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Post by flatline on Dec 20, 2014 18:54:35 GMT -8
Until recently, I've always assumed that if I found a pencil that I like and buy another one, it will feel like the first. But then I bought a 2-pack of General Kimberly HB pencils where one pencil was exactly what I wanted and the other pencil had lead that felt entirely different (and relatively awful). In the same trip I bought a 2-pack of the 2B and they both feel the same, so I don't really know if I was just really unlucky with my HB's or if it's normal for there to be noticeable lead variation between Kimberly pencils of the same rating.
I don't have many multiples of pencils to experiment with, but I do have some:
2 x Koh-I-Noor Toison HB: both feel the same
2 x Koh-I-Noor Toison 2B: both feel the same
2 x General Kimberly HB: one feels nice, one feels pretty bad
2 x General Kimberly 2B: both feel the same
12 x Palomino Blackwing 602 (have only sharpened 3): so far, they all feel the same
2 x Palomino Orange HB: both feel the same
8 x Mirado Black Warrior: all feel about the same, but since this is a cheaper tier pencil, I think I'd expect more variation
Also, in 2mm leads:
6 x Uni HB 2mm lead: all feel identical
6 x Uni B 2mm lead: all feel identical
3 x Staedtler H: all feel identical
3 x Staedtler 2H: all feel identical
So far, the Kimberly HB is the only pencil where I've noticed variation between identically marked pencils.
I'm particularly interested in the consistency of the Palomino Orange pencils since I don't really like the HB, but I do really like the B. There's a surprising difference in feel between the HB and B which makes me worry that the B that I have might be an outlier which would set me up for disappointment if I purchased a dozen.
So what do you guys think, have I simply been unlucky with the Kimberly HBs that I have, or did I have a lucky streak with the other pencils that I own?
--flatline
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Post by rr4u on Dec 21, 2014 8:40:21 GMT -8
A fluke or (in the worst case scenario) a quality control issue. It happens to the best, I wouldn't be worried about that. Kimberley is a well reputed brand and all I've read seems to support it. When they got out, I bought a couple HB Faber-Castell Grip 2001 pencils to try. Shortly after the black dots started to melt making the pencils unusable! later I found out that a manufacture defect ocurred on the first batches. Still, that dreadful experience didn't kept me away from them. I keep buy and use them regularly, with great pleasure I must add. I think they are wonderful pencils, I kept a faulty one though ...just as a souvenir!  R. |
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Post by flatline on Dec 21, 2014 19:11:06 GMT -8
I'm very pleased to hear that.
The Kimberly is the only locally available pencil that I've really liked that I can get without purchasing a whole set of assorted hardnesses. And at about $1 per pencil, it's price competitive with the Palomino Orange (which is the pencil I'd likely purchase if, for some reason, I decided I didn't want to pay $20/dozen for the Hi-Uni or Blackwing).
--flatline
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Post by rr4u on Dec 22, 2014 3:35:04 GMT -8
I'm very pleased to hear that. The Kimberly is the only locally available pencil that I've really liked that I can get without purchasing a whole set of assorted hardnesses. And at about $1 per pencil, it's price competitive with the Palomino Orange (which is the pencil I'd likely purchase if, for some reason, I decided I didn't want to pay $20/dozen for the Hi-Uni or Blackwing). --flatline Around here I can buy single units of Staedtler Lumographs, Faber-Castel 9000's, Lyra Rembrandt Art Design 669's, Derwent Graphics and Koh-I-Noor 1500's. Full ranges available. Lumographs are really easy to find, I know of at least 3 places that sell them in bulk. They can also be found in tins, sets of 6, 12 and 19 (full range +3 extra pencils). Also, when I said Kimberbly is a reputed brand (It is) I should have said the same about General Pencil Co, the company who makes them. So far I've read only good things about their products. If they were locally available I would be a costumer. R. |
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Post by flatline on Dec 22, 2014 5:11:27 GMT -8
I can get Lumographs in tins, but then I get a bunch of hardnesses that aren't useful for writing. If I could get Lumographs singly or in pairs like I can the Koh-I-Noor and General Kimberly, I'd be set because I love the Lumographs.
Michael's has Derwent pencils for about $3 ($2.69?) each, but their selection was pretty picked over when I looked at it so I didn't purchase any. Are Derwent pencils worth going back for? I've read mixed reviews of them on-line...
