Mechanical carpenters pencils reviewed. Pica, Hultafors, Thorvald, Tracer, and Ox all compared.

[@mikeredhead2894]

I'm gone go get me that Hulfators. Been looking at it for a bit and finally decided to research it. Thank you for the video.

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

Glad it was of use to you, thanks for watching. You've made a good choice.

[@CJINW]

I have several. After long term use….. the red one is the best. The Pica had 2 major flaws. The end is just a friction fit cap. Mine comes off all the time. You have to be careful taking it out of the holder or you will just pull off the end. Also the thinner retaining clips under the main clip break off. After they do, the clip does not stay on tight to anything.

[@jonhigginson4096]

That hole on the Ox holder can be a little annoying at times but other than that a great sturdy marker, don’t know whether they’re all the same but the Ox pencil is even better on wet surfaces.

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

Apart from the hole, it's a good pencil.

[@michaelosmon]

Ive had hultafors for about 5 years and i use it all the time. Still works great. I especially like that the sheath fits in a spot on my pouch real well and i can still access the sharpener

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

No surprises there, mine keeps going strong too. 💪

[@spin4224]

Pencils are like clamps. Can’t have too many. I have the Pica for about a year now and the Tracer for around 9 months. I use the Pica 90% of the time. And I have a container full of wooden pencils of various makes and models that may be feeling a bit neglected since I put a Pica in my pocket. 😂..New subscriber. Enjoyed the show

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

Glad to have you on board. I couldn't agree more. Every now and again I'm forced to use an old school pencil and it's infuriating 😂

[@SavageVoyageur]

I clicked on this video wondering why I need to replace my trusty old carpenter pencil. After watching this video I will be ordering the Pica pencil. Thanks for the video.

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

You won't be dissapointed, thank you for watching.

[@CooK19XX]

Ive had the ox for about 8 months, doesnt like to be sharpened anymore and a piece of electric tape keeps it from falling out of its holster 😂 imo it was worth the price for the time its lasted. Definitely want to try another brand now 💯

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

For the amount if work I've put mine through, I don't begrudge any of them breaking, all fantastic value for money.

[@MagnusMiselli]

You can buy different Pica graphite versions. HB to H grade. Been using mine with the harder graphite… works like a charm!

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

That's really good to know, thanks for the info 👍

[@jbjoe249]

Tnx for review. I have 3 hultafors and I was looking just to try something else. I'll stay with hultafors definitely. Than you.

[@badninja1971]

The Tracer has a tendency to not hold the lead after a while, (pushes back in to the chamber)especially when trying to sharpen.

[@danielgraham1634]

The pica and the thorvald are the same price well where I shopped anyway I like the thorvald better because of the pen like grip that’s removable

[@lylewaters6161]

I totally just bought the Hultafors instead of the Pica because of your video. Thanks!

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

Thanks very much, I think you'll be really happy with it.

[@liquidrockaquatics3900]

15:18 that space inside of the lead container looks like it holds another pencil

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

@@liquidrockaquatics3900 nope, tried it many times and different ways. Shame really.

[@liquidrockaquatics3900]

@@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse I thought maybe it was to hold the pencil so that you can carry the lead and the pencil both. That’s a shame. Missed opportunity there.

[@sandy_knight]

I have an Engelbert Strauss branded pencil very similar to the Thorvald one but the clip is a bit beefier, the lower barrel twists off instead of pulling off and there is a sharpener inside the top cap where you replace the leads. I believe Engelbert Strauss are a German workwear/clothing manufacturer but they also distribute Halder tools, probably other brands. I bought a hammer off them and added the pencil to get free shipping. Anyway, its a round about way of saying I doubt they make the pencil themselves...

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

That's interesting, I've come across that workwear brand before but didn't know they stocked tools. The thorvald is much like the other cheap ones on amazon, and I found the little sharpener later on. Terrible design really. I'm surprised I've not lost that yet but it's only a matter of time. Thanks for watching.

[@andik859]

​@@ToolReviewsofToolsIUsebest pencil is Sola TLM 2.

[@jadd6810]

I was looking for Pica alternatives and you my friend just made my decision 4x's harder. 😀

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

😆 sorry about that.

[@philipmarkbond]

bleispitz are my favourite alternative

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

@@philipmarkbond I had to do a search for that one. It looks pretty good for the price.

[@liquidrockaquatics3900]

@@philipmarkbondare those available in the United States?

