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The Golden Age of Japanese Pencils (2022)

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Re: The Golden Age of Japanese Pencils (2022)

#31

Post by MrMcCall »

I know this post is about old-school wooden pencils, but, as a dedicated pencil pusher, I've got to tip my hat to my favorite pencil for the past, at least, 12 years: the Pentel Twist-Erase III mechanical pencils, in 0.5 and 0.7 (they also have a 0.9, but I don't use those).

The key to these outstanding pencils is the perfectly fat eraser that is over an inch long. Its formulation is excellent (neither too hard nor too soft) so it erases superbly and lasts quite a time, and it has refills in packs of three that can sometimes be found in Office DepotMax.

I must also suggest a lead softness/hardness of 2B, instead of the normal "Number 2 pencil lead" that is standard for test taking here in America. It glides onto the paper more smoothly and yet erases easily and mostly completely.

Re: The Golden Age of Japanese Pencils (2022)

#32

Post by tannhaeuser »

nadir_ishiguro wrote: post #10
bayindirh wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They are very good at higher end paper, pencils and erasers. Their gel and roller pens are mostly unmatched. OTOH, while they're top tier in fountain pens, Germans really equal with them. Lamy, Faber Castell, Diplomat, Kaweco and of course Montblanc make great pens. Pilot & Sailor are not behind them, though. Mitsubishi Pencil bought Lamy so things will get interesting. Inks are the same. Germans and Japanese are hea…

I'm from Germany and personally prefer Japanese fountain pens, but also value our local brands. I took for granted that I could go into any small stationary store and buy a LAMY or Pelikan any time I wanted as a child. "Also, a company in my country started making a paper which rivals Yu-Sari and Tomoe River. I write letters with it, and it's great." Is that available internationally?

Yeah I never came across those Japanese products given the available German brands, of which there's also Staedtler, Faber-Castell, Stabilo, and Rotring, in addition to those already mentioned.

If anything, I had thought Japan were known to produce fine markers/felt-tip pens.

Re: The Golden Age of Japanese Pencils (2022)

#34

Post by buildsjets »

There is an FAA accepted test of paint film hardness that requires special calibrated pencils, available ONLY from Mitsubishi pencil company, in packages of 17 for $224. Each pencil comes with an individual certificate of calibration shows that it meet's it's specified hardness level. The test is ASTM D 3363, "Standard Test Method for Film Hardness by Pencil Test"

https://www.gardco.com/Products/Hardness-Testers/Scratch-Har...

Re: The Golden Age of Japanese Pencils (2022)

#35

Post by luqtas »

bayindirh wrote: post #3

In the age of digital data storage and keyboards, these writing tools do not get the attention and celebration they deserve. There are tools so unique that really changes how you think and how you write. Some of these tools are so timeless and they are irreplaceable. When you acquire one of these tools, and appreciate all the craftsmanship and engineering went into these things, and notice how all blends and becomes…

one literally can raise the same points about a running text-editor and a keyboard with 'Silent Mode/Do Not Disturb' activated, except the timeless argument as we don't have even 200 years of electronic computers... have you ever tried to be productive by sharing letters in a mailling list when brainstorming ideas? /s

and don't come up with research comparing the 2 with biases like participants not even knowing how to touch-type or that variable not even being mentioned

Re: The Golden Age of Japanese Pencils (2022)

#36

Post by MrMcCall »

fallinghawks wrote: post #28

My most treasured tools when I used to draw were Pentel 0.3 sliding sleeve pencils, model PS523. The sleeve let me put a lot of pressure on a very fine lead without breaking. And of course the lead was wonderful to use, very smooth. B was the softest lead available in that diameter, so it was hard to get a really dark black, hence the need for pressure. I've bought a number of mechanical pencils since the model was d…

I guess that the nature of their writing system has either driven both their artistic expressiveness and excellence of their writing accessories, or vice versa, but, regardless, their craftsmanship is outstanding and admirable.

I, too, was a Uniball micro man until I switched to pencils and have been a Pentel Twist-Erase III man for a long time, indeed, with 2B lead instead of America's #2 standard. So smooth, and such a great eraser!

[I also must make my usual recommendation for NHKOnline's videos, where they have many, many shows about traditional Japanese crafts. Our family's favorite is now called "Design Stories", where it used to be "Design Talks Plus". They interview famous Japanese designers of all kinds, including a couple of Manga and many graphic design folks, as well as some stationery shops and Washi paper producers, plus architects and potters. I've only seen a few less than excellent episodes, but they're all good in the least.]

Re: The Golden Age of Japanese Pencils (2022)

#37

Post by internet101010 »

bayindirh wrote: post #6
GuB-42 wrote: post #5

In general, I find Japan to be unmatched when it comes to stationery. Pens, pencils, notebooks, etc... Everything is just better: the simple stuff, like what you can find in "konbini" and "100 yen shops", entire floors in department stores like "Hands", and all the way up to luxury. As you might expect, Japanese brands of stationery are popular worldwide. So it is not surprising that Japan had a golden age of pencils…

They are very good at higher end paper, pencils and erasers. Their gel and roller pens are mostly unmatched. OTOH, while they're top tier in fountain pens, Germans really equal with them. Lamy, Faber Castell, Diplomat, Kaweco and of course Montblanc make great pens. Pilot & Sailor are not behind them, though. Mitsubishi Pencil bought Lamy so things will get interesting. Inks are the same. Germans and Japanese are hea…

I love my Platinum fountain pens far more than the Lamys or other European fountain pens. No matter how many times I try I always go back to the Platinum PTL-5000A, which has been discontinued (thankfully I got a backup).

Re: The Golden Age of Japanese Pencils (2022)

#38

Post by WillAdams »

bayindirh wrote: post #6
GuB-42 wrote: post #5

In general, I find Japan to be unmatched when it comes to stationery. Pens, pencils, notebooks, etc... Everything is just better: the simple stuff, like what you can find in "konbini" and "100 yen shops", entire floors in department stores like "Hands", and all the way up to luxury. As you might expect, Japanese brands of stationery are popular worldwide. So it is not surprising that Japan had a golden age of pencils…

They are very good at higher end paper, pencils and erasers. Their gel and roller pens are mostly unmatched. OTOH, while they're top tier in fountain pens, Germans really equal with them. Lamy, Faber Castell, Diplomat, Kaweco and of course Montblanc make great pens. Pilot & Sailor are not behind them, though. Mitsubishi Pencil bought Lamy so things will get interesting. Inks are the same. Germans and Japanese are hea…

One of the reasons China does well with fountain pens is they nationalized the Parker pen factory at the beginning of the cultural revolution.

Re: The Golden Age of Japanese Pencils (2022)

#39

Post by WalterBright »

I've tried all kinds of pens, and my favorite by a wide margin are the TUL ones. It glides smoothly over the paper, doesn't groove it, no blotchy lines, no dried up ink in the pen problems.

I use a pencil in the car because it always works.

Pencil writing doesn't scan very well, so I don't use it for notes. TUL writing scans delightfully.

Re: The Golden Age of Japanese Pencils (2022)

#40

Post by WillAdams »

blackeyeblitzar wrote: post #16

It’s interesting seeing all the innovative writing products in Japan - feels like a totally different culture. I have to say though, in the age of phones and laptops, it’s hard to make time to write things physically. It also just seems more painful (like for the hands). Still, I appreciate the design and thought that goes into Japanese pencils and pens.

Have you tried a good-quality, light-weight fountain pen?
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