Is A $2.75 Pencil Worth It??

Calling all pencilaholics! ✏️
This video dives deep into my love for pencils, from the clicky convenience of mechanical pencils to the classic feel of Pica and Blackwing pencils.
Even in the age of power tools, a good pencil remains essential in any woodworker's toolbox.
Join me as I explore the wonderful world of pencils! shavings guaranteed !
#pencils #blackwing #woodworking
Video Referenced : • Why This Cult ‘$40 Pen...
Pencil Links :
72 Piece Pencil Set: amzn.to/3PdHLXn
Pentel Pencil Set: amzn.to/4c85e68
NicPro Pencil Set: amzn.to/3V9XQ40
Pica Pencil 9mm : www.avantlink.com/click.php?t...
Pica Metal Scribe: www.avantlink.com/click.php?t...
Pica Pencil:
www.avantlink.com/click.php?t...
Blackwing 602: amzn.to/3TuqUlH
Blackwing Natural: amzn.to/49LlFDQ
Blackwing Sharpener: amzn.to/3wKhysV
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SedgeTool is all about woodworking and having a great time doing it. SedgeTool is Brian “Sedge” Sedgeley who brings 30 years of woodworking experience and tons of energy to the team. Chris "cameraman" Seibert who films it all! If you want to have a good time and learn something about woodworking, then you’ve come to the right place.
All views and opinions expressed during SedgeTool are explicitly those of SedgeTool. They are not intended to represent any claims, value statements, or opinions of any of the tools, brands, subsidiaries, or parent companies of brands referenced, visible, or mentioned on the show. The SedgeTool team is here for entertainment and educational purposes only. SedgeTool is not a replacement for proper training or safety guidelines as outlined by the manufacturer's owner’s manuals.

[@N33k5]

Thanks for sharing your pencil recommendations and general love for good marking tools! I think it is really cool you are sharing what you like and what has been working for you and the whys so that others might learn and find something they love out of them too.

[@sedgetool]

Thank you so much!

[@billmellon3517]

Been using 602s for several years; will never go back!

[@sedgetool]

🤙

[@barriowoodworks]

Excellent video, Sedge. I’m definitely buying a few of those recommendations. Another 💎

[@sedgetool]

Awesome, thank you!

[@russalbright4213]

Great video Sedge! I'm surprised you didn't mention the Pica .5mm lead pencil. I have the .5 Pica, the carpenters pencil Pica and the traditional .9mm Pica. They all have their purposes as you pointed out, but I use the .5mm Pica by far the most. Thanks for taking the time to make the video!

[@sedgetool]

Thanks... I have not seen the Pica .5mm yet...

[@JurBols477]

Haha, great to see there are some common interests - thanks for sharing Sedge!

[@sedgetool]

You bet!

[@brokenleadwoodworks]

Never knew about Black Wings. Thanks for sharing Sedge. Now that T-shirt is amazing and I want one. 😂

[@sedgetool]

Mousepads by Patrick .....Best t-shirt ever !!!

[@warrensmith2902]

Been using mechanical pencils since drafting class back in high school in the late 1960's. We were taught to keep those 2mm pencil at an angle and rotate the point as we drew our line to keep a point on the lead. Very important when drawing on velum for making blueprints (copies). Then came the Pentel's with different size and harness of leads. Even today I use, out of the shop, a Pentel 0.5mm accountant's sliding sleeve pencil to sketch out designs in my graph ruled notebook book. For most of my markups in the shop I use 0.9mm 2B lead, which also comes in red and blue. I also have a Pica work-a-like with with colors so I can mark dark woods. In answer to your original question, yes. The traditional "Carpenter pencil" is fine for rough framing work, but when it's time to do fine precision woodworking, I'll use mechanical's all the time. However, they do have a tendency to run away and hide in the shop a lot.

[@sedgetool]

Thanks for sharing Warren !!!

[@davidt8438]

Is a pencil worth $2.75 while standing in front of $10,000.00 worth of Festool drawer units.

[@sedgetool]

Yes

[@jessemeyle401]

Got to save money somewhere.

[@richardporter6201]

Ha ha so true. Do like Blackwing but only buy one or two. Festool is on another planet.

[@jasonhagen]

This was a great video! I could almost smell the cedar of the pencils as you sharpened them! I was curious who makes that dovetail gauge. It looks like a nice one!

[@sedgetool]

I bought the dovetail gauge at bit.ly/49c84V5

[@markpalmer3071]

I never knew I was missing out so much on pencils! Do love my pica..

[@sedgetool]

🤙

[@joebeaton1101]

You converted me to Pica Pencils & Markers > Love them... And, the 9mm Bics as I have a heavy hand!! I'll take a look at these new items as time permits. Once again > Thanks Sedge for good info!!

[@sedgetool]

You are welcome Joe !!!!

