I have to say that I have been using the Ticonderoga Blacks for the past week and I am really enjoying them. Oddly, I find that my LG diagramming has been MUCH neater since I began using them -- odd. Anyway, I feel more comfortable writing with these pencils and that is enough to convert me.
Obviously, I don't expect any sort of score increase merely form pencil choice, but just like doctors and waiters give thought to their shoe choice, LSAT preppers may consider giving thought to their pencil choice. : )
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117 comments
This thread has corrupted me. I lost the battle with temptation, and purchased at least one of nearly every pencil in this thread...
Would anyone be interested in seeing my test pictures/reviews for each?
At this point, I've used each pencil on at least one full section of Logic Games. Here's the exhaustive list:
Palomino Blackwing
Palomino Blackwing 602
Palomino Blackwing Pearl*
Palomino Golden Bear Blue
Palomino Golden Bear Orange Jumbo #2
Palomino Forest Choice #2*
Staedtler Norica
Staedtler Wopex
Mitsubishi 9850 HB*
Mitsubishi Hi Uni HB*
Dixon Ticonderoga
Dixon Ticonderoga Black
Dixon Tri-Conderoga
My First Ticonderoga
Caran d'Ache Grafwood H
Faber Castell 9000 B*
General's Cedar Pointe #333 - 2HB
Musgrave Pencil Co. Test Scoring 100*
I went ahead and put stars next to the models that performed best. Each had strengths and weaknesses, though the Mitsubishi Hi Uni HB and Mitsubishi 9850 HB stood out as first and second place finishers respectively.
No matter how well a pencil performed, I found the need to sharpen multiple times per section. All of the pencils chipped or broke at some point: some in ways that unremarkably altered performance, others hindering progress to the extent of chunks of lead flying out. I recommend avoiding this variance altogether by having at least six sharpened pencils prepared for each Logic Games section. Drawing some light squiggles before using the pencils in action can drastically lower the chances of breakage.
As mentioned earlier, I'm happy to give comprehensive reviews of each model or certain individuals if there is any significant interest. I'd like to review a few more models down the road (particularly Towbow pencils) so let me know if you have any particular requests. Enjoy your procrastination!
@jacobabellotharp17 said:
I was having issues with sharpeners but no more. Palomino Blackwing FTW :smiley:
Yeah, that long point sharpener is the best! My* point lasts like 30% longer when I use it!
a side note to everyone on this thread:
i'm sitting for the lsat on monday. it's been six long months of study and preparation. you all have been my rock. whenever i've felt the creep of burnout, frustration, discouragement, or just needed a good laugh i've turned to this thread for a moment of levitity. it has been a gentle reminder to not take anything too seriously and to take the most trivial of things very seriously.
when i sit down to take the test on monday the first thing i'll do is set out seven (1 for the answer sheet information bubbling, 5 for each section, and 1 for the writing sample) freshly sharpened royal blue palomino golden bear #2/hb pencils and i'll think of you all. i'll laugh and then take the test.
thanks for the support, the distraction, and the encouragement! i'll see you all in year 1!
@uhinberg359 @shanedrider779 @elliottscott8814 @stepharizona288 @marine4life6798246 @kevinmseguin181
oh god, don't get me started. I read through every pencil thread on here AND tls. I spent hours researching pencils. I added every recommendation to my cart on amazon because I thought I would try everything out and pick from there. Ideally I'd have a pencil for LG (diagramming - needs to be sharp and hold its point well) and another for the rest of the test that might be a little more dull that bubbles extremely well (gotta save that .5 second on shading, bro).
Well, it turns out I added over $150 worth of pencils to my cart. Too expensive to test everything. Decided to check the local office stores and see if I can crack a box open and get a free demo; this would maybe eliminate my list in half, which I would deem as a justified experimentation expense. News flash, they don't stock good (read: exotic) pencils. They stock their name brand garbage pencils, and like basic ticonderoga's. No blacks, no tri's, no "my first ticonderoga", no uni hi-uni's, no staedtler mars/norica's/wopex, nothing.
I'm hesitant to order anything because it's literally personal preference and nobody's opinion carries any more weight than anyone elses. I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.
@elliottscott8814 @uhinberg359 @shanedrider779
this thread is my procrastination drug of choice, but i feel like i am always on here trying to stir up controversy.... see my previous comments about the palomino golden bear and the g2 07. everytime i do so you all respond with support and kindness. it is time for me to bring a little positivity to the discussion too!
i kindly offer to mail a twelve pack of royal blue palomino golden bear #2/hb pencils to the first person in this thread to break 170 on a preptest. i'll cover the shipping; just send me a direct message with your address. trust is implied... if you have already hit 170 or feel like lying about it to get a free pack of pencils that's between you and yourself.
i also have a pack of sharpened dixon ticonderoga #2/hb pencils (27 total pencils) and a pack of sharpened staedtler norica #2/hb pencils (33 total pencils) that i'll never use. i think the quality of these pencils disqualifies them as prizes for hitting a preptest goal. however, if anyone is willing to take one of the most important tests of their life with an inferior pencil, then i'll happily mail them to you. again, i'll cover the cost of shipping.
now, back to my sunday blind review...
