I love pencils. They are an extremely utilitarian writing instrument. While the US spent millions developing a pen to write in outer space, the Soviets, strapped for cash, simply used a pencil.
Pencils are uncomplicated and yet are a fairly complex bit of engineering. And I am referring to the “simple” wood-cased pencil. It is their uncomplicated nature which appeals to me. Simply sharpen and write.
To save wear and tear on my hand, I like using a soft lead. I can get a dark enough line to read and not exert much pressure to do so. Depending on the manufacturer, a 2B, 3B, or 4B is best for me.
But why use a pencil at all? In this day and age, with computers, smart phones, and tablets, why use a pencil — why write, by hand?
Check out these articles which show the benefits of writing by hand:
Do Writers Need to Write by Hand
The bottom line? We retain more information with writing by hand over typing and we become more thoughtful composers. Our sentence structure and grammar are better and we have more coherent thoughts.
My favorite pencils are General’s Semi-Hex No. 1 and General’s Test Scoring No. 580. The lead on each is soft and smooth, yet they keep a decent point, and the cost is very reasonable. Plus they are made in America.
The other pencils I tend to reach for are the Staedtler Mars Lumograph in 3B and the Blackwing series by Palomino. The former is made in Germany and the latter in Japan. Both are very smooth writing. The downside is cost. They are pricey.
So the next time you start to write your version of the Great American Novel, reach for a pencil.
Do you have a favorite pencil? If so, share what it is!
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I heard about the benefits of writing by hand, and I can testify to that. If I can type a first draft directly on the pc no problem, I would never be able to revise on pc. I need an hard copy… and yes, a pencil. I use a pencil too (I don’t know why, the pen doesn’t satisfy me the same way ;-))
Though I prefer the mechanical pencil, because the writing is even.
I don’t know, handwriting allows me a higher level of concentration. Don’t know whether this is just psychological (in the sense that I just imagine it) or if there is anything scientific about it. It certainly works for me 🙂
I agree, JazzFeathers, that writing by hand seems to improve concentration. Better than a pen, although I will use a fountain pen or dip pen at times. I think a fountain pen or dip pen slow down the process and thereby improve concentration, like a pencil. The pencil, though, is still my favorite. I like mechanical pencils as well and frequently use one.