--flatline
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Post by rr4u on Dec 22, 2014 6:33:37 GMT -8
I can get Lumographs in tins, but then I get a bunch of hardnesses that aren't useful for writing. If I could get Lumographs singly or in pairs like I can the Koh-I-Noor and General Kimberly, I'd be set because I love the Lumographs. Michael's has Derwent pencils for about $3 ($2.69?) each, but their selection was pretty picked over when I looked at it so I didn't purchase any. Are Derwent pencils worth going back for? I've read mixed reviews of them on-line... --flatline Only tried Derwent Graphics in HB and B, I like them ...but I've also read a few mixed reviews on them. I've settled with Lumographs and 9000's, I have a pretty good stash of both, enough for a few years. Lumographs are my workhorses, awesome pencils! R. |
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Post by flatline on Dec 23, 2014 9:08:45 GMT -8
I guess it doesn't really matter if the pencils are available locally. Now that I know which pencils I like, I'll probably end up ordering them on-line by the dozen once my current stash is consumed.
If I were to order a dozen of something today, it would probably be one of the following:
Hi-Uni HB
Palomino Orange B
Staedtler Lumograph HB, B, or 2B
If I switch to other paper, these preferences may change which is why I'm not going to order a dozen of anything just yet.
--flatline
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Post by rr4u on Dec 23, 2014 18:42:54 GMT -8
"I guess it doesn't really matter if the pencils are available locally. Now that I know which pencils I like, I'll probably end up ordering them on-line by the dozen once my current stash is consumed." - On the other hand ...It happened to me a couple of times not being able to keep up with a scheduled delivery of my work because suddenly I run out of materials. I've also had to refuse a couple commissions because the schedule was so tight that I had no time to get the stuff I needed to work. To me is very important to have immediate access to some items. Luckily there are a couple good art stores in town and a few other places that also sell some stuff. I've learned that it pays off to keep a stash of some basic things like watercolors, oil and acrylics, colored pencils, paper and so on. I ended up with a small studio at home with enough room to work on some large formats. "If I switch to other paper..." - Ah, paper, at last. It does make all the difference! Definitely a subject for other threads. For now, I say, Moleskine (yes it's amazingly good for graphite!!!) and Steinbach 210gsm drawing paper (my favorite).  R. |
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Post by flatline on Dec 23, 2014 20:50:58 GMT -8
I'll start a thread on writing paper once I have a chance to organize my thoughts a bit.
--flatline
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Post by DerekVerbrugge on Dec 27, 2014 5:32:02 GMT -8
I can get Lumographs in tins, but then I get a bunch of hardnesses that aren't useful for writing. If I could get Lumographs singly or in pairs like I can the Koh-I-Noor and General Kimberly, I'd be set because I love the Lumographs. Michael's has Derwent pencils for about $3 ($2.69?) each, but their selection was pretty picked over when I looked at it so I didn't purchase any. Are Derwent pencils worth going back for? I've read mixed reviews of them on-line... --flatline I've used many Derwents in nearly every degree available. Derwent is an English brand and is the modern descendant of Cumberland. Cumberland is usually credited with making the first pencils. Derwents are usually very waxy and smooth writers. They are made with very soft wood that often sharpens easily. Many times they sharpen inconsistently and end up with mucked up points. They are often off by a degree or two. I've gotten 7Bs that write like 4Bs. I use them when I'm bored and want to liven up my writing experience with some fiddling and frustration. Derwents are the only pencil I consider both terrible and worthy of respect at the same time. |
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Post by flatline on Dec 27, 2014 7:27:37 GMT -8
I can get Lumographs in tins, but then I get a bunch of hardnesses that aren't useful for writing. If I could get Lumographs singly or in pairs like I can the Koh-I-Noor and General Kimberly, I'd be set because I love the Lumographs. Michael's has Derwent pencils for about $3 ($2.69?) each, but their selection was pretty picked over when I looked at it so I didn't purchase any. Are Derwent pencils worth going back for? I've read mixed reviews of them on-line... --flatline I've used many Derwents in nearly every degree available. Derwent is an English brand and is the modern descendant of Cumberland. Cumberland is usually credited with making the first pencils. Derwents are usually very waxy and smooth writers. They are made with very soft wood that often sharpens easily. Many times they sharpen inconsistently and end up with mucked up points. They are often off by a degree or two. I've gotten 7Bs that write like 4Bs. I use them when I'm bored and want to liven up my writing experience with some fiddling and frustration. Derwents are the only pencil I consider both terrible and worthy of respect at the same time. Hmm...in that case I may get one the next time I have a chance just out of curiosity. --flatline |
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