[@przemysawpogorzelec4901]

IMO best episode about pencils - ever.

[@sedgetool]

Thanks .....🙏

[@DirkfromDayton]

We bought the same set of Pentel from Amazon a few weeks ago. My wife took the .3 and the .5. I have the .7 and the .9. These are great. Still a fan of my Pica's for my pouch (Sedgeley from Leather by Dragonfly) and my apron (also Leather by Dragonfly). Great video!! Looking forward to trying the Blackwing.

[@sedgetool]

Thanks as always Dirk FROM DAYTON ...

[@andysordi9976]

I have the .9 pentel and I love it in combination with my Pica. Those are in my pouch and my .9mm refills fit great in a xxs systainer

[@sedgetool]

very cool

[@ethan3x8]

Hey Sedge.. blackwing collector here :) welcome to the club :)

[@sedgetool]

wicked cool ... Thanks

[@keith7630]

My dad who was a woodworker for 60 years used to use IBM Electrographic pencils. As a kid I used to love those things. Very dark and very smooth. I am sure they are long gone.

[@sedgetool]

Oh wow!

[@oldrudedog]

I use the graph gear .9 and have no problem with it breaking, just have to have a light touch. I also use the pica for heavy and it works great.

[@sedgetool]

Wicked ...

[@trev2417]

The .9 lead is brilliant I stopped using my woodpecker layout tool because the lead broke so frequently

[@sedgetool]

wicked cool !!!

[@AngieWilliamsDesigns]

There was just a post on the Festool Owners Group on fb about pencils. lol. I didn’t think it was possible to discuss pencils for 20 minutes…. AND keep me drawn in. I love it! LOL. When I moved into where my shop is currently (five years ago) I bought an inexpensive package of mechanical pencils. It was like 30 or something. I thought I would never run out of pencils again. Here I am 5 years later and I’ve had to buy more. I also bought ONE pencil that had white lead for walnut. But I’ve lost it. I too have issues with .5 because I’m always breaking it. I also have a measuring tool that I need a really tiny lead for. And… a thicker one for rough wood. Pencils are important!

[@sedgetool]

Wicked cool Angie !!!

[@johnmuci9102]

Thanks Sedge! I’ll pick some up

[@sedgetool]

cool

[@tatum5959]

I have the black wing subscription because it became hard for me to find them. They drop a special edition every quarter and I’ve amassed quite the collection

[@sedgetool]

Soooooooo cool !!

[@davem4256]

I recently received the Pentel set as a gift and immediately switched to using them exclusively in my shop. Last week one of the pencils stopped gripping the lead, I reached out to Pentel through their online customer submission form, and today I called their customer service line and I was transferred to Warranty service where I left a voicemail. I haven't heard back from them yet, so at this point I'm less than impressed with their customer service. I'm waiting patiently and hoping for a positive outcome from Pentel. Meanwhile I'll be looking into the other products you reviewed, so thanks for your timely video, Sedge. Great content as always. BTW if anyone has a solution for the slippery lead problem I'd really appreciate it, thanks.

[@sedgetool]

keep us informed on the outcome with Pentel... Thanks for watching !!

[@billfranklin114]

Hi Sedge, your videos are always so useful. Pentel has a type of pencil called Orenz. It is a game changer for thin leads. A thin shaft encloses the .3mm and .2mm leads and it retracts as you use the pencil. I really like it. Might be worth a look.

[@sedgetool]

Thanks for the info! I will go check it out !!

[@warrenbarnes6629]

Love the Shirt! LOL. (I’m a Green Suiters Fan)

[@sedgetool]

Rock on!

[@chriskelvin248]

I just started trying out Picas on the job. The main problem I’m having is getting a piece of lead broken off in the scabbard tip. Then when I pop the pencil back into the scabbard, the new lead sticking out of pen gets torqued over by the broken piece sitting in there. I guess I have to rewrite my brain to clear the scabbard before returning the pencil and/ or fully retracting the lead before putting it away. But, shouldn’t it be idiot-proof?

[@sedgetool]

I haven't had this happen to me yet... but.... I just drop my pica into the scabbard and don't push down on it.....

[@donwight5806]

have you seen the Ticondaroga three sided pencil. Love that as much as the Staedler drafting pencils. I am as much of a pencil fan. What would you expect from a kid from Maine.

[@sedgetool]

I had a 3 sided pencil once ...hmmmm I wonder what happened to it !!!!

[@MattLitkeRacing]

I have the old school crank pencil sharpener. I mounted it to a scrap so I can clamp it to my MFT lol

[@sedgetool]

wicked cool ... i got to get one of those...

[@ibarskiy]

Which ones are Woodpeckers little holes best suited for? I thought there was a specific size there...

