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Comments
I had no idea this was a thing until I read this thread. I figured everyone was the standard Ticonderoga user since that's the tried and true gold star winner.
Now I've ordered a 12-pack of Ticonderoga black since that seems to be a consensus good pencil. Only like $3 too!
@RafaelBernard 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!
Can't go wrong with Ticons blacks!
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.
Has anyone tried Staedtler Wopex Pre-Sharpened HB#2 Eco Pencils ?
I know a number of people recommend the Staedtler Norica. Are they a lot different? I really DO NOT like these eco pencils - automatic sharpeners basically eat them and they break easily.
Yeah, these are actually my favs! They last long, have nice weight to them, and write well. Yours are breaking easy? That's odd man.... I've used a lot of pencils and found these to be the strongest and break-resistant out of almost any other pencil. My automatic sharpener wouldn't stop and did eat these up, but I normally use a handheld sharpener to avoid that issue.
the Noricas are also great. The write really nice and dark. The only downside is they dull much more quickly. But if you have a bunch sharpened and ready to go it's not a big deal. In short, they write darker but dull more quickly. They're also considerably lighter and made of wood.
Do you use the wopex with the eraser on it? I really like how dark the Norica writes but I'm not a fan of how quickly they dull. However, the dark aspect of it kind of makes it bearable to write through the first few stages of dullness as opposed to other pencils that aren't dark and therefore have little going for them. The Noricas dull much quicker for me in RC which is predictable. I hate switching pencils during sections because I feel like it eats up time but maybe it's negligible.
Yes, I mostly like the one with the eraser on it. Specifically these: https://www.amazon.com/Staedtler-Pencil-182-41CB18-NA/dp/B00IUT6PES/ref=pd_cart_rp_1_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=K0354G5ZXSQBX5EGB68N
Though I do have some of the out of production plain black/grey ones without the eraser. I think you can see JY/Leia using them in some of the live videos. They're basically the same minus the eraser.
I always wondered how this compared to my Blackwing Palomino sharpener. I didn't buy it because I was afraid of being disappointed.
Awesome, thanks!
@Mellow_Z 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.
Welcome
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.
Aww I'm sorry! I literally just noticed earlier this week. I was skeptical myself of the price difference myself, lol.
hahah yeah I'm a cheap ass and bought both originally off amazon with the intention of returning the blackwing one, assuming they were the same quality.. it probably cost amazon more in shipping than to just let me keep it, but consumerism american lives on!
I'm not sure if it's because I spend tons on Amazon a month (household stuff, food, toiletries, etc.) but sometimes when I return something, they let me keep it free of charge, and return the money to my credit card. I've assumed because the shipping would cost more than the product itself. I'm surprised they didn't let you keep a damn sharpener! Alas, consumer America lives on, haha!
@Mellow_Z @"Alex Divine" @Sami
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...
You're my hero Harrison! I'm cracking up reading the part about the Ticons, lmao.
I was sad when I saw the pencil thread had died... but then I found this one...
To add to everyones pencil fix:
https://www.facebook.com/mentalflossmagazine/videos/10155199538837365/
Some men may look at porn online; well, I'm not an exception: I just prefer "pencil porn."
Haha. Still to this day I just can't find something better than the Wopex or Norica depending on preference. Lately, I've been really enjoying how long the point last on a Wopex. Though, I do miss how the Noricas write... My reasoning was it's a test, not an essay. So while if I were drawing or writing notes for a class, I may choose the Norica.
Either way, I can't choose I love them both.
And thank you for sharing
How many pencil do you think you guys will have gone through by the time your prep and testing is done? For me, I'd have to guess around ~150?
I bought way too many pencils... I must have 300 Staedtler Noricas and close to the 200 Wopexs. Once my ex knew I liked something, she would always pick me up a bunch not knowing I barely use 1-2 a week.
I also must have close to 40 Blackwing 602s (Had these prior to LSAT prep) and a plethora of others. I guess at this point it's more a collection and hobby. I'm the same with pens, although they tend to be much more expensive and I have a lot more, haha.
