Anyone here pocket-carry a mechanical pencil or lead holder on a regular basis? Tips, tricks, favorite pencils?
Along my A7 notebook I’ve pocket carried a 2mm (Blick Studio), the lead pointer in the cap can spill graphite (hard to empty it all). I’ve put a small piece of scotch tape over it. I’ve also been thinking about pocket safety solutions for fixed-sleeve pencils… Obviously there are retractable tip pencils as well… I have a few, but they’re a bit long and pricey for carrying around.
I think my perfect pocket carry model would be something with a bit of weight (at least part metal), wide-ish grip, short length, pocket safe, and affordable (for replacing if lost)
I regularly will have a Kerry in my pants pocket at work.
Edit - for 2mm the Koh-I-Noor 5608 is also a decent pocket size EDC (has built in pointer) and the 2mm lead lasts a long time so no need to carry refills
I carry a writing implement everyday. Here are some things I have found make carrying pencils easier.
First, if you are carrying pencils in your pocket you have to be willing to loose/break them. It sucks but that stuff happens
All metal retractable tip pencils are your best friend but like you said those can be expensive. There are cheaper alternatives like the Graphgear 1000. Metal on metal construction is more durable than having a plastic connector. Plastic pencils are quite durable too though, like the Pentel P200… and cheap to replace.
anything with a fully sliding sleeve is pocket safe, as well as any capped pencils like the Pentel Kerry.
The larger the lead size the more pocket safe it is. 0.9mm is generally big enough to not put holes in your pocket/bend the lead sleeve. I also think anything with a 2mm lead sleeve is fine, at least you won’t bend the lead sleeve.
I haven’t carried leadholders in years. I find leadholders too fiddley for everyday carry. Dull 2mm is too big imo so I also need to carry a lead pointer or use a leadholder with a messy built in pointer… where are all those graphite shavings going??
I either carry my pen/pencils in my breast pocket or in a leather pen sleeve in my pants pocket. If you plan on carrying more than one pen/pencil I would recommend pen sleeves with dividers so your pencils aren’t rubbing against each other. I regret not investing in better pen sleeves earlier, I have a couple heavily scuffed pencils from my early days of collecting. I have also sewn a divider into a few of the breast pockets on my button up shirts. One line of thread with separate my pen and pencil so they don’t scratch each other, and if I’m carrying a multipen the divider holds the pen nice and straight.
I used to carry 2-3 pencils as well as a pen, but over the years I have cut back. Lately I find myself reaching for a single multipen. All multipens have retractable tips so they are perfect for everyday carry
Be carful not to crush the pens in your pocket against countertops and similar objects. And don’t loose anything. Good luck out there!!
I used to EDC that Muji mini pencil (OHTO minimo OEM) quite a lot, in my wallet. And as a piercing in my nose. JK!
Then I realised if you have to have a writing instrument on you all the time a pen is more useful than a pencil, e.g. to sign stuff at the post office. So now I pocket my dad’s Fischer Space Pen all the time and I freaking love it (I gave it to him), and in exchange he uses my pristine Parker 25 sometimes which is his favourite pen. All parties happy.
For the last few years I have been carrying a Colleen Jib, a Pentel Clic eraser, and a Pentel R7 pen wiyh a ceramicron insert. These all live in an eyeglass sleeve. Of course the Colleen is a double knock. All were used when I started to carry them. Losing them would be sad but not tragic. I have been stuck in the leg with a pencil before. I do not recommend it.
I like these three because they are slim in the front pocket, They hold the pens very securely, And they completely cover my pens including the pocket clips. I LOVE the look of well used objects but I try to keep my mp/bp’s in the best shape possible.
There are lots of different pen sleeves out there and I definitely haven’t tried very many… getting a new pencil is a lot more fun than getting a new sleeve. Lots of online pen stores sell sleeves/cases… Goulet Pens has a few Ive been considering. and they definitely don’t need to be leather, I’ve sewn fabric sleeves in the past that worked great.
Cargo pants pockets still count… but after falling in love with the Smash… its still god awful to try and carry in pockets. Haven’t drawn blood with the 4mm pipe.. but thats not from a lack of trying. I throw the Kerry in my pants pocket and rarely reach for the pencil case unless I need an eraser.
I liked the idea of the Kerry at first. But now im a believer in the Kerry love. Still only have the one, but its my daily pocket pencil.
been a few weeks and i’ve been carrying a P209 everywhere. I didn’t plan to originally but it’s just worry-proof compared to the other options! 0.9mm seemed like it would be too wide, but it turns out there’s always a fine point somewhere on the face of the lead. I’ve been writing in my A7 notebook with no real issues. I notice the lead pipe but it hasn’t been pokey per se.
