Vintage Pencil and Pen Discovery

[@danmiller6890]

Hi Kevin! Would you ever consider perhaps doing a “review” of each of these old treasures? Maybe one or two a month? I think we would all enjoy that. Of course you probably wouldn’t be able to test the attached eraser due to age but I think it would be very enjoyable. Anyhow, just a humble request from Mt. Pleasant, WI. 😊

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Hi Dan - that's a nice idea! Actually, I would love to try out some of the old pencils that were in that box. Unlike the pens, the pencils still work! The erasers are hard as rocks but the pencils will still write. Thanks!

[@Divyanshu0236]

Yes. It will be a fun research work to do !!

[@Recordesk]

Drooling... Be still my beating heart! I can almost smell the history and hear the stories.

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Hi - this was a wonderful find. I know that there is a story behind each of these old pencils! Thanks!

[@deanthompson3741]

What a treasure to find,box and all. To know they were used and kept by your family make them even better. Being a Musgrave fan, I enjoyed seeing the unusual Pal. Imagine 50 or 60 years from now when the next analog family member discovers this candy box of treasures,the pencils will still perform. Totally enjoyed this. Thank you Kevin.

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Hi Dean! Glad you enjoyed exploring this box of my dad's old pencils with me! Even in 100 years, these pencils should all still work as designed - not many other things can make that claim!! Thanks so much!

[@ma-mo]

"It was an absolutely beautiful building; they tore it down." This could be the epitaph for our times. Thanks for sharing this find. I absolutely loved it.

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Hi Duffy - Yes, I agree! Glad you enjoyed this - it was like finding a treasure in the basement!

[@ScaryClown338]

Hopefully when we ourselves pass away our pencil collections are given such a "memorial" or review :) And not thrown away. Maybe so someone else can cherish them. That was really great seeing all of those pencils but also bittersweet as so many of those pencil companies that were in the USA are no longer there. We only have 3 pencil companies left in the states I believe.

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Hi Leafafarian! Here's hoping the people who follow will enjoy and appreciate our pencil collections! Yes, this group of pencils was a nice reminder of the many small pencil companies that used to exist in the US. This is why I try to support the remaining ones when I'm able, so that we always have some American made pencils. Thanks!

[@gregbudig5014]

What a wonderful keepsake from your father! I remember seeing your dad Walter in a couple episodes of "Cavalcade" years ago, the bread and butter pickle episode being the most memorable. That was over 8 years ago!! I hope you don't mind me asking if he is still with us? After my mom passed away last November, going through my parents things was very bittersweet, but we found some wonderful keepsakes. Very nice episode!! Take care!

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Hi Greg! Finding this box of pencils served as a nice connection to my dad, who we lost a few years ago. Every once in a while I will run across something that belonged to him or my mom, and it is a bit like having them there again, if just for a moment. The memories are the most cherished of all. Sounds like you had the same kind of experience with your mom's things. Thanks so much!

[@bettyfreckles]

"Goody Goody Gumdrops", Would love to own a box of pencils like that. Just found your second channel and glad I did. Love watching your pencil reviews. Thank You.

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Hi Betty! I'm glad you found my second channel, too! You never know what might be tucked away in an old box - hope you find a vintage pencil treasure sometime! Thanks!

[@Old52Guy]

When my father died he left a large junk drawer in his desk. I boxed up everything and stored it at my house where it has sat for decades. This video made me go down and find it and I am glad I did. Among the usual dried up ball points and broken fountain pens was a large bundle of pencils. My father was obviously a "chewer" which was fun to see in itself. I took the bundle upstairs and cleaned them up. By now these pencils were 60+ years old. An old sales receipt dated in 1950 showed he purchased them for a nickel apiece. These pencils wrote beautifully. They didn't drag across the page and left nice dark marks. They were marked as #2, no H or HB. I am now trying to find comparable pencils. Thanks for this video and the stroll down memory lane.

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Hi Old52Guy - I'm so glad that you decided to go through that box of your dad's things. A wonderful way to connect with memories of him. The beauty of pencils is that they will still perform no matter how many years dormant - unlike the old pens. Hope you use some of your dad's pencils or put them in a cup where you can enjoy them! Thanks!

[@Old52Guy]

@@AlwaysAnalog Thank you for responding. Both my Dad and were/are packrats. I am glad I kept the boxes in spite of several moves. I'm his age now and the boxes act like time machines. Actually found one of his pocket knives that he used to sharpen his carpenter pencils. It was also the first pocket knife I got cut with. A question I have is that these pencils lay down a nice black line, not the gray line that current pencils do. His pencils are marked "2" and the current pencils are "2HB." I am assuming that the old pencils are a softer lead than the 2HB. They also smudge a bit if rubbed. Do you know of a source for the softer 2 pencil? All i can find are artist pencils (horribly expensive and the point is always breaking). I ask because as I have gotten older it is sometimes difficult to make out the lighter line, especially in strong light. Thanks for your channel. Definitely subbing!

