Pencil Issues...

J

JohnnySharp

Joined
Aug 29, 2005
Messages
35
I have a question...

I like to write, and I like to write with wooden pencils. Something about the smell of them - but anyway.

I carry a notebook wallet with a few pencils in it everywhere I go. But they get blunt, and I need a knife to sharpen them when I'm out and about. I could use a pencil sharpener, I know... but where's the fun in that?

So - can anyone recommend a folder that is:

a) small and flat enough to fit in the pocket of my notebook wallet

b) nice-looking enough not to bother people

c) made of a steel that will stay razor sharp with minimal maintainance

Here's thanking you in advance for any suggestions you might have...

JS
 
Benchmade Benchmite 2 - small, thin, AUS-8 steel
AG Russell Ultimate Pen Knife - very small, very thin, VG-10 steel
 
Opinel #6.. Don't leave home without it! I sharpen pencils all the time with it. I am too cheap to buy a Boston pencil sharpener!:D
 
Busse Battle Mistress
Sebenza
or................;)
Alox singleblade Swiss Army Knife
 
Spyderco Kiwi would do. A stainless steel Kiwi, or a stainless steel Cricket, too, especially with the clip removed.
 
I've got a Christy knife, it came VERY VERY dull, I got a spare blade, that also came EXTREEEEEEEEEEEMLY dull... Though it's a cool design. My thinking is that maybe you should look at something made by Stanley, it's a folding lockblade pocketknife, with 1 1/2 - 2 inch blade length, which is scalpel sharp and replaceable once it's dull. Ace hardware (in my area) sells these where their utility knives are. http://images.absolutehome.com/assets/images/product_enlarged/stanley10-049.jpg for a pic.
It might be just what you're looking for.
 
JohnnySharp said:
a) small and flat enough to fit in the pocket of my notebook wallet

b) nice-looking enough not to bother people

c) made of a steel that will stay razor sharp with minimal maintainance
Click to expand...

Flat, cute, AND good edge holding? Original Benchmite (not Benchmite II) has 154CM and good looking titanium scales. The Benchmade 330 series were nice and in 154CM (one limited ed in D2), very flat especially if you remove the clip. AG Russel still has their exclusive version, the 332. Bang for the buck, the VG-10 AG Russel pen knife someone mentioned is going to be hard to beat - $20, $25 or $30 for a fancier version. The Benchmites and 330s are ~$100 knives.

Clip removed Cricket would be nice - a lot of what people are mentioning are knives that are substantially thicker. Not bad knives, but not as thin as you can get.
 
If you want a somewhat bigger knife the Spyderco Centofante III has a thin hollow ground blade that is great on pencils:
http://www.1sks.com/store/spyderco-frank-centofante-3.html

ohmyheckinslc,
I guess I never noticed the factory edge on my Christy Knife. I always sharpen knives when I get them. I don't even remember the first time I did it to my last Christy so it couldn't have taken much effort. I used mine anywhere that I would use a utility knife or a scalpel. When I had my first one I used it in my high school biology class in place of the scalpel they provided. It worked great on worms, frogs and fetal pigs.
 
I do a lot of drawing, but I've always used an exacto knife for sharpening pencils. Exacto knives are probably as friendly as they get. It's hardly even a knife. The blade is less than a half inch long, and there's no scary opening or closing.
 
I see you live in Chicago. If you did not know, carrying a blade over 2.5" is illegal in Chicago. Cops here have a lot of things to worry about, so they are not out to get knives off the streets of people using them to sharpen pencils, but still, just so you know. I'd suggest the Spyderco Kopa, it's not as thin as the others mentioned, but it is super classy, affordable, and within Chicago law.
 
What's a notebook wallet? Is this something pocket-sized?

I like to carry a small, pocket-sized notebook everywhere, but I have the hardest time finding one the ideal size. I have quite a collection of little notebooks, but they all fall short in one way or another (too bulky, too flimsy, etc.).
 
Foilist, I carry the 4x6 but you can also get a 3x5. They are practically indestructible. Pockets for pens outside and pockets inside for a notepad and papers (schedules, coupons, business cards).

Black, Olive, or Camo. First thing I did was remove the velcro tab. :)

NOTESAF™ 4X6 TACTICAL TABLET HOLDER WITH PAPER TABLET
Originally developed to fill an Army requirement calling for a convenient tablet holder that could hold accessories and fit in a BDU cargo pocket. Soldiers use these by the thousands. Fits in hip or cargo pockets and holds a variety of tools - pens, pencils, mini-calculator, cards, etc. Hook and loop closure keeps notes and contents secure. Washable nylon packcloth construction. Ruled paper tablet included.

NOTESAF™ 3X5 TACTICAL TABLET HOLDER WITH PAPER TABLET
 
A second vote for the stainless Spyderco Cricket. Very classy looking brushed stainless with a quality VG-10 blade. Without the clip it's just barely over 1/4" in width - hard to get much thinner than that.

sscrickets_both1.jpg
 
+1 on th A.G Russell ultimate pen knife. It's super small and super thin, not to mention the VG-10 will keep up a good edge profile. The only thing is the matter of control--you'll only be able to use 2-3 fingers the handle's so small, but it should get the job done.
 
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