tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21054185.post114055284410994159..comments2023-08-03T07:18:04.680-04:00Comments on Geek Like Me, Too: Pencil FetishPaul R. Pottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04401509483200614806noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21054185.post-20172782915134852082007-08-19T11:06:00.000-04:002007-08-19T11:06:00.000-04:00Thanks for your comment! I am glad there are other...Thanks for your comment! I am glad there are other people out there who can get as obsessed about the qualities of writing instruments as much as I do.<BR/><BR/>I have also tried the Pilot razor points and Staedtler pigment pens. They are OK but don't quite have the same feel as the hollow-tip liquid ink pens. I don't have any really good suggestions for a case for the Rotring pencils but I will have to experiment.Paul R. Pottshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04401509483200614806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21054185.post-86992535207554591012007-08-09T15:04:00.000-04:002007-08-09T15:04:00.000-04:00I happened on your year old blog post when researc...I happened on your year old blog post when researching something about my Rotring pencil and we had such common writing interests I just had to comment. <BR/><BR/>I just got a Rotring 600 .35mm pencil for about $40 from penwish.com. They are not too hard to find at a few dealers and on ebay. You mention difficulty finding lead, but from what I've read and found so far myself it works fine with .3mm lead, which is a standard size. (Some say it is actually the exact same size... .) I just ordered a batch of leads across the entire hardness range. I think I'm going to prefer H or maybe 2H to HB. But I also got some soft ones just out of curiosity. <BR/><BR/>And I also use a Rotring technical pen for ordinary writing. I think the model you discuss has been replaced by the Rapidograph, which I have, and which does not require replacing the tip with the ink cartridge. I have the .18 and yes it can be scratchy and the ink can clog at the beginning of the day. But writing smaller lets me write faster. <BR/><BR/>Actually, I got into these writing instruments out of almost medical necessity. I have a definite dysgraphia, and for most of my life handwriting has caused me painful cramping or seizing in my hand and forearm. (Though I can handle, say, a micro screwdriver with no problem... .) I finally started experimenting and found that felt tip pens avoid most of the discomfort. I started with Pilot Razor Point. I still have them for general scribbling, but I prefer a finer line--for speed and I don't know maybe comfort too. That lead me to the Staedtler 0.05 Pigment Liner. It's pretty fine, but could be finer. And the tip wears out very fast. From there I got the techincal pen. I don't know what it is about these pens that helps me. Maybe it's the friction (and thus the harder pencil leads). But I definitely like as fine as possible. I'm thinking of trying the tungsten point when it's time for a replacement. They're about $40 and meant for Mylar film or whatever professional drafters use. I'm hoping it might be smoother on paper. Also, I think they get even finer, maybe a .12. I should probably try something a bit wider too, just to see how much smoothness gain there is. <BR/><BR/>Back to the Rotring pencil. you mention its being indestructible, but I've found a few accounts online of people dropping theirs and bending the tip and having to trash it. I'm pretty scared of that happening at this point and almost can't bring myself to bring it to school. I haven't been able to find a decent pencil tin. I found metal cigar tube cases for $15 to $20--would that be overinvestment? Or if I can find a cigar locally that comes in a cheaper aluminum tube that could work. But then I think the perfect solution hit me: toothbrush cases/boxes. I'm heading to Walgreens this afternoon to find one. <BR/><BR/>Oh yeah--the exact way I found this post was googling for replacement tips for the Rotring, for a spare. There don't seem to be any. I wish that if they couldn't make it retractable and well built enough that they at least gave a screw on cap. Okay, now my "comment" is probably longer than the actual post. ...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com