Pencil Review | Arteza Premium HB #2 Pencils | Is this a good pencil?

[@unaysqureshi1685]

As a penman who is very particular about his pencils... there is just something about these that makes them my absolute favourite pencil that I own, and that is even above the Blackwings i have. They have a very particular bite to them which gives me a very specific feedback that I just don't get from other pencils. It is true that they can be a bit unpredictable, but I have over 1000 of them, so if one is a bit temperamental it often just goes into the garage for woodworking or I find another use for them.

[@Purple-f6d]

Hi. Besides Arteza which other Pencils are your absolute favorite?

[@unaysqureshi1685]

@Purple-f6d Aside from these, I have a set of OHTO Ms01 mechanical pencils, two in 0.5 and two in 0.3. I use 4H leads in the 0.5s for ruling and setting margins, and 2B leads in the 0.3s for setting guidelines for my work. The way that these pencils perfectly run along a straight edge makes them perfectly suited to what I use them for, and their weight means that they run wonderfully true along a rule.

[@Purple-f6d]

@ Thanks for the reply. To be honest, I don’t feel the same about mechanical pencils. Maybe wooden pencils has a very strong nostalgic emotion to it. Do you have any other favourite wooden pencils? :)

[@unaysqureshi1685]

@Purple-f6d I see, that's fair, as not everyone gets on with mechanical pencils. In that case, I suggest you try the Palomino Golden Bear #2 pencil. It has good lead tonality as well as a sturdy eraser that erases cleanly. The incense-cedar shroud sharpens well and the fortified core resists breakages. I suggest you get them in blue as they look a bit better than the orange ones and I have found them slightly more resilient (for reasons I cannot explain 😄).

[@Purple-f6d]

@ Thank you 👊

[@Random_user-ge4xf]

How do you rate them against the Satedtler Noris and Tradition for writing and sketching? Thanks

[@RixCanDoit]

I think it is subjective. I'm not a fan of Noris, but many like them. For the most part, these are all basic #2 pencils. I'm still in the 2014 Norica camp for excellent #2 pencils.

[@Random_user-ge4xf]

@@RixCanDoit thank you Sir

[@chiaraluoni7635]

Thank you for this, you're the only one talking about the graphite pencils and not the colored ones!

[@rominsaini7840]

Yes!!!

[@StopFear]

He isn’t the only one.

[@tontomas]

I'm not gonna lie, I don't care about pencils. But you got yourself a subscription this is so satisfying i love you

[@RixCanDoit]

Ah, thank you!

[@veroveronica894]

I was hoping you would review the eraser on the pencil too.

[@RixCanDoit]

It's just your regular everyday garden variety eraser. Nothing special.

[@BG-ig6fd]

Thanks, I’ve been wondering about the Arteza. What is your favorite HB pencil?

[@RixCanDoit]

Blackwing 602

[@anniezhang347]

how does it compare to the ticonderoga

[@RixCanDoit]

Hard to say. They taste the same to me. ;-b

[@Dreyno]

This may be a stupid question, but is a Blackwing darker because it’s a really 2B marked as a HB? I mean, if you got a Staedtler Norica in 2B and compared it to a Blackwing, are they more similar than a Norica HB would be?

[@RixCanDoit]

I don't recall Blackwings being marked as HB, 2B or anything like that. Depending on the Blackwing, they are firm, extra firm, balanced, soft, etc. Soft is going to be darker than balanced or firm. If I were to compare, extra firm is more like HB but again they are not rated that way.

[@Dreyno]

@@RixCanDoit I suppose I’m just wondering if the smoothness and darkness is because people are using the equivalent of a 2B or 4B as they would a HB because Blackwing don’t label them the same. Is a B pencil from another manufacturer similar to an extra firm Blackwing? Like I said, probably a silly question. I’ve never tried Blackwing and the prices for them here (Europe) is way OTT. About $45 for a dozen pencils plus shipping. Love the channel btw. Thanks for replying 👍

[@RixCanDoit]

@@Dreyno By comparison, yes, writing with Blackwings can be compared to B, 2B, 4B (Blackwing Matte). A higher graphite to clay ratio results in smoother and darker pencils, resulting in being part of the "B" line of pencils. They also wear much faster requiring frequent sharpening. That's the tradeoff. As for the 'extra-firm', I would consider that perhaps a HB. Have not tested that, however.