This is still going on?! Y'all are crazy...it's a pencil! But to each their own I guess...We all need a weapon that we feel will allow us to be triumphant in battle :)
@uhinberg359
i think you are studying full time now if i remember correctly from some other discussion threads. you may, now blessed with unlimited study time, be looking for a way to procrastinate while still feeling productive. if so, i'm going to highly recommend that you expend a little cash to test out a new pencil.
after this thread appeared i bought some of the staedtler norica hb2's (in black obviously) and tested them out. they are not for me! first of all, they are way too light. it's like eating a ny steak with a plastic fork. also, i've found the end of the lead to dull really quickly. i'm half way through a LG section with them and i either need to pick up another pre-sharpened one or pause to sharpen it because i can't write with small precision anymore. maybe i release my test stress by pressing too hard on the page, but still. also, the eraser isn't great. it takes a few passes and smudges the pencil.
so, having now tried your prefered pencil, i'm going to recommend that you give the palomino golden bear a try. amazon currently has them at $8.95 (plus shipping//not prime) for 36. you will not be disappointed. the point is perfect and sturdy. i've also discovered that when sharpened with the long point double sharpener you are able to keep a sharp tip even as it wears down during a section. this is such a small detail and might have more to do with how i hold a pencil, but it's nice for drawing small game boards quickly deep in a LG section. the eraser on the golden bear is so efficient. takes one, maybe two passes to work.
i'll put the difference in terms you might relate to: the staedtler norica is a very nice midsize sedan. the fuel economy is good. it's got anti-lock brakes and maybe even a satellite radio option. but take it over 75mph and you'll feel it start to shake. it's just not made for that type of performance. the palomino golden bear is a two seat roadster with all wheel drive. sleek and perfectly engineered it is designed for high performance. at high speeds (the end of an LG section in this elaborate and completely unnecessary metaphor) it hugs the road and makes you feel even more secure.
i promise you that i do not work for or have any affiliation to the palomino brand, any of its subsidiaries, or distributors. just my own excuses for procrastinating.
https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Bear-Orange-Pencils-Pack/dp/B00K0WPTOK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492553100&sr=8-1&keywords=palomino+golden+bear
@ianmatthewharris949 said:
i'm a sucker for aesthetics and brand continuity so it's a palomino blackwing sharpener with palomino golden bear blue #2 pencils... five sharpened and ready to go before every prep-test.
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5144ee05e4b033f38037f73d/t/53460e42e4b0a8c99178cf64/1433777673257/
That sharpener though! Even with other pencils, the long-point advantage is so clutch. Especially for LG and just the LSAT in general.
When they finally computerize the LSAT in 2025 they'll look back at this thread and laugh at how we cared so much about pencils, haha.
HAHAHAHAHA We were due for another fab pencil thread.
I used to use Papermates for years. Loved them until they changed the lead, so I dropped those like a bad habit.
Then I switched to my first Ticon and couldn't keep the lead sharpened like I like it, so gave those away to an inner city kindergarten class (teachers have to buy the kids' supplies, and they never have enough pencils. It's a very sad state of affairs.)
Then I tried the Tri Ticonderogas, hated the way they sharpen, but loved the grip. Gave those to K class too.
Then I switched to Staedtler's Norica's HB 2's with the Palomino Blackwing sharpener, and I must say, I AM IN LOVE WITH THESE PENCILS!!!
The lead writes perfectly no matter how sharp or dull, AND NEVER BREAKS no matter how hard I press;
the sharpener gives 1/3 more cut than the Staedtler's great sharpener, and
the eraser is not bad---though shouldn't be necessary (I admit, I still need it*).
I heard JY uses these pencils. Just sayin.
*A note about erasers:
For bubbling back up, I have my Pentel hi-polymer eraser that I absolutely adore. Cleanest erase of a deep bubble dent I've ever seen. It even takes away the dent, which is weird.
@uhinberg359
Ordered some wopex pencils to use on my PT tomorrow... thanks for the rec!
Thanks for the insight! I have my palomino coming in the mail. Gotta be mindful of the holes :smirk:
@jkatz1488955 said:
UGH. In a most embarrassing move, i have been misusing my palomino sharpener since the day i got it. never read the instructions for hole #1 vs hole #2 (bring on the puns). i've totally worn down the blade and have bought a new sharpener.
