Vintage Sanford Mirado 1B Pencil Review

[@ma-mo]

A classic pencil that's been a quality writer through many decades and iterations. Thanks, Kevin!

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Agreed! Thanks so much, MAMO!

[@user-bs7kr2zx6l]

You have such nice handwriting, Kevin -- I'd really like to ask you, if it's legal to do, if you would highlight your favorite vintage music albums, such as Don Costa, Moods, that you featured on a early Cavalcade episode - maybe introduce the album and if possible record it for us to here. Thanks for any consideration.

[@LouiesWorkshop]

I got a Mirado classic number 1 a few years ago. It was a 2B but still a number one. An excellent pencil and they're getting hard to find.

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Hi Louie - these are getting more scarce. I'm glad you found one! Thanks!

[@ArthropodSpidey]

Great video. I miss the days when pencils manufactured in America were the norm and not the exception. I remember using the Sanford EarthWrite in school. Lots of great memories with the Papermate Mirado as well (including the surprise that the eraser on the end of it was a Pink Pearl).

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Hi AnthropodSpidey - I still have a couple of those Sandford EarthWrite pencils. I always liked them. Unfortunately, manufacturing and labor costs are too high in the US and the large corporations that make pencils are focused on making as much profit as possible. I hope our remaining three pencil manufacturers can survive long-term. Thanks!

[@AlexanderCrump]

The Mirados were and are super smooth writers because of the waxed graphite leads.

[@CRxTRDud3]

This I can agree on especially with these brands like the Mirado, Venus Velvet and their counterparts, especially their older models. They really advertise their *colloidal process* and stuff, but basically they are just their application of compounds like wax to make them smoother while giving them ample strength. Though I cannot say with the modern pencils made overseas, the Japanese ones I can sure say they are waxed as they are softer and smoother than their western counterparts, benefiting from years of competition and research. But this process is kinda an open secret thing. It depends on how they want their pencils to be marketed I guess ...

[@AlexanderCrump]

@@CRxTRDud3 Berol produced some really nice pencils in the '70s through the '90s and beyond. I was a school age kid with a pen and pencil fetish in the '70s and I remember all the variations. The Turquoise was basically a Mirado, and a very few of those Turquoises had end cap erasers. They were about the same quality lead as the Mirado - super smooth and a joy to write with and erased completely. I also liked the much maligned EPCON plastic compounded pencils that Berol produced en masse through the early '90s. They were extremely smooth and wrote better than the modern Staedtler WOPEX pencils. My pencil use these days is mostly limited to a myriad of mechanical pencils and leadholders on my desk, into which I can insert a multitude of wonderful Japanese leads, mostly F, H, and 2H.

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Thanks, Alexander! The graphite formulation made for a smooth writing experience. I also remember those Turquoise pencils and how erasable they were in addition to being fairly smooth. Thanks!

[@AlexanderCrump]

@@AlwaysAnalog My brother worked for a design firm in the '80s, with lots of designers on staff who used up pencils, and the standard pencil in the supply room was the Turquoise with an end cap eraser. Luxury pencils for office use. My dad worked for National Geographic and they had tons of Koh-I-Noor Mephisto pencils in grades 1, 2 and 3 as well as Schwan Stabilo pencils. My dad's office was a kid's dream come true with every kind of pencil and marker available.

[@salliemorrill2671]

Huge Mirado fan! Always found their ferrule appealing. The pencil also had a nice feel & balance to it for drawing. Never knew that the eraser was a Pink Pearl. Hello to Ralph & Mary Ann.

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Hello, Sallie! Hope all is well with you! I also love the ferrule on the Mirado. Always thought it looked handsome. Thanks so much!

[@roxycp6]

Awesome review as always Kevin thank you!!! 😊

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Thanks for watching, Roxy - I appreciate it!

[@HumbleVoyager]

Hi, Kevin! I don't think I have a 1B pencil in my collection. Although I won't be able to find this one, I'll have to experiment with another brand. Maybe Musgrave? Thanks for the video. Have a lovely day and Merry Christmas to you!

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Hi Nancy! I know that Ticonderoga makes a 1B pencil, although I don't think it's especially good. I do like the Harvest #1 from Musgrave and the Cedar Pointe #1 from Generals. Best wishes to you and yours for a Merry Christmas!

[@dhirajdas7]

Hello sir I can't write running hand I just lift my pen can you share some idea to write fluently

[@carolynharmon7074]

✏📝✏📝📝✏📝✏📝✏📝

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Thanks, Carolyn!

[@GenWivern2]

Yellow pencils are not as common here in the UK as in the US, but I have two within reach and sure enough they're both Mirados. One Eagle, one Berol, both decent enough and of course neither has an, ahem, eraser. Sanford seem to have ditched the "Chemi-Sealed" badge and gone for gold rather than silver lettering. Mine will have been purloined from a drawing office unless I miss my guess, so definitely a model considered suitable for professional use. Must say that I find myself looking forward to my weekly dose of analog(ue), thank you very much once again.

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Hi GenWivern2! Thanks for sharing information about your Mirado pencils! The Eagle and later Berol version of this pencil are both excellent! Glad you enjoy the videos - appreciate you watching!

[@CRxTRDud3]

I have an HB version of the Sanford one. Quality wise, it is a good cedar pencil and, as you said, smooth but not *world's smoothest*. Compared to the Berol ones (70s I think is what I have) as well as the 50s Eagle ones that I got, it's a tad hard, but still smooth nevertheless. The eraser can still erase, but albeit I had to really remove a small amount off before it started to work again. Id still give it the same erasability score with it. Its a decent eraser albeit a bit dusty. Surprisingly not crumbly though. I also have a box of those Sanford's that says Newell company back when they have not merged with Rubbermaid, which is weird cause they eventually dropped the Rubbermaid in their overall name and changed back to Newell Brands.

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Thanks, CRxTRDud3- You HB pencil sounds fairly similar to this one. The Eagle are Berol versions are probably a better pencil than the Sanford. Amazing that your eraser still has some life to it! I'm not sure of the timeline for the Sanford- Newell-Rubbermaid mergers and acquisitions, but it is very typical of what happened to ownership of so many companies during the 80's and 90's. Thanks!

[@josephvendetti1330]

A good pencil but not as good as the Eagle/Berol version in my opinion. Its a shame we lost the Mirado,Velvet and Mongol due to the global conglomerate. The Eagle Mirado is one of my favorite all time pencils even in a 2.5 true medium it was still pretty darn smooth as ive never been a fan of #3 and #4 pencils. Always enjoy your videos my friend and Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Hi Joe! I agree - I wish we still had a better variety of new American-made pencils. The Eagle/Berol version is a great pencil! Sending best wishes to you and yours for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[@adityasinha5776]

Review some Indian brand pens

[@AlwaysAnalog]

I have reviewed a couple of Indian pens on this channel, but I don't use pens very often. Thanks!

[@rusenatas3585]

Plase Lyra Osiris 916 2=Hb pencil plase❤

[@AlwaysAnalog]

If I ever come across one I will be happy to review it. Thank you!