Im still sitting pretty with my original 2 boxes of my 1st Tris... theyre not only thicker but a lot longer too. I do have like 5 that are considerbly smaller
@"Alex Divine" how do you think you'll take notes in law school? pen, pencil, ipad?
i'm sticking with my palomino golden bear and palomino blackwing pearl all the way through...
I'm torn on this as well. I love taking notes on a Surface Pro.. not sure if it's logistically smart though (seeing as I haven't taken notes in Law School before), but I don't really foresee an issue as to why it wouldn't work either.
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!
@"Alex Divine" @Sami @Mellow_Z @stepharizona @RafaelBernard @"Bevs ScooterMinion"
Good Luck @imharris !
@imharris knock em dead chief. don't forget about us little guys once you're on to bigger and better things. Be sure to let us know how it goes! We will still be here ripping each other's head off about which pencil reigns supreme!
Are you applying for fall of 18? Or is this to negotiate a WL/scholarship? If it's for next year maybe our paths will cross (Im taking sept/dec).
Laptop and or pen
@imharris , you and your golden bears are going to do us proud!!
(I picture 7 yellow gummy bears each with crowns sitting on your test table with you) 
Good luck my brother! You got this!
@Mellow_Z 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."
After wrestling with my $0.99 sharpener from Walgreens for the past 10 minutes, I have given in to a full makeover...
Placed an Amazon order for @"Bevs ScooterMinion" weapons of choice.
You'll see me with a fancy Cross pen and a Macbook Pro. I might still use the Noricas. Lord knows I have enough for a lifetime.
Are you referring to these: https://www.amazon.com/Staedtler-Norica-Woodcased-Pencils-Black/dp/B00HK8TSCG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1497051036&sr=8-2&keywords=norica
yup!
Def my favs! I just think the Wopex point last so much damn longer... Either way, Noricas write so damn nice.
Great choice
I was the kid all the way up until high school who would ask for a pencil. I'm basically grabbing a handful of like 10 of them, sharpening them all and taking them with me lol. Pencils suck they dull very quickly.
LoL Pencil nerds, unite!
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
Not all. Check out the Wopex. Thing could finish a full Pt without needing to be sharpened once. Legit.
Holy shit, I switch out like 3 pencils in between logic games man lol. Thanks, I'll definitely look into buying. ??
https://www.amazon.com/Staedtler-Pencil-182-41CB18-NA/dp/B00IUT6PES/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_201_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=QY2PKYP8FHWFVZVY8FCP
Yeah, man. Whole test thing barely dulls. It doesn't write as silky as the Noricas, but on a test like the LSAT, who cares. I think you'll love them!
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.
Because of how long it lasts, I like the Wopex for most of the test, but for LG I find it hard to write neatly with them. I searched and searched for a pencil that producing writing that is dark and sharp, I settled on these two: (1) Musgrave Test Scoring 100; and (2) Paper Mate Mirado. I love both of them, but they do lose their sharpness quickly, and I need several for a single section of LG.
Staying cool is great quality. If only he was as prepared as you.
I find myself with the same issue. The lead on the Wopex is a bit more .... hard/soapy almost. I just am so addicted to how long they last. I've used the Mirado and it's a great pencil! But ultimately they do dull quickly. Otherwise, it's such a perfect pencil.
There is only one perfect pencil for the LSAT and it is literally called "Perfect Pencil." https://www.fahrneyspens.com/Item--i-118563S
It is only takes $260 to get your hands on some of these pencils (i.e. just one). While this might seem steep, it is nothing compared to the full-ride scholarship you will earn with one of these babies! Gaze upon its glory!
https://d15bv9e9f3al6i.cloudfront.net/imgs/products/cp/450x450_fitPad/GV03931~Graf-von-Faber-Castell-Perfect-Pencils_DTL1_P3.jpg
Now that I look at it closer, it may not actually conform to LSAC regulations.
Man, @"Alex Divine" , you're like a pencil sommelier. Teach me your ways, sensei.
UPDATE
The double-barrel palomino blackwing sharpener lives up to the hype. The difference I see between the Staedtler Noricas and my Tri Blacks is that the latter write darker and sharpen better. The eraser also works better (I know I shouldn't but I do minor erasures).
Seeing as the LSAT has consumed my life and I have totally fallen headfirst into stockholm syndrome, I will probably give some of those creamy alternatives a shot.