Comments on: Pentel woodcase pencils http://www.penciltalk.org/2009/07/pentel-woodcase-pencils exploring the art and science of pencils since 2005 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:15:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: Robert http://www.penciltalk.org/2009/07/pentel-woodcase-pencils/comment-page-1#comment-41147 Robert Sun, 13 Jun 2010 08:35:51 +0000 http://173.203.81.145/?p=1307#comment-41147 It's very regrettable if it's true that Pentel is discontinuing the Black Polymer 999. It is/was a very decent option at a good price. Its reception is a bit two-sided, with one group thinking it rather pedestrian, and the other thinking it's the bee's knees. I just got a few and have to say I'm not a big fan of the fit/finish (it seems a bit cheap, partly due to the matte finish but more to the stamping/foil quality), but it's a nice writer overall. However, much more distressing than the loss of the pencil is the possibility that Pentel's stepping out of the wood pencil game altogether. Combined with other discontinuations, ceasing production of the BP999 could suggest that the company is pulling away and instead only focusing on their mechanical leads (they recently released the Ain STEIN lead, though I've never seen it in person). I'd also like to find out more about the polymer designation. I do suspect it's somewhat like their mechanical pencil formulae, since the surface appearance of the lead is substantially different from any of my standard clay-ceramic pencils, and much closer in appearance to Ain and other polymer leads. My Uchida 2mm polymer leads also show this characteristic, and sharpen rather differently from my other leads. Part of me wonders if Uchida sources its leads from elsewhere...and if so, from whom. I haven't tried asking anyone from Pentel about polymer pencil leads directly, but it would certainly be interesting to know what kind of information they could provide without a generic marketing spiel. It’s very regrettable if it’s true that Pentel is discontinuing the Black Polymer 999. It is/was a very decent option at a good price. Its reception is a bit two-sided, with one group thinking it rather pedestrian, and the other thinking it’s the bee’s knees. I just got a few and have to say I’m not a big fan of the fit/finish (it seems a bit cheap, partly due to the matte finish but more to the stamping/foil quality), but it’s a nice writer overall.

However, much more distressing than the loss of the pencil is the possibility that Pentel’s stepping out of the wood pencil game altogether. Combined with other discontinuations, ceasing production of the BP999 could suggest that the company is pulling away and instead only focusing on their mechanical leads (they recently released the Ain STEIN lead, though I’ve never seen it in person).

I’d also like to find out more about the polymer designation. I do suspect it’s somewhat like their mechanical pencil formulae, since the surface appearance of the lead is substantially different from any of my standard clay-ceramic pencils, and much closer in appearance to Ain and other polymer leads. My Uchida 2mm polymer leads also show this characteristic, and sharpen rather differently from my other leads. Part of me wonders if Uchida sources its leads from elsewhere…and if so, from whom. I haven’t tried asking anyone from Pentel about polymer pencil leads directly, but it would certainly be interesting to know what kind of information they could provide without a generic marketing spiel.

]]> By: Gunther http://www.penciltalk.org/2009/07/pentel-woodcase-pencils/comment-page-1#comment-38455 Gunther Wed, 12 May 2010 10:44:10 +0000 http://173.203.81.145/?p=1307#comment-38455 Robert, thank you for the information. I have also heard that the variant with the green (turquoise?) barrel is also discontinued; to me, it's a pity. – Those who want to stock up may look at JetPens who still have somes boxes of the black ones in stock. Robert, thank you for the information. I have also heard that the variant with the green (turquoise?) barrel is also discontinued; to me, it’s a pity. – Those who want to stock up may look at JetPens who still have somes boxes of the black ones in stock.

]]> By: Robert http://www.penciltalk.org/2009/07/pentel-woodcase-pencils/comment-page-1#comment-38400 Robert Tue, 11 May 2010 10:40:27 +0000 http://173.203.81.145/?p=1307#comment-38400 Perhaps this isn't the best place, but I'm sure a lot of people float across these older posts looking for information. Anyway, according to Bundoki, the Black Polymer 999 is now discontinued. They told me they are unsure if there will be a replacement for it. I haven't had a chance to play with it personally, but it's always piqued my interest. It's a real shame to see it go, especially when they haven't announced any successors. Of course, I could be misinformed, but if you're a big 999 fan, you might want to stock up where you can. Perhaps this isn’t the best place, but I’m sure a lot of people float across these older posts looking for information.

