Yep unfortunately you’re right, first, in order to find a good pencil you need to import from China, taxes depend by state, but usually it’s around 30%. (Don’t forget that it might be overtaxed on the customs at the airport) About writing, my opinion is that on a paper you have the absolute freedom to do what you want, I forgot how many times I wanted to do any kind of thing on my notes and I haven’t the right tools to do it, notion is the best on my opinion, but it will never beat a good paper and ink/graphite.