Hahaha! Well at least it gave you an excuse to buy a new sharpener ;)
@shanedrider779 HAHA! yup
Decisions, decision. I feel so stupid and aspy spending this much time thinking about pencils. Chances are, most people who do well on this test, just use freaking Ticons.
alright... i sat for the june test. my golden bears performed perfectly. i couldn't have been happier with them.
but this funny thing happened at the test. during the break the person sitting behind me asked if he could borrow my sharpener. "of course!" but it's a palomino blackwing sharpener and he didn't understand how to use the double barrel. i go to help him and realize that this guy only has two pencils. they don't match. one of the pencils has lost its eraser. "dear god," i think to myself. "how could this guy even walk in here so unprepared?"
being a bit of an anxious over-preparer i've brought along seven golden bears. i offer to let him borrow one for the second half of the test. now he's all set up with three freshly sharpened pencils for the last three sections.
at the end of the test i offered to let him keep the golden bear. "no thanks. i'll probably never need another pencil in my life."
i asked him if he had a goal score in mind...
"above average. how about you?" he asks.
"umm..."
"nevermind, i see your pencil set-up. you're going ivy."
i'll take the good wishes, but i swear to god that guy scored a 178. to be that calm... what a dream.
@shanedrider779 said:
Official review: the Triconderoga Triangular #2's are insanely comfortable and the added thickness shaves .000001 seconds off of bubbling time. A+, 10/10, would use again.
.00001 Damn. Idk though, with the sharpening time I'm saving on my Wopex I think time wise I'm in the lead ;)
@jkatz1488955 said:
After wrestling with my $0.99 sharpener from Walgreens for the past 10 minutes, I have given in to a full makeover...
Then I switched to Staedtler's Norica's HB 2's with the Palomino Blackwing sharpener, and I must say, I AM IN LOVE WITH THESE PENCILS!!!
Placed an Amazon order for @kevinmseguin181 weapons of choice.
LoL Pencil nerds, unite! (3(/p)
After wrestling with my $0.99 sharpener from Walgreens for the past 10 minutes, I have given in to a full makeover...
Then I switched to Staedtler's Norica's HB 2's with the Palomino Blackwing sharpener, and I must say, I AM IN LOVE WITH THESE PENCILS!!!
Placed an Amazon order for @kevinmseguin181 weapons of choice.
@elliottscott8814 i'm applying for fall of 2018...
everyone else?
i'm really hoping that in my first class of year 1 someone sees my palomino golden bear and walks up to say, "so you're the jerk who couldn't stand for the noricas."
@uhinberg359 said:
@elliottscott8814 Yeah they are exactly the same. If you look inside of the Palomino Blackwing long point sharpener, it actually says "KUM" on the metal casing inside.
Just noticed that! Thanks! Had I known this before I could have saved myself about 20 bucks by now. My dog keeps breaking them so I had to keep buying new ones for a while. Now I have just learned to put it inside my desk drawer rather than risk it.
@kevinmseguin181 said:
@marine4life6798246 I like them so far, and I love my Noricas (only problem is that they dull quickly). And for the price, it doesn't hurt to give the Staedtler Rallies a try!
I've seen these in office supply stores but never really given them a try. I'm curious and might give these a try. I gotta say though, with how long the Wopex lasts, I don't think anything can beat it. I swear to god I can do an entire PT comfortably with one, whereas it took me 3-4 Noricas to complete a test.
@cvo1879 said:
I just need to vent my sadness at the unavailability of mechanical pencils on the LSAT. Maybe it's my engineering background, but I love the ever-sharpness and convenience of mechs. Even the best of the wooden cousin feels to me like using a slingshot when I'm trained for a crossbow.
Anybody know of a brand/model that feels or writes even remotely like a mechanical pencil?
PS. This thread proves that procrastination is a fickle bitch who comes for us all when LSAT day looms!
No procrastination here. I just love writing supplies :)
Have you guys ever written with a nice monte blanc or cross pen? :)
Pilots G-2s are nice, but I tend to stay away from gel pens due to being a lefty and smudging.
@uhinberg359 said:
I miss the simpler days when I only have to worry about what pens to use.
I think you meant to say, the simpler days [when you just used your Pilot G-2 05 and didn't have to think about which writing utensil to use because this is the god tier choice]
@kevinmseguin181 said:
@ianmatthewharris949 said:
@uhinberg359
so, having now tried your prefered pencil, i'm going to recommend that you give the palomino golden bear a try. amazon currently has them at $8.95 (plus shipping//not prime) for 36. you will not be disappointed. the point is perfect and sturdy. i've also discovered that when sharpened with the long point double sharpener you are able to keep a sharp tip even as it wears down during a section.
https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Bear-Orange-Pencils-Pack/dp/B00K0WPTOK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492553100&sr=8-1&keywords=palomino+golden+bear
I have to second @ianmatthewharris949' recommendation. I've tried several of the Ticonderogas and the blue Noricas, but the Golden Bear has the most balance. It is darkish (certainly not light), sturdy, and well-paired with the Palomino Blackwing sharpener. I'm not crazy about orange, but this is a tool that works!
I must have close to 200+ pencils at this point, lol. But If I come across one, I'll definitely give it a try.
I miss the simpler days when I only have to worry about what pens to use.