Anyway, according to Bundoki, the Black Polymer 999 is now discontinued. They told me they are unsure if there will be a replacement for it. I haven’t had a chance to play with it personally, but it’s always piqued my interest. It’s a real shame to see it go, especially when they haven’t announced any successors.

Of course, I could be misinformed, but if you’re a big 999 fan, you might want to stock up where you can.

]]> By: penciladmin http://www.penciltalk.org/2009/07/pentel-woodcase-pencils/comment-page-1#comment-35384 penciladmin Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:14:28 +0000 http://173.203.81.145/?p=1307#comment-35384 Thank you very much. I also just read the suggestion "a pencil for calligraphy". As well, my apologies if you have had trouble leaving a reply. The website may be having a technical issue. I am investigating. Thank you very much. I also just read the suggestion “a pencil for calligraphy”.

As well, my apologies if you have had trouble leaving a reply. The website may be having a technical issue. I am investigating.

]]> By: Griffith http://www.penciltalk.org/2009/07/pentel-woodcase-pencils/comment-page-1#comment-35383 Griffith Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:55:03 +0000 http://173.203.81.145/?p=1307#comment-35383 Nice review:D The logo on the Pentel Black Polymer 999 "???????? (kakikata ennpitsu)" stands for "Pencil for writing" A solid pencil, I mean, opposes against a japanese brush. "??(shosha)" literally means copying. I wish that could help:) Nice review:D
The logo on the Pentel Black Polymer 999 “???????? (kakikata ennpitsu)” stands for “Pencil for writing” A solid pencil, I mean, opposes against a japanese brush. “??(shosha)” literally means copying.

I wish that could help:)

]]> By: Gunther http://www.penciltalk.org/2009/07/pentel-woodcase-pencils/comment-page-1#comment-35378 Gunther Mon, 06 Jul 2009 06:32:35 +0000 http://173.203.81.145/?p=1307#comment-35378 Excellent overview – thanks! I would like to add that (as far as I know) the Hiragana lettering on the turquoise 999 – ???? ???? – means "learn to write pencil" (or something similar) which implies that it is a pencil for pupils. Besides that, I found the lettering on that pencil exceptional resistant to abrasion. A closer look gave me the impression that it isn't printed as usual but made with some kind of lacquer. The fact that it doesn't have a bar code or a corresponding number make that pencil even more appealing to me. Excellent overview – thanks!

I would like to add that (as far as I know) the Hiragana lettering on the turquoise 999 – ???? ???? – means “learn to write pencil” (or something similar) which implies that it is a pencil for pupils. Besides that, I found the lettering on that pencil exceptional resistant to abrasion. A closer look gave me the impression that it isn’t printed as usual but made with some kind of lacquer. The fact that it doesn’t have a bar code or a corresponding number make that pencil even more appealing to me.

]]> By: Alberto http://www.penciltalk.org/2009/07/pentel-woodcase-pencils/comment-page-1#comment-35375 Alberto Mon, 06 Jul 2009 02:31:29 +0000 http://173.203.81.145/?p=1307#comment-35375 Excellent overview of Pentel wooden pencil offerings. So far I've had the chance to try the Black Polymer 999 HB and the Tuff (no designation that came bundled in an Aquash crayon set). The former failed to wow me, but the Tuff was quite smooth and produced nice dark marks. Maybe I'll try a Polymer 999 3B or 4B in the future if I can't get my hands on Hi-Unis. Excellent overview of Pentel wooden pencil offerings. So far I’ve had the chance to try the Black Polymer 999 HB and the Tuff (no designation that came bundled in an Aquash crayon set). The former failed to wow me, but the Tuff was quite smooth and produced nice dark marks. Maybe I’ll try a Polymer 999 3B or 4B in the future if I can’t get my hands on Hi-Unis.

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