Only one pencil needed. Pentel Graphgear 1000. The clip design is one of the best features and will not break! Also the retractable lead tube keeps the lead from snapping off. Super comfortable grip and nice balance! The Otho Super Promecha Pro is also a great pencil!! My 2 cents!✌️&💙

  • @CosminNeagu
    @CosminNeagu 5 місяців тому

    I had a Faber Castell with a very thick lead and I bought separately a sharpner for it. The best mech pencil I had. There was a BIC pencil that looked kinda cool that spun and ejected a bit of lead as you pressed the pen on the paper so never ran out while drawing. I had lots and I loved them all, even giving up the regular pencils for mechs to draw comics and studies. The Tombows and Castells are the best in the wood category. Blackwings are virtually impossible to find in Europe and are crazy expensive. The tool doesn't matter very much beyond a point regardless of the features.

  • @ileolai
    @ileolai 6 місяців тому

    this ongoing pencil series makes me feel so validated because i, too, need my pencils to be aesthetically pleasing

  • @mediumdeli-squishis
    @mediumdeli-squishis 6 місяців тому

    The non-stops come in green, pink, blue and green in the UK if I remember right. They gave me just the boost I needed while studying my 2nd’s/Chief Engineers exam, can’t believe people are still doing exams using traditional pencils but each to their own.

  • @Joepacker
    @Joepacker 6 місяців тому +2

    Still don't understand how you can lose so many mechanical pencils. I've had the same one for 45 years still works.

    • @otofoto
      @otofoto 6 місяців тому

      Not eco friendly at all. Should use wooden one.

  • @speedemon81
    @speedemon81 6 місяців тому +10

    And now we go into the rabbit hole of mechanical pencils

  • @frankdangelo5828
    @frankdangelo5828 5 місяців тому

    Between two videos, I've spent 30ish minutes watching Adam talk about pencils.... And I'm good with it.

  • @PtrOBrn
    @PtrOBrn 6 місяців тому +1

    I bought a bunch of 2.0 mm mechanical pencils from amazon for use in my wood working... and now for 2nd and 4th grade homework for the kids. Thick lead to prevent snapping and when i need accurate cut measurements that is what the marking knife is for.

    • @jonanderson5137
      @jonanderson5137 6 місяців тому

      A link would be good, I really enjoy my 2mm lead holders. An actual 2mm mechanical pencil would be great!

  • @ArtByLukeW
    @ArtByLukeW 6 місяців тому

    We've all felt the pain of having a favorite product get cheapened or discontinued. Plus we love you like an eccentric uncle so of course we're going to try and help. This video game me a warm fuzzy.

  • @JordanBoe
    @JordanBoe 6 місяців тому +2

    I carry a Pentel Graphgear 500 and one of those click erasers in my bag because I do a lot of math and I like how densely I can write. I've had the same pencil since high-school!

  • @MortimerSugarloaf
    @MortimerSugarloaf 6 місяців тому +9

    Pentel graphgear 1000 is the way. Not cheap, but they're worth every cent.

    • @nosideup21
      @nosideup21 6 місяців тому

      The pentel graphgear 500 got me through 3 years of design school and I’m still using it

  • @TheGreatChrisB
    @TheGreatChrisB 6 місяців тому +2

    Pentel GraphGear 1000 Automatic Drafting Pencil is what I use. I like the retractability

  • @kmoecub
    @kmoecub 6 місяців тому

    My favorite is the Niji Grip 2000; a refillable retractable pencil of high quality. I bought one in 1985, and used it until it was very worn. I was searching for a replacement for 15 years, and stumbled on an Ebay listing from a gentleman in Japan who had found a case of them at a liquidation sale of some sort (maybe an estate sale). They have been out of production for over 20 years. I was fortunate enough to be able to buy one at a reasonable price. It was in as-new condition, and makes me very happy when I draw out a new project.

  • @natalietsang
    @natalietsang 6 місяців тому

    My favourite pencil is the Pentel P209. It’s a 0.9mm lead but as a maker I love the thickness of a lead. I doesn’t snap easily and it’s got a great feel. Plus it’s also the mustard “orange/yellow” colour. Highly recommend.

  • @micknightmare3
    @micknightmare3 6 місяців тому +2

    I'm super invested in this pencil series 😮 boring back orange 🍊 one! And that soft wood pencil ✏️

  • @affluentforager5704
    @affluentforager5704 Місяць тому

    yes i had the neon clear ones as a kid! i loooooved them!! wish i still had them. i thought they were cool bc you can see the inner workings of the pencil.

  • @adityasanthanam1945
    @adityasanthanam1945 6 місяців тому

    I quite like the Pentel Sharp Kerry, as it has a cap to prevent lead breakage, feels nice with a metal construction, and looks great.