[@1juno1]

My Tracer stops pushing out the lead when it's about halfway used, and there's not room for another complete lead to push the leftover through. It would be interesting to see how the different brands handle this. The sharpener blade also completely rusted and clogged up. My colleagues Ox didn't feel like an improvement. No idea what Pica were thinking with the sharpener position? I'm going to try the Hultafors based off this video. I think there's a lot of room for improvement in deep pencils, hoping to see some actual innovation instead of different flavours of the same thing! Maybe something that self-sharpens 😂 I'm not interested in lead holsters since I buy the cheap multipacks from Amazon and they live in my tool chest. Thanks for the video!

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

It would be great if a manufacturer combined all the best aspects of the different pencils as well as adding something different. There is definitely scope for this.

[@liquidrockaquatics3900]

I have a ‘mechanical’ carpenter pencil that uses long rectangular graphite larger that what probably comes inside pencils. It is super cheap plastic and works great. It isn’t a fine point however. Great for non-accurate use

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

@@liquidrockaquatics3900 Sounds perfect for marking rough wood like the old style carpenters pencils 👍

[@1nonlybc]

Tracer sharpener position is what sold me

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

Yes, much like the Lyra that I reviewed in a recent video it works very well. The more I use the tracer the more I like it. Thanks for watching.

[@johnbailey4664]

Pica/ Festool leads are to soft your forever sharpening it and if you put it away with the lead out the cover breaks it off. Drove me mad so it went in the bin!

[@davidhull2060]

Started out with the tracer...it marks well on most surfaces, but I've had trouble with the mechanism on occasion. Now trying the Pica, and after a couple of weeks use its my preferred option....I might have to try out the Hultafors though....just to be thorough!

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

You can't go wrong with either of them, but both is definitly better 😁👍

[@nicks3037]

The answer of a man who loves tools made me warm and tingly inside​@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse

[@gavinstone3769]

Check the yellow leads they fit all the pens but some don't write on glass or smooth surfaces, pica and tracer good leads 📝🍷

[@capt221]

Looks like the pencil fits inside the lead holder of the Hultafors.

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

I thought it might be something like that when I first saw it, but it's not sadly.

[@rickoneill4343]

Came here thinking the same. Even has a slot. Where the clip might go. Too bad they didn't think of this.

[@GKganesan]

Excellent; thank you!

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

I hope it helped 👍

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

I’ve had a Hultafors in my list for awhile… I may go ahead and pick one up… I mostly like the color 😂

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

It certainly won't dissapoint. The shape of the handle fits well in the hand. I'm going to enjoy working with all of these. Such a shame the Thorvald doesn't have a sheath, but it has the potential to be nice one to keep in a pen pot on the workbench. Bit of a deal breaker for me in the tool box though.

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

@@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse does the Hultafors lead fit in the Pica Pencil? I need to order me some more lead for my Picas anyways.. may just order a Hultafors Pencil and one of those Lead Holders

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

@@MORGANSMaintenance I've just checked. They fit well. Having looked at them side by side they look exactly the same width.👍

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

@@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse appreciate it…. Like you, I like that lead holder better too.

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

@@MORGANSMaintenance I've just had a look at the tracer leads and they fit the pica too. Shame they rattle a little bit more than the hultafors because the case is a bit more toolbox friendly imo.

[@Metalblaze124]

the Thorvald is exactly the same as Sola, a brand I saw at our local trade show for tiling. They make really nice levels too. I've been enjoying using it a lot. Probly gunna buy the Hultafors and try it next as I like the sheath, the extra lead case and the sharpener position.

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

You won't go wrong with that choice. Certainly better than an old style carpenters pencil. Great for tiling as ite leaves a mark that's easy to wash off, but just enough that you can see for the cut.

[@andik859]

I have Sola TLM 2 . This is a good pencil.

[@hb6846]

I've had a tracer and the pencil and holder clips break, the sharpener doesn't last and clogs up easily. After good use the interference fit on the pencil to holster of the tracer loosens up so much it falls out a lot. I'm looking into alternatives

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

Solid review. The tracer is nice to use, but the clip is a bit flimsy considering it needs to be clipped on to thick workwear, pouches etc. A version 2 of it could be great. The mechanism and sharpener are still holding up on mine though. Thanks for watching.

[@hb6846]

@@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse how have you found the ox, it looks appealing because if it's smaller size /girth for a trouser/leg pocket?

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

The ox is nice in the hand, much like the hultafors. Still not keen on the hole I mentioned though, but I think you'll like it.

[@NickLaslett]

I have 3 Tracers, hold clip has broken on all of them.

[@hudsonsoul1121]

The ox l owed and it broke within a few weeks. The pica l also owed but the lead seems to jam when you refill. Still looking for a descent one.

