DIYbanter - View Single Post

wrote:
I'm with Robatoy. I use #2 pencils all the time for just about
everything. They are so cheap at the dollar store and when the back to
school sales go on that I stock up.

They have to be wood; NO plastic or composite. Must be #2, and I like
the round ones when I can find them but 'ol yeller works fine.

I keep a small pen knife that is razor sharp (aka: splinter removal
tool) for sharpening my pencils. If I need something hair fine, I put
that point on the pencil and usually get two marks out of it before
resharpening. Who cares if you burn a pencil or two a day?

I sounds like you just need more consistent practice and you will be
fine cutting your marks.

Robert

I'm sympathetic to the esthetic appeal of using a real wood pencil, but
I've become quite fond of using a cheap (few dollars for a dozen) .5 mm
mechanical pencil. It stays sharp all the time and marks a fairly fine
line. Yes, you'll break the lead frequently, but you can feed more out
with one hand and keep going.

I use a .7mm when I don't need the precision. It doesn't break as
easily.

The downside, I can't get one to stay on my ear!

Tom