[@AlwaysAnalog]

@@Old52Guy The designation of the core as #2 is more of an American system for indicating softness/hardness of the graphite core. The HB designation is how many other parts of the world grade pencil graphite B, HB, 1B, 2B, 1H, 2H, etc. The American #2 is pretty much the same as an HB, and since many pencils are sold in multiple countries now, they use the designation 2HB. But the funny part is that there is now real standard among manufacturers in formulating a #2 core. Some have a little more graphite and a little less clay, others it's vice-versa or they include other additives to make the core stronger, etc. So, not all #2 or HB pencils are equal. If you like a pencil with a darker line (more graphite, less clay) you can look for a #1 pencil, or there are some #2 pencils that have a darker line. Most recently I picked up some very inexpensive Pen+Gear pencils from WalMart - they are made in India and labeled #2/HB, but they have a nice dark line. If you want an American made pencil, the Musgrave Pencil Company in Tennessee has a great website with a variety of pencils - some are very dark like the News 600 and the Test Scoring Pencil. There's a big variety out there - hopefully you can find one you like! Thanks!

[@Old52Guy]

@@AlwaysAnalog Thank you very much! The WalMart lead surprises me, but it is a good surprise. Take care!

[@staxofpax1430]

The Eberhard Faber that says jet black is an Ebony I believe. They have a large core like that.

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Thanks for letting me know, Stax of Pax!

[@TuckerSP2011]

Hi Kevin, I worked in Land Surveying and Engineering for 28 years. One really fun aspect of it was that I was not only a draftsman but was in charge of all of the records. We had over 100 years of land surveys and field notes. We had tons of vintage pencils, erasers and drafting implements in our files. A very fun discovery that I made was that in the front of most of the field books which the surveyors took out in the field were old pieces of sandpaper affixed to the inside cover. They would sharpen their pencils with their pen knives and then hone them to a fine point with the sandpaper. Some of their books even would have a pencil attached with a piece of baker's twine. A few even had small triangles and erasing shields attached to them too. Their drafting was impeccable so that once back in the office, there could be no doubt as to the measurements. Later books from the fifties saw one surveyor's party chief draw very comical sketches of his co-workers and derogatory sketches of the stingy boss with money flying out of his pockets. I had about 10 of these books. These are still saved lovingly to this day by the young man who bought the records. The pencil with the dark blue lead was probably used to sketch out something roughly until it could be inked in later. These pencils did not produce a line that blueprint machines could pick up.

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Hi TuckerSP2011 - what a great story! So interesting how they would sharpen their pencils while out in the field. Those were the days when people could do all that work without the aid of a computer - a real skill! Those sketches of people working in the office sound fun! What a great discovery! thanks for sharing it all!

[@OldeHadleyVintage]

Hi Kev! Wow what a SUPER discovery!!! My Grampy had a box like that filled with pencils when I was a young boy I remember going thru it! Dang I wish I had it still!!! It was so enjoyable to see and to think that many may still exist but would be significant of the areas the box would be found! Such as yours from the Detroit area! 😃 I did have a thought that sometimes worked for me... if you hold the tip of a pen to a candle flame it will sometimes get the “ball rolling” again on an old pen! Gentle and quickly enough where as it won’t melt the surrounding plastic of course. You may want to try that if you didn’t already discard those. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!! ❤️❤️ Hugs- Jeff xo

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Hi Jeff!! I'll bet your grandpa had some neat old pencils! I tried the "flame" trick with a couple of the pens, but the ink is completely dried out. If I put in a new ink tube they would work fine. Thanks so much for watching!!

[@Crazytesseract]

Once the solvent completely evaporates, nothing can be done (40 years is a long time). The heating works only if only there is some dried ink close to the tip, and the liquid ink above can flow.

[@DinnerForkTongue]

Old pencils are a lot of fun. I remember rummaging through my older brothers' school supplies and finding a ton of pencils of all varieties, brands and company engravings. Most were non-engraved CIS (common brand over here) black pencils but sometimes I found a novelty such as a pencil with a multiplication table or even a calendar. I think I even used a few in my own school years, but not too often because the wood of the barrel tended to splinter when I used my sharpeners. It wasn't 50 years of storage, but just like here, the pencils worked perfectly fine but the pens were all dead and dry. Even heating up the nibs on a flame didn't start them back up. Guess in the Mad Max universe, everyone writes using graphite... :P Now the pencils hold up fine, but I bet the mechanical pencils are just like new and you could use them long-term perfectly fine if you could supply them with the leads they're chambered for. If only our civilisation hadn't switched to mostly digital, they'd be legitimate heirlooms for mathematicians and engineers just like fountain pens. Digressions aside, this was a very neat time capsule from decades past when people wrote by hand and wrote a lot. Thank you for sharing it with us!

