rygD
Nihilistic Mystic
Since a couple of us discuss some of the little things we like from time to time I figured I should just make a thread. It will also help me keep track of these things when I want more info later.
In response to stuff from over here.
The story about the ruler, or rather the breaking of other ones, sounds familiar enough. Stupid people do stupid things, and it is sometimes worth the risk to preserve something from being destroyed for "fun" (or "art"...like the typewriter key cutting bastards).
I found the space pen I currently use (CH4) in a big gravel covered parking lot type area about 6 or 7 years ago. It had obviously been run over a few times, but since it worked I used it. I had broken and lost a few other lesser space pens, so I figured I would use this one until the same happened to it. The chrome is wearing off, but it is otherwise doing great. I have been thinking of getting a B4 (or G4 even though I usually don't like gold colored things) for use when my other pens are a bit too rough looking. I am a bit picky, but not as bad as some out there, and a typical ballpoint or fountain pen just won't work for me based on when and where I am writing. A pencil probably would...My modified F-701 is fairly balanced, however the CH4 seems to be back heavy. Doesn't matter much to me since I don't do tricks with them. I like the feel of both. The knurling/grippy areas on both are pretty rough on the skin on the back of my ring finger when I hold them a certain way and write for a while.
Perhaps if I had a decent pencil I would use one, I just haven't found one I liked. I usually just use them when I must, and use ink for everything else (mostly sharpies and space pens).
Although the look of your pencil is nice it might be a bit too flashy for me. I would need to see it in person. Also, I don't trust plastic, especially older plastics, and I would feel terrible if I destroyed something old and nice. (If you needed to stab somebody to death could this pencil handle it? Yes, this is how I pick out writing tools now, since most cheap ones will bend or break with a little abuse, and I keep them in my front pants pockets.) I think I used a pencil like that one, but from a few decades later, when I visited my grandmother. If good quality lead is available at reasonable prices I might look into this more.
I thought you weren't really into stuff of this sort from as late as the 30s other than for the higher quality than what we get now. Do you feel like sharing info about the typewriter you mentioned, or is it one we talked about before? After looking up info about the props used in Naked Lunch I started looking for another one for myself (can't afford it, don't need it), and decided I want 2 more. I had to stop before I looked around too much and got sucked into buying one.
In response to stuff from over here.
The story behind the drafting ruler is I liberated it from my highschool art class where they were using antique drafting supplies from the old drafting room we were in and idiots kept on getting confused by the measurements and snapping rulers in half for fun.. So I must have "accidentally" knocked it into my doctor's bag without realizing it.
Opps, I can be awfully clumsy at times.
Story behind the pencil is I acquired it from a garage/estate sale where an older person died and the family was selling everything that wasn't bolted down. I got a bag of antique pens and pencils and a few cups of pencils sitting on a desk. The total price was 5 dollars for a massive greedy fist size of old antique pencilss
This pencil was NEVER used. it still had its original price tag sticker on it.. theres still a remnant of it on it. The price was 1.50$ So approximately 26$ if translated to todays money.. However I've never seen one like it. I've only seen the green bakelite/celluloid ones and those sell for 50 bucks a pop. This pencil also came with a transparent yellow cheapie one that had a massive crack in it. I took all of the lead from that one.. and put it in this one. I know I still have that cheapie one. I've seen those sell for 8$ on ebay.
I used this pencil in school for a few years straight. I had it in my shirt pocket at all times. I made sure to keep track of it religiously. It was the best pencil I've ever owned. Actually any pencil pre 1960 is worth it. If you ever have a chance to pick up an older pencil and use one.. Try it out. the identification i've found of a good old pencil is if the exposed "Lead" has a slight white coating that appears when they're exposed to air for a long time. Antique pencils sharpen to a amazing point. They never sharpen off centre and the lead stays sharper for about 5x longer. They're a bit harder but they're tough. They're great for drawing. I used this pencil for drawing all of the time. To give you an idea it takes about 3 rotational cranks of a old style pencil sharper to even get close to sharpening a modern pencil, and even then theres a high risk of it being off center or getting screwed up. The antique pencils.. Half a crank and its sharp enough if you tap it it'll draw blood...I'm not kidding. The old 3H lead is astounding quality. the old 2 2/3 HB from velvet is amazing. Some of the smoothest lines. The old generic stuff runs circles around the name brand crap of today.
