Recommend me some writing utensils!

Esh

Going back to college this Fall and I need some pencils/pens to take notes with. I'm not looking to spend $$$ but I also don't want to be using a 12 pack of Bic pens.

Something to take into consideration is that I write like a left hander but with my right hand, so the pens need to be not smeary.

So, some nice pen and mechanical pencil thoughts, please. Thanks!

Nappuccino

I've been using the new sharpie-pens this year and I'm pretty happy with them. I just did a quick smudge test and they don't seem to smudge with normal use.

Deebaser

Hi Esh,

Actual honest to God south paw here. I'm writing with a Pentel RSVP at the moment and it isn't smeary in the least.

Gel and ink pens are your enemy. Anything ballpoint won't smear that badly.

TychoCelchuuu

How can you possibly write like a left hander with your right hand? Do you write from right to left?

In any case Bic pens have always been my favorites.

KidDynamite

Putting a vote in for the Parker Jotters. I've always thought they look classy, and a good thing to have around.

Edited to say, lefty crew checking in. So there is that.

Sebbie

I don't know how they hold up to the smudge test but those pens have always been my favourite. I find they feel so smooth as they glide on paper.

Esh

TychoCelchuuu wrote: »

How can you possibly write like a left hander with your right hand? Do you write from right to left?

In any case Bic pens have always been my favorites.

I basically crab my hand around and start my letters/numbers from the opposite direction of where a righty would. It's really odd. People remark on it all the time.

firewaterword

I've had a few Cross pens over the years - pretty nice if you're the sort who can hang onto a pen. You should be able to find a pen and pencil set for under $30.

If for some reason you do decide you want an expensive ass pen, it's hard to go wrong with Mont Blanc. I've got one that's over 35 years old, and it still writes like a charm. The refills are affordable as well.

Phisti

I'm a lefty and I have discovered Pentel Energel pens are quite delightful (not low budget, so don't be loaning them out, but not 50$ a pen).

Check em out: Energel

It's a gel pen but dries very, very, very quickly and is actually quite delightful to write with. I've yet to have a smudging problem with it, now if only they'd make a left-hand friendly 3-ring binder.

Esh

Phisti wrote: »

I'm a lefty and I have discovered Pentel Energel pens are quite delightful (not low budget, so don't be loaning them out, but not 50$ a pen).

Check em out: Energel

It's a gel pen but dries very, very, very quickly and is actually quite delightful to write with. I've yet to have a smudging problem with it, now if only they'd make a left-hand friendly 3-ring binder.

Sold! These look great.

Now can someone point me towards a good mechanical pencil?

meeker

Esh wrote: »

TychoCelchuuu wrote: »

How can you possibly write like a left hander with your right hand? Do you write from right to left?

In any case Bic pens have always been my favorites.

I basically crab my hand around and start my letters/numbers from the opposite direction of where a righty would. It's really odd. People remark on it all the time.

I do the same damn thing!

I love me some Papermate Flexgrip Ultra Fine. Cuisiony, rubbery outside; non-smeary ink inside!

Dark_Side

Pens fall in and out of favor with me, but I know that when it comes to pencils, I've found no finer than the Mirado Black Warriors. I used to use a lot of mechanical pencils but got tired of always breaking the lead off when writing.

Esh

meeker wrote: »

Esh wrote: »

TychoCelchuuu wrote: »

How can you possibly write like a left hander with your right hand? Do you write from right to left?

In any case Bic pens have always been my favorites.

I basically crab my hand around and start my letters/numbers from the opposite direction of where a righty would. It's really odd. People remark on it all the time.

I do the same damn thing!

I love me some Papermate Flexgrip Ultra Fine. Cuisiony, rubbery outside; non-smeary ink inside!

I've met one other person that does this. I'd really like to know if there's a term for it and why the Hell do we do it?

Phisti

Mechanical pencils - I use: Staedler Drafting Pencils

The leads are far more durable than standard mechanical pencils but they are less available.

And as a lefty - to make writing easier on myself I simply turn my paper 90 degrees clockwise and write sideways from top to bottom always moving my hand down the page (to the left) to avoid unnecessary smudges.

Erandus

Southpaw here. I don't even do the strange writing claw thing. I just drag my hand right across whatever it is that I'm writing. Was never taught any different. My 3rd grade teacher tried to teach me the thing where you turn the page sideways, but I hated it and he gave up after 2 days or so. Its kinda funny when I write like 3 pages in pencil because the side of my hand goes solid shiny grey from all the graphite I drag it directly over. But since I don't do The Claw, I have to have pens that dry fast.

My current favorite pen is a Pilot Precise Gel .07. I've never had it smear on me at all, which is surprising for a gel. I absolutely love the thing. I usually lose all pens within 2 days of acquiring them, but this one works so well for me that I've had it for months now.

ascannerlightly

berrol black beauties

you can drop the line "we call that fools stuffin', hoss" on people left and right!!