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Thanks, Dinner-fork tongue! There was nothing but hard, dried up ink in the pens - completely unusable. But the pencils, still going strong. The mechanical pencils I tried still worked fine - my father was a mechanical engineer and a pencil was a tool of the trade. In another box I found an old slide-rule of his - another tool from a bygone era. Dad could do what computers do now with a pencil and paper - it took him longer, but he could always figure it out! You're right about the Mad Max universe - those with the pencils will have the power! :-)

[@michaelcase8574]

Blue pencils were used by editors at publishing houses among other venues. That one looks a little big.

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Thanks for the info, Michael!

[@mriverlands9584]

I wonder if the 2/3 means that it's halfway between a No. 2 and No. 3 - Like a 2.5 or F.

[@AlwaysAnalog]

I think you are right - a little harder than a standard No. 2. It was an interesting way to number it. Thanks!

[@jimmyk7527]

Can you write a book of just you writing anything, your penmanship is superior and make and audio book on it as well you tell great stories. You have a ton of talent…

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Thank you, jimmyk. Maybe someday I will!

[@arceus2775]

I was surprised to see those mechanical pencils write

[@ditto6330]

I am still wondering How much they are worth? There a great memory to pass down generations! There is got to be a family member who will value them like I do. You have a awesome writing! How beautiful! Thanks for sharing?

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Hi Ditto - these pencils don't really have any monetary value. They are all pretty worn and in rough shape, but the do have much personal value because they belonged to my father and grandfather. Thanks!

[@ditto6330]

Your right! I am happy to hear you continue to share their memories. I really appreciate you sharing your story and taking time to answer! I thank you and sending all my blessings!

[@salliemorrill2671]

I lived Venus. Great pencils, cool ferrules.

[@tamasszabo8490]

It took me back to the beautiful world of my childhood, thank you from the bottom of my heart! But I would have smelled it...

[@AlwaysAnalog]

These old pencils did have a wonderful smell!

[@mriverlands9584]

Schrafft Menu from New York Worlds Fair 1964 - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schrafft%27s_(restaurant_chain)#/media/File:2016-04_Menu_.jpg

[@AlwaysAnalog]

What a great menu!! So much of the offerings sound so good and really reflect the era - wish I could have been there! Thanks so much!!

[@domciancibelli]

Many times holding the pen tip in very hot water will clear the tip to release the ink inside.

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Hi Dominic - that's a good tip, thanks! These pens were sold old the ink actually dried up and evaporated!

[@catolicaapostolicayromana7614]

Wonderful

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Thanks for watching!

[@paulwoodford6229]

They should be in a museum 😋

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Hi Paul - thanks. I wonder if there is a pencil museum somewhere in the world?

[@adariushickmon293]

Them pencils just as old

[@tfsuper]

Cool Channel. Question, Has anyone ever told you you sound like Tom Selleck?

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Glad you enjoy the channel! Yes,, a number of people have told me that over the years. I guess I don't hear myself the same way, but I do like Tome Selleck's voice, so thank you!

[@mrs.selfdestruct5332]

My great grandparents used to have vintage pencils and I stumbled across the garage and I found vintage pencils that were my great grandparents so also my dad is also a very good artist he can draw just about anything he wants as well to so me and my family live in Lake Fenton Genesee county Michigan (always. analog) 📼

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Sounds like you found some great vintage pencils! I'm also in Michigan in Sanilac County!

[@mrs.selfdestruct5332]

Michigan is a special state and it’s referred to the Wolverine State-the Great Lakes State- the mitten state,- water, winter wonderland -the loon, bird state .. the states :population 10 million people .

[@camiiii31]

love it!!

[@camiiii31]

your videos deserve more views!

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Glad you enjoyed the video, Camille! Thanks for watching!

[@LouiesWorkshop]

One of my favorite jokes of all time is "After sending astronauts to space, the US realized their ballpoint pens were useless. This was the 1960s-the height of the space race-so NASA spent an absurd amount of money to develop a pen that works in zero gravity. Rumored to cost at least $1 million (about $9 million in today’s dollars), the “space pen” can write upside down, at extreme temperatures, and even underwater. This feat of American inventiveness allowed astronauts to write in space. Faced with a similar problem, the Russians used a pencil."

[@AlwaysAnalog]

LOL! Thanks for that story, Louie! We were determined to have a ballpoint pen that worked in space! Why they didn't consider a pencil instead is a mystery. Thanks!

[@attentiveears6018]

WOW!!

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Thanks!

[@erikspolyssov4772]

Dear Kevin can you send some pencils my way if you don't mind?

[@AP-bo2pr]

wow

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Thanks, A P!