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

That's a shame. Might be a faulty one, or maybe needs a clean out inside. Could have pencil lead dust, sand, sawdust or something in the barrel. Try the hultafors. I'm not saying it's the best of the lot as they all have advantages/disadvantages, but it's the one I've given a very hard time and it keeps working perfectly.

[@hudsonsoul1121]

@@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse 3 different brands I’ve bought and they all failed in one way or another. After watching your video l decided to order the hultafors pencil which I’ve never heard about. Great review and thanks for the tip.

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

@@hudsonsoul1121 I don't think you'll regret it. Hultafors have a great range of tools, and this is no exception. Let me know how you get on with it👍 How did you break your Ox pencil? Thank you for watching.

[@hudsonsoul1121]

@@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse the ox button to extend the lead failed within 3 weeks of use. The pica lasted about two months but the leads jammed inside (still have this one so l will try and sort it out) and another brand unknown to me but it was red and the sharpener was inside the button which became so lose l constantly be trying to find it, that actually split after a few weeks of use. The hultafors should be with me Friday so l look forward to trying that out. Never heard of the brand before but l looked at a few of their products and they are quite appealing, prices are clearly a little higher which l don’t mind as long as the quality is good. Most of the pencils seem to have a weakness. Shame because l love the idea and l don’t mind paying more for a quality item.

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

@@hudsonsoul1121 interesting to hear. I will say that the ox and the hultifors look like they could be made in the same place, the build quality and materials are very similar. Bit the design of the H is much better. Good luck with it.

[@rdunagan23]

You will definitely put the pencil in the hole on the sheath the little tabs that hold the pencil in the sheath will fail after about 8 months and it will just fall out all the time. Other then that I love it.

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

Agreed, it's a good effort with a few minor fixes needed.

[@paul_my_plumbs_uk]

I lost my tracer after 3 weeks bough a new one and the belt clip on the holder is 👎👎👎 to small and flimsy going to try a different brand

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

My thoughts exactly. I've not broken mine yet, but I feel its a matter of time, yet with the pica for example I feel like it will live on forever. Having said that, I like the feel and look of the tracer. They would be on to a winner if they beefed up the clip on the sheath, and maybe got rid of the pen clip altogether.

[@benharmeyer]

I use the ox every day works really well downfall ,you can’t just drop it in and the sharpener if it had one like the tracer would love it I just don’t sharpen it bc he work I do doesn’t require a sharp point.

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

It's definitely the downfall of the ox, which is a shame as the build quality is pretty good.

[@mail06513]

Great video, wish I saw it last night when I went down the KZbin rabbit hole and ended up buying the OX on Amazon at 11 pm. The Hultafors looks pretty good, I would have gotten it instead if I had seen your video. Well, If I like the OX I'll probably get the Hultafors next. Does the OX lead fit in the Hultafors?

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

Hi, thanks for watching. I've just checked and they both fit interchangeably.👍 The ox pencil is good. The more I look at them side by side, the more I am convinced that they are made in the same factory as the hultafors. Its a shame they didn't copy the sheath. You won't be dissapointed in your purchase though, it's a solid choice.

[@mail06513]

@@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse Thank you.

[@mail06513]

You are the only one who mentioned the annoying hole on the OX holster. I've been using the OX for about a week and I keep getting hung up on the hole when I drop my pencil in, so annoying. I ordered the Hultafors and I'll probably end up getting a Pica 0.9 mm too.

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

@@mail06513 Seems so obvious, I just don't understand why they designed it like that. This vid was only my initial thoughts, so I'm looking forward to giving a more experienced review of them all soon. Thanks for watching, and your input.👍

[@johnhmcnally1344]

Looks like the entire Hultafors pencil fits into the lead case, for storage.

[@andy_und_8]

I owned the Pica the Tracer and the Hultafors. with the Pica the refill box is too soft, the pencil leads break too often. The belt clip I fende a little too tight, that disturbs when sharpening I like the clip on the Hultafors much better. also the refill box is better solved, but the color leads "stick" in the sun often in the box the Tracer is the position of the sharpener best solved, but I do not have much experience with the Tracer yet

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

I agree on all points👍 With all the pros and cons of all these pencils, I reckon one company could come and steal the prize if they listened and brought out an updated model. Thanks for watching.

[@Rebel9668]

I have the old fashioned flat pencils so that's what I'll continue to use.

