Hey all, welcome back. If you came back to see how I was going to defend pens from the oh so popular mechanical pencils, I’m sorry to say that you’ve come back to another smackdown. Pens schmack, and that’s the end of the story.
Revisiting the previous post, one of the best characteristics of pens are their stability. When you grip that solid, heavy rod in your hand, there’s just a feeling of unprecedented security and reassurance. Nothing — absolutely nothing — can replace that, and it is one of the top reasons that pens still stay on top.
Not only that, but mechanical pencils are simply too far inferior when compared to pens in this aspect. Somehow, they are even weaker than pens in this aspect. The flimsiness of a mechanical pencil is immensely frustrating, and weakness can be spotted by a sharp eye from eraser to lead tip.
When you look closely at the diagram, the thickness of the inner shaft is in sharp contrast to the rest of the utensil. It is exceedingly thin, a little less than half the width of the outside shell itself. Now, you might be saying, “Hey, pens are like that too. What’s your point?” The thing with pens is that the insides ARE just the inner shaft — filled with ink, they are at the very least half the thickness of the outer shell. With mechanical pencils, it is important to remember that even the inner shaft, is in fact, still an outer shell.
Although not displayed, it’s important to remember that mechanical pencils must be filled with lead, 0.5 or 0.7 mm graphite sticks that snap in the wind. This is the flimsiest part of the entire structure, and the primary reason for my hatred towards these poor excuses of writing tools. When writing, the tiny piece of graphite snapping off and rolling into oblivion brings a piece of my heart with it. Terrible, weak, and ineffectual.
Not only that, but mechanical pencils break in parts. Because they’re so complicated and filled with so much useless garbage, they actually fall apart bit by bit, kind of like your life if you use one. First, the clip is going to break. Sure, that’s fine. Just a small piece, and it won’t really affect your writing outside of comfort. What are they even for anyway? So you can clip it onto something? If you tried with that flimsy piece of plastic, it’s going the same way that the graphite sticks do. But, I guess it happens anyway. After the clip snaps off, then eventually the spring mechanism will stop working as well, and then the internal spring dispenser, and the eraser wears down to nothing, leaving you with a worthless stick in your hands. Don’t do this to yourself.
In the end, I guess what I’m trying to say is that pens are just the superior writing utensil in general. Their stability and security is unparalleled, and I find that to be one of the most important things in life. Writing with a pen makes you feel as if you’re cutting through the world, slashing and dashing away all your problems with the jet of ink that flows from your hands like water from the sky. They aren’t flimsy or frail, but rather — strong, elegant, and beautiful.
While I applaud your confidence in the pen and inherent hatred towards the pencil, there is a definite inferiority of the pen that stems from blinded idealism coupled with personal disconnect. I would focus on the environmental sustainability of a wood pencil as opposed to many plastic pens and the pure logistics of operating on a budget, but I’m sure you already know that and have simply decided not to include those aspects. Also, because of its zero gravity, pencils can be used practically anywhere, from in space to underwater. I agree that the smooth ink often from Pilot pens you speak of is satisfying, yet there is a certain disconnect from not exerting full force, one’s momentum, heart, and soul into the writing. A pencil, while a little rough around the edges, is another kind of experience altogether. What kind of utensil one uses often proves their classification as an idealist or a realist. While the bias of rose-colored glasses can may cloud your vision, I urge you to reconsider the benefits and ultimate connection of a pencil (not mechanical, those suck. Ticonderoga ftw).
Hi Nicole! While I understand that you’re projecting this feeling of inferiority onto pens, please understand that it ultimately stems from yourself, as a pencil user. If you read my last blog, this article (https://iew.com/help-support/resources/articles/convert-pens) actually explains the disconnect that you were talking about pretty well — except only in reference to pencils. Pens are the ones that allow you to truly put your full force, momentum, heart, and soul into your writing — when the tool flows smoothly across the paper, your thoughts will as well. I do agree that pencils are more environmentally sustainable and cheaper, but if you like to live as a lower class citizen, each to their own. Definitely sticking with pens. Cheers x
Honestly, who cares? If you care so much about pens, great. However, one thing you can’t take away from yourself or others (& you can’t deny it) is that pencils give us memories of childhood. & have you tried the Pentel twist & erase mechanical pencil? Your problem with gripping a pencil goes away. Plus, from an argumentative point of view, your response to Nicoles very valid point about the environmental sustainability of pencils is flimsy at best.
Hi Jeff! Some great points here. I actually did see that article and noticed an intriguing line about the pencil experience: “This is a disconcerting feeling to children, and even to some adults, demanding a sophisticated adjustment of pressure and speed.” Unfortunately, while you might see it as shady and lower-class, the pencil is, in fact, an instrument of truth. Too sleepy? Sloppy writing. Too messy? Gray shading. Nowadays, pen users are increasingly deceptive, hiding behind the elegant flow of the ink to disguise their true skills and thoughts. A pen mimics elegance–one’s words can seem elegant and beautiful, but in fact, the user lacks sophistication and maturity to properly wield that instrument, while the pencil observes truth–the true effort put into the momentum, heart, and soul of one’s composition. Again, rose-colored glasses may view the world as a utopia where one’s actions (the effort put into penmanship) do not impact the result, but when it comes to the long haul and the scope of the world, the pencil is the best representation.
Also, I will continue with the environmental and economical aspects because those are major things (apparently you would like the Earth to melt and everyone be broke pen users just to imitate sophistication) you just seem to keep ignoring (thanks for the backup Ved!). According to Dixon Ticonderoga Pencil Company, pencils can draw a line 35 miles long. And according to bicworld.com pens can draw a line approximately 1.24 miles long. Using one pencil is the equivalent to using 28 pens. Facteronis.
You’re welcome Nicole.
also, my name’s Ed
. .
\_/
Hey Jeffrey, I really loved your blog! I have recently been going through a huge writing utensil phase, and completely agree with you that mechanical pencils are inferior. However, I would suggest you google search “Palomino Blackwing 602” if you’re looking for a nice (and old-fashioned) pencil to use. I recently switched out my zebra mechanical pencil for a palomino, and haven’t regretted it at all. Thanks again for writing!