[@ibarskiy]

Aha. Gotta watch the whole video, eh. Works with .9 for those wondering

[@jessemeyle401]

With the pentel need to click the holder closed when done. I didn’t retract and it fell. Now lead won’t go through the sleeve. I switched to Uni KURU TOGA every time the lead touches the material it rotates so a flat edge doesn’t form

[@sedgetool]

I will Check out the Kuru Toga ...

[@extremewoodworker]

I have been using the Pica and Hultafors pencils for years. I tend to like the Hultafors better than the Pica because it will not roll off the bench when you lay it down. They also have a much nicer lead dispenser than the Pica. Steve

[@sedgetool]

thanks..good to know

[@cleonwalters4093]

You’ve enabled a few pencil monsters ! Yay

[@sedgetool]

Wooooohoooo !!! Yeah baby !!!

[@stiniusdahl9789]

I use the Pentel 1000 graphgears also. I have the 5pc set that includes a 4mm. I also use the Caran D'ache Fix pencil in both 2mm and 3mm. Have all the different versions of the Blackwings. Great pencils but I prefer mechanicals.

[@sedgetool]

Thanks for the tips!

[@joseescoto9069]

Sedge, Four eyes just came out with the brass chunky. I don’t really need one but it looks freakin awesome.

[@sedgetool]

Tried to look it up but website is down...

[@VicTesolinWoodworks]

I’ve been a pencil nerd forever! Blackwings are boss.

[@sedgetool]

For sure Vic !!

[@plunder1956]

When I was working in an RC design department (late 70s) I used 0.3mm and 0.5mm. But my workshop mix includes carpinters pencils and deep hole markers, in fact anythuing that seems appropriate. The wall of plastic cases behind you indicates your main addiction. How many tens of thousands is in that wall?

[@sedgetool]

quite a bit !!!

[@coolbugfacts1234]

If you ever need another expensive pencil, I love the rOTring pencils, it looks like the NicPro are essentially clones of rOTring. The original factories in Hamburg have shut down which is a bummer, but the quality is still great I think. The 600 is the style with non-retractable lead sleeve, and the 800 has a retractable lead sleeve to prevent damage if it's in a pocket. The 600 also has a rotating lead hardness window, in case you want multiple pencils with different leads. Their leads are also fantastic, they seem to be a little stronger than Pentel but they also seem to write more smoothly.

[@sedgetool]

I will definitely check them out !!!! Thanks !!!

[@FormerlyKnownAsAndrew]

You hit the mak on this one. ✏️

[@sedgetool]

✏✏✏✏✏

[@danshort3147]

Just added the waterjet resistant to my arsenal. Thank you very much.

[@sedgetool]

Cool

[@AB-nu5we]

I like my good pencils too. I went in the direction of Japanese made pencils. I do have the Pentel 9mm mechinical pencil. I need more colored lead though. Cool stuff!

[@sedgetool]

Thanks....

[@MattHmm-rq6dn]

I use a pica 3030 in my side pouch and enjoy almost any pica products. They make a double sided pencil that works great with the white lead side. The best pencil I've ever used but they don't exist anymore is the no blot indelible ink (Eberhard or Stanford later model). They haven't been made for 20 to 40 years but you can find a few from time to time at 17 a peice nose. If you love pencils track one down and give it a shot there's nothing like it. I had to break down and pay 135 for 12 pencils.... I hope I mever loose any

[@sedgetool]

wow...cool...

[@Marcus_Caius]

I am also a big pen and pencil fan. The graphite Pentel kit is absolutely awesome. I love it! I just had a look at the NicPro pencils and I now hate you so much that I order 2 kits. the one you have on your video and the 2.8 3 pacxk carpenter package. Joke about hate 😇

[@sedgetool]

No worries ...since I released this video I have purchased more pencils from comment recommendations..... Like I need another pencil.....

[@Marcus_Caius]

@@sedgetool Guess what! I was digging in my stach of pencil and found a NicPro kit ROFL. Now I need to find a nice pencil organizer to make :)

[@kyleolson8977]

I'm surprised you hadn't gone for the Graph Gear 1000s. Outside of the Picas, these are the kings of the workshop. I'm not big on any mechanical pencil that's plasticky. The Graphgear 1000 0.9 has been my traditional go-to pencil fine, but the new Pica Fine Dry is likely my favorite now. 0.9 is the best traditional lead for woodworking, although sometimes 0.7 is OK and 0.5 or 0.3 are needed for edge cases. Anything thinner than 0.9 breaks too much when being used for woodworking. The other favorite pencil has been the Pica Dry Longlife Automatic I'll always have a lead holder nearby, anytime I need to mark surface/cover surface before using the planer. I've got a few 2.0 pencils around with light colored leads. Erasers: get Japanese Foam Erasers. Sakura Craypas is a standard choice. So much better. Another oddball Japanese Pencil: OHTO Minimo Mechanical Pencil. I believe these are intended to be attached to bookmarks and held in notebooks. They're short and extremely thin, which allows them to be used in some marking tools that regular mechanical pencils will never fit in.