[@villa_fan8882]

How do you know that a very small investment in one of these pencils would not help with your workflow? I didn’t realise how much these style of pencils would help until I got one! Not searching for a pencil numerous times a day saves me more time than I could have ever imagined. Also, I hated having millions of pencils scattered around all my tool boxes and vans is also a massive bonus! I also have a version that is amazing for working on shiny surfaces. I recommend you spend the £10 to give them a go, it might surprise you! I do agree that a standard pencil works and it would not be the end of the world if I had to go back to them but I would rather not!

[@Rebel9668]

@@villa_fan8882 I don't have a "work flow", lol. I have a hobby where I occasionally go out to the shop to build things.

[@villa_fan8882]

@@Rebel9668 oh, you're just an amateur! I presumed you were a professional. Yeah, you can just use hand me down tools if you are not sure what you are doing.

[@Rebel9668]

@@villa_fan8882 I assumed you were a professional too....my bad. If you were, you'd know that a carpenter's pencil can be used for small measurements because they are exactly 1/2" wide and 1/4" thick. They won't roll away from you. Being 1/4" thick they work well as spacers for decking. Depending on how you sharpen them you can use them as a scribe, or a blunt point for marking rough surfaces, or you can sharpen them to a point to make a line finer than any #2 pencil can make. Oh, any my carpenter's pencils are new, lol. Now, I do refurbish old power tools but that is because I find them to be of higher quality than most of the box store stuff that costs more than what I paid for the tools I have. Like the circa 1956 DeWalt radial arm saw I bought a couple weeks ago for $35. I replaced the motor bearings, the power cord and de-rusted, primered, painted and clear coated the machine. Those things just last forever because they're cast iron. A new one from The Original Saw Company starts out at over $5k, so you can laugh about "hand me down tools", but I'm laughing all the way to the bank.

[@villa_fan8882]

@@Rebel9668 The pencils only cost £10, mate 😬 I am not sure why you have your knickers in a twist, you were the one who stated you occasionally make things!

[@Pound4Pound23]

Thank you sir

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

Thank you for watching 👍

[@jakobmorningstar]

You prefer primary colors… is blue not a primary color?

[@iloveathos]

When is the review after use video planned for?

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

I'll aim to drop that vid in the next few weeks. I've been slowly cycling through them. Thank you for watching.

[@A_Ck9]

Good job 😊

[@fullmetalalkami6466]

It's the PICA, that thing is pretty sturdy too

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

If you like the pica then check out the review i did on the Lyra, it's absolutely solid.

[@DelgadoElectric]

Ox pencil all day💪

[@scottaddison8071]

Pica is the Absolute Best

[@chucknorris2952]

Got 4 broken picas, the lead eventually gets stuck in the pen

[@approachableactive]

The ox is the best site pencil in use but its too unreliable. I got sick of replacing them. The pica is excellent but the sharpener does my bleedin nut! Im currently on a tracer. Would be perfect if you could buy the leads without the stupid carousel. I dont want 4 2b leads and 2 wax ones i want 6 2b leads, and i resent paying for a new holder every time. Just sell me a bloody refill pack will 60 leads in it lol. Problem is the amazon lead packs you can buy dont always quite work in some of these mech pencils. You take your chances

[@justinc.8497]

Why not buy Pica leads?

[@martinmccloskey4206]

The lead on the tracer is 2b ,,,its so annoying , you need to sharpen it way too often (almost every time you need a fine line ) are ther any with 2b lead?

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

I think the majority of them are 2b. It seems that the cheaper ones aren't, but then they don't seem to write as well on a multitude of building materials. I've had the same problem as you, but it's still miles better than having to pull out a knife and sharpen a traditional carpenters pencil. Thanks for watching.

[@martinmccloskey4206]

I’m a mirin I meant With 2h it’s the 2b lead it’s too soft

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

@@martinmccloskey4206 I'm not sure about 2h, but I know that the cheaper leads seem to be a lot harder. For example the ones that come with the Thorvald pencil. Now I've had a bit of time to use them after this vid I'm realising that the leads are subtly different.

[@alwayssearching1882]

Do they mark glossy ceramic tiles?

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

Yes, especially the ones with the softer leads like the pica and hultafors.👍

[@ibby81ae]

Whats your favourite one?

[@twelthstring]

Do leads of brand A fit in brand B?

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

I can't speak for every lead, but I have a large selection and they all seem interchangeable. The main difference I have found is the hardness, and how easily they mark various materials.

[@DoubleD72]

He is ok with florescent green or Orange but Baby blue screams too much color? lol. Wow.

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

Good point😂

[@John..18]

Yeah, but you can't stick them behind your ear,, 🤣🤣,, the wife would kill me if I spent eleven quid on a pencil,, 😂