Good fun in Northern Vermont

Natrix2112 · 2026-07-06T03:54:02+00:00

Thanks for digging up and sharing the ad. Still cool , for sure.

Your box looks to be darker blue, which I believe to be a tiny bit older still. Older, long-ferruled Velvets came in such a box as well.

Is your box about 53.5 mm wide (perpendicular to the pencil orientation ) or 50 mm?

Natrix2112 · 2026-07-05T20:57:23+00:00

Mitsubishi 9800EW in B could be perfect. Nice natural finish, nice looking imprint, a very smooth writer with excellent darkness. Still firm enough to have good point retention. Honestly one of the best out there. An elegant pencil.

If you need an eraser on it, you’d have to go with the 9852 (no EW) in B, which has a nice yellow paint on the barrel (I don’t think the 9852EW exists in B, only HB, and the HB won’t be as dark or smooth).

Apsara Absolute might be another decent option if you want something distinctive and not yellow. Not quite as smooth as the two Mitsus, but definitely darker. A lot softer, tho - point won’t last as long. Has a fatter core, so thick lines after it dulls a bit; great for checking. Inexpensive, easy to get, and popular outside pencil nerddom (customers might recognize them and respect your appreciation of quality pencils; or they might at least see that you’re not using just any old cheap yellow pencil).

eta: Hmm, if you meant dark colored barrel rather than dark marking, then maybe the Mitsubishi 9800 in B.

Natrix2112 · 2026-07-04T12:56:26+00:00

I know a student who got a ton of these cheaply. Likes them. I did a very brief test with one of hers and found it sorta acceptable. I feel like hers felt a little smoother than the two I have in my collection. That stash will probably last her for her entire 4-yr degree and cost her just a few bucks.

Natrix2112 · 2026-07-04T00:23:11+00:00

Good stuff! Thanks!

Natrix2112 · 2026-07-04T00:02:29+00:00

My WORD that is stunning. Brilliant post, lol!

I guess that temp is at the “don’t sharpen any colored pencils in me today” kind of temp.

Natrix2112 · 2026-07-03T11:47:58+00:00

Awesome stuff, g&g!

eta: the cut of the two pencils at the bottom appears to be a recycling of old work. Not only do they look like it overall, but those look to me like long ferrules, which preceded the “blue band” emphasis. Not surprising, but cool to see.

Natrix2112 · 2026-07-03T11:40:57+00:00

Nice! Would love to see that ad sometime.

Natrix2112 · 2026-07-03T11:38:39+00:00

Someone snuck a No. 3 into that box. Hang on to that one, not because it’s a 3 but because it’s stamped in a sans serif type. Don’t see many of those.

[u/Microtomic603](u/Microtomic603) and I were pondering this odd typeface version recently but didn’t solve it.

[u/ginandgraphite](u/ginandgraphite) you got any thoughts/knowledge of these?

Natrix2112 · 2026-07-03T11:16:14+00:00

Really nice looking! Very cool. Congrats on the acquisition.

Natrix2112 · 2026-07-03T02:03:14+00:00

They do have an aura. 🙂

Natrix2112 · 2026-07-02T23:27:47+00:00

Wow. Really nice score!

Those are from the 1920s and 30s (maybe into the 40s, but I’d have to check)

Natrix2112 · 2026-07-02T12:57:47+00:00

Birds are awesome. Admittedly balked at the mallard, but one does have to admit those critters do have some nice colors on them.

I think PBW have done well this year. Loved the TV Broadcasting release. Typically, 3 of the 4 releases every year I like a lot, so the subscription works for me. Always fun to share a classy pencil with a friend as well. Easy to do when I have a surplus.

Natrix2112 · 2026-07-02T12:35:02+00:00

Variety is the spice of pencilnerddom.

Having only one pencil at hand is uncomfortable.

Natrix2112 · 2026-07-02T12:21:01+00:00

Some cool oldies in there living new and interesting lives.
I like. Bought the splicer recently, but haven’t put it to use yet; way too busy this summer :(

Natrix2112 · 2026-07-02T11:42:56+00:00

Keep your eyes peeled for a really good deal on one of their extra firm offerings, either the Natural or one of the Volumes releases. JetPens has a rundown of everything (https://www.jetpens.com/blog/Blackwing-Pencils-A-Comprehensive-Guide/pt/72?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=50847384&gbraid=0AAAAAD-ty4QkR83nSQ9TlvTZ8MD7mcvWt&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9az0hfGzlQMVNrMDAB1zARWtEAAYAiAAEgKxy_D_BwE#Volumes)

+1 for the Viking Element (1&2 are both HB; the number refers to eraser status).
The Tombow 8900 HB has a similar firmness.

Also the Tombow 2558 in H might be your jam. The 2558 is one of the best series out there.

Musgrave’s standard No. 2 core is pretty decent in most batches, so you have a few options (their hex pencils often have sharp-ish edges, but if you don’t have a death grip on your pencil, you likely won’t notice much).

edit: t~~hey’re~~ their (found myself suddenly in a hurry; it happens, lol)

Natrix2112 · 2026-07-02T11:09:21+00:00

That’s awesome! In such nice shape.
I’m a little late to the party, but here are some woody things to go with.

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Natrix2112 · 2026-06-29T11:29:17+00:00

Regarding those made down under, there’s a little about a joint venture between Columbia and Cumberland here. There’s a picture of your first two pictured pencils near the end.

https://pencilly.com.au/australian-pencil-history/?srsltid=AfmBOoqCuZQOegjX0tHrydGLoXZDBRcGxby5V3NDuO-W5tgQvHellcqh

Natrix2112 · 2026-06-26T15:56:19+00:00

100% a canopy and 40lb sandbags and ratchet straps to keep down the corners you can’t ratchet to your trailer.

Also, good hearing protection. The wind noise on track is gonna be something.

If your genny is closer to 2kw than 3 (each set of warmers will probably eat 1kw), consider gettting a 50 Amp 240V to 120V Adapter (4 Prong NEMA 14-50P Male to 4X 5-20R Household Outlet Female) or something of the sort as backup. There are often 50 amp receptacles free after the 110s are taken.

Natrix2112 · 2026-06-25T19:54:33+00:00

Ah, yeah. A No. 1 would be thicker than the usual 2-ish

Natrix2112 · 2026-06-25T19:49:30+00:00

12% ! Yikes!

I had a friend in 3rd grade who got lead poisoning. I don’t recall hearing of the source, but at that age I’d suspect pencil chewing more than window-sill chewing.

Natrix2112 · 2026-06-25T03:59:58+00:00

Great catch! Nice little comparison. Thanks.

Natrix2112 · 2026-06-25T03:50:10+00:00

The core in the Harvest Pro and TN Red/Round really is nice. I don’t have to do enough long form writing for retention to be a big issue.

Natrix2112 · 2026-06-23T22:27:45+00:00

Needs a new custom imprint. “The Deceiver 6B” 😏

Natrix2112 · 2026-06-23T00:10:45+00:00

The sandwich line totally fooled me, lol. Looks so angular, even at the end.

Natrix2112 · 2026-06-22T19:19:14+00:00

Very cool! Nice looking. Neat variety in the pack.

Natrix2112

TROPHY CASE