[@sedgetool]

wow ..Thanks..I just checked out the OHTO Minimo on Amazon... cool

[@darkhorsedesign]

I'm a Pentel P209 kinda guy. I keep a Pica loaded with red for ! marking and laser/builders level benchmarks.

[@sedgetool]

good point ...

[@user-nx3zk5qi8t]

A man like you, one that clearly likes quality tools and accessories, should really look into getting some Festool products

[@sedgetool]

😳

[@sadjami]

You won't regret it! The Japanese stationary market is on another level! There are some incredibly beautiful and elegantly engineered pens and pencils whilst there are also an incredible number of way over engineered pencils with so many addes features, like a level, self feeding lead and erasers built in compasses. I have the next step up nicpro set and it that has graphite and reasin lead options with the basic grey, while the colored lead is a graphite polymer mix. Despite the colors not being able to be erased cleanly with any eraserin my arsenal, I do like the pencils. I have RA and the weight of the metal gears, components and barrel ensure that I can always feel the pencil in my hand even on the worst days. As an artist and calligrapher that refuses to abandon my craft no matter how much it may hurt my hands the reliability of the heft is something I really appreciate, frankly I depend on I for delicate intracut work. I tried the four candy brand because it's beautiful and I have a penchant for pastels, unfortunately they constantly jam after the original factory load (so on the reload), so much so that the company included a jam corrector/repair device. It wasn't mentioned as an included item in the item description, though I'm not surprised.

[@sedgetool]

Thanks ...cool

[@wiltonrand2561]

Ticonderoga 'My First' line of pencils for elementary kids makes about the best carpenters pencil I've ever used. Trust me on this.

[@sedgetool]

cool

[@robanderson240971]

Pull the green lid off of the pica to replace the led.

[@sedgetool]

ok

[@LincolnWoodworks]

That festool sketch pad is wicked cool, i love sketching projects on it! Need to get some more and one of those shirts!

[@sedgetool]

awesome !!

[@wittworks]

I only use pencils that come in systainers.

[@sedgetool]

Really ....

[@MattHmm-rq6dn]

Tracer has a heavier feel compared to the pica 3030 worth a shot if you haven't tried one

[@sedgetool]

cool

[@garrypalmer5014]

If you pull the green top off the picca, you have a rubber and if you pull the rubber off you refill your pencil

[@sedgetool]

Thank you

[@jamesmyatt8132]

How to say I spend a lot of money on tool without saying I spend a lot of money on tool.

[@GoblinSpanker]

Are you seriously telling me that Pica pencils aren’t the best? I finally became a proper woodworker with my Pica, and you just pulled the rug from under me. 🤪😂

[@sedgetool]

Pica is still KING

[@Sol-hl2rj]

Square carpenters pencils can be sharpened with an edge like a knife… and it holds its edge loooong! And no, do not sharpen with sharpeners that makes the rectangular tip round😖 U can get lines comparable to well below a 0,3/0,5..and it won’t brake.. Agreed that a small round is useful sometimes, but very seldom. Sharpen the 2,0 to pinpoint instead.

[@sedgetool]

Cool

[@sadjami]

The uni kuru toga .5, .3 over ALL these every day, all day. I Have most of them and there's NO comparison to the quality and engineering of Japanese mechanical pencils. This one auto feeds the lead as you write so you don't have to stop writing to click more lead down, among several other awesome features.

[@sedgetool]

I need to get a few of those....

[@I_identify_as_a_human]

I’m wondering what this guys favourite tool company is. That has to be 10k worth

[@sedgetool]

ok

[@cerberus2881]

I like the 9 or a knife.

[@sedgetool]

cool

[@danshort3147]

So sedge made it 10 seconds more into the video now I just ordered the metal marker.

[@sedgetool]

Wicked cool

[@BW-cw4lq]

Sedge, you are late to the party! Blackwell is the best in pencils. Blake

[@sedgetool]

Thanks Blake !!!

[@mjf1036]

I believe you intended to say 0.9mm rather than 9mm 😂 Yes Pentel make the best mech. pencils

[@sedgetool]

Thanks !!!🙏

[@RUM123]

Got one for you to look up. A Kuru Toga. Do a little research on them at least. Bet I got you to spend more money lol

[@sedgetool]

just watched a video on the Kuru Toga....hmmmmm Thanks ..going to buy a couple .... my obsession continues...

[@luzzitan]

Beste Grüße aus Deutschland😊

[@sedgetool]

Best Regards from USA !!!!

[@SebastianGomezZana]

9 mm pencils???Do your homework mate

[@sedgetool]

ok