But my eversharp mechanical pencil. It lasted forever. There was about 3 lead sticks in it..and I got 2 more from the yellow pencil. Those lasted me 2 years of school... I mean writing daily.. and the lead wouldn't break. I feel this is due to the design of the square lead. The tip doesn't allow the lead to spin at all which means you get a firm hold of it, and because its a twist type mechanism you can completely control how much is stuck out at any given time.. which means you can even retract the lead back into the pencil for storage. The pencil is balanced, I can balance it on my pinky if I wanted too, the centre of gravity is approximately the centre of the pencil. It has a strong feel in the hand, its not a brittle thing. Small details of it speak numbers. The knurling on the tip allows for strong grip but without feeling like you can get cut. Theres knurling on the eraser holder, and Eversharp Eraser No.5 is etched onto it. No doubt I can look up that information and find what size of modern eraser I could use to replace the old original one in it. The black cap comes off with ease but won't fall off, the eraser is held in firmly yet also comes out with ease. Theres a metal "grate" on the inside that keeps helps you place in lead. (its has three slots you slide the lead in and keeps the lead on the outside edge.
And the old celluloid/bakelite has a 3D depth to it. This is the best damn pencil I've ever held. Everything else I have placed my hands on (Including 300 dollar new mechanical pencils at stationary stores) seems like shit. This pencil's lead size is more natural then .5 or .7mm the 1.18mm lead which was standard in those days is quite lovely to work with. Its the happy medium you get for about a sentence when dealing with regular pencils... Hence why I think they're called eversharps. These pencils were used for drafting and drawing in the old days and I can see why. I actually got these leads to draw with.
Shelling out 36 dollars to have a years supply of lead for this pencil is worth it. Without a doubt. If I see more NOS lead and I have the spare money around I will purchase it.
I wasn't expecting me to go on for so long about a pencil manufactured around 1935.... hmm my typerwriter is from 1936.. I'm starting to notice a trend here. Both from the thirties and both I got for about the total price of 50 cents.
The story about the ruler, or rather the breaking of other ones, sounds familiar enough. Stupid people do stupid things, and it is sometimes worth the risk to preserve something from being destroyed for "fun" (or "art"...like the typewriter key cutting bastards).
I found the space pen I currently use (CH4) in a big gravel covered parking lot type area about 6 or 7 years ago. It had obviously been run over a few times, but since it worked I used it. I had broken and lost a few other lesser space pens, so I figured I would use this one until the same happened to it. The chrome is wearing off, but it is otherwise doing great. I have been thinking of getting a B4 (or G4 even though I usually don't like gold colored things) for use when my other pens are a bit too rough looking. I am a bit picky, but not as bad as some out there, and a typical ballpoint or fountain pen just won't work for me based on when and where I am writing. A pencil probably would...My modified F-701 is fairly balanced, however the CH4 seems to be back heavy. Doesn't matter much to me since I don't do tricks with them. I like the feel of both. The knurling/grippy areas on both are pretty rough on the skin on the back of my ring finger when I hold them a certain way and write for a while.
Perhaps if I had a decent pencil I would use one, I just haven't found one I liked. I usually just use them when I must, and use ink for everything else (mostly sharpies and space pens).
Although the look of your pencil is nice it might be a bit too flashy for me. I would need to see it in person. Also, I don't trust plastic, especially older plastics, and I would feel terrible if I destroyed something old and nice. (If you needed to stab somebody to death could this pencil handle it? Yes, this is how I pick out writing tools now, since most cheap ones will bend or break with a little abuse, and I keep them in my front pants pockets.) I think I used a pencil like that one, but from a few decades later, when I visited my grandmother. If good quality lead is available at reasonable prices I might look into this more.
I thought you weren't really into stuff of this sort from as late as the 30s other than for the higher quality than what we get now. Do you feel like sharing info about the typewriter you mentioned, or is it one we talked about before? After looking up info about the props used in Naked Lunch I started looking for another one for myself (can't afford it, don't need it), and decided I want 2 more. I had to stop before I looked around too much and got sucked into buying one.
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) a 1970's panasonic radio/record player where only the right channel works.. and a custom early 60's one used for actual sound systems for like balls, musical halls and such, made by a company in hollywood has the wiring diagram IN the casing, and even has a port for AUX in for microphones and guitars and such.. That one plays records beautifully very crisp and clear. My fiance has that one and uses it constantly to play opera records on it.