[@Dreyno]

@@RixCanDoitWhenever I actually get around to buying some I’ll know what to order now. Thanks for the information.

[@המלט]

Thank you! I'm a writer and I understand very well the excitement from new pencils, it's like a breath. Pencils always inspire me. They are the origin of all bleeding words inside and out of us. Thank you man!

[@RixCanDoit]

Awesome. Someone who understands. Thanks for sharing!

[@immanuel_shadowhammonds2813]

I love these Pencils, very sturdy and the graphite is pretty good.

[@wallymorris686]

The package misspelled "break" as "brake"

[@GS-cg3yn]

Wally Morris I noticed that, too.

[@collecter3456]

Yeah, I was about to comment that. Pretty sad for a decently big company.

[@TheChocoboKid]

Clearly it because ince you start drawing. Nothing will pump the brakes to stop you.

[@StopFear]

Eberhard Faber no 2 pencils used to have the same matte mustard color. It used to have a simple “EF Eberhard Faber American 2 HB” on it. Cannot say that pencil was particularly remarkable. But it became remarkable to me after the companies changed hands.

[@guitarjr74]

Good review but...what do you think about the eraser? very disapponinting to me, it smudges a lot

[@JOMSWORLD1]

awesome review... good vibes... good job...

[@RixCanDoit]

Thank you 🤗

[@jaydanwabaki3332]

This pencil looks thicker than the ticonderoga, is that true? Im looking for a pencil that is slightly thicker than your average pencil.

[@RixCanDoit]

It appears to be the same thickness.

[@GeorgeFreeland]

I might need to get some of these to offset the disappointment of having this box of 2015 Ticonderogas.

[@immanuel_shadowhammonds2813]

Ticonderogas are usually pretty good; especially the vintage ones. Tell Me about Your disappointment with them?

[@GeorgeFreeland]

They're still fairly good. However they did use to be known as "The Best," and I'm not sure they still qualify for that. The lead is nice and smooth, but it doesn't seem as dark as some other #2 pencils.

[@ArthropodSpidey]

@@immanuel_shadowhammonds2813 You're severely mistaken if you think TIconderogas are stlll good.

[@immanuel_shadowhammonds2813]

@@ArthropodSpideyHahaha...well to me they are....to each their own

[@isackhernandez3691]

Does the matte finish allow for a non slip grip?

[@RixCanDoit]

The grip is the same as any other pencil.

[@giloro85]

Hi rix, it's Gil again. I think I know the only No. 2 pencil as smooth as the Blackwing, the Caran D'Ache "yellow school pencil" 351-2. It's not as dark or as soft as the Blackwing, but is actually smoother. it beats my 2B Tombow Mono 100 and the Mitsubishi Hi-Uni 2b in smoothness too.

[@RixCanDoit]

Hmm. I should check it out. Thanks Gil.

[@heddynae]

I'll have to get some Are you doing Inktober rix?

[@RixCanDoit]

No Heather. I haven't looked into what that actually is.

[@YodaAdams2]

RixCanDoit improver is when you draw a piece of art everyday for October. Hope this helped!

[@PuppetMaster8707]

WOW!!!! Rix doing a smell test?? NO WAY!!!!! AHAHAHAHA

[@BruceLee-je4ik]

Nice review! How does this one do for writhing Chinese characters? I have a problem finding one that I like. Right now I am using the Dixon and it is not bad but I like to find one that is better for Chinese characters. I know this might be difficult since you might not know Chinese but I thought I asked in case you do. I am from H.K originally and now live in the States. Thanks!

[@RixCanDoit]

I don't know Chinese. But shouldn't you be able to write Chinese with 'any' pencil? Curious.

[@donnadixon8991]

great video....rix...thank you...

[@iansoutdoorsrecovery7971]

i got some cant sharpen them they keep breaking so dissappointed im homeless do drawing s and public buy my pictures they let me down im staying night in mcdonolds doiing pet portrate for lady never use them again

[@giloro85]

Sorry bro

[@aarongomez8552]

Hi please do a giveaway in youtube

[@RixCanDoit]

I would except I have two videos with giveaways that have yet to complete the goal. Once I can give away those two items I'll look to do future giveaways.