Pencils-consistent carving quality?

[Nomad]

Google palomino pencils and they will come up. There are a couple dealers on the internet, one of which also sells on ebay.

[Big Barn]

Have you tried any art supply stores or maybe Staples? Have you tried any of the carpenter pencils? They're not round but could give you options? maybe ?

[ka0fan]

Thanks Nomad They sound too good to carve up. :<)
Big Barn I looked at Staples and Office Depot but they carry mostly the same as Wal Mart. They have different packaging and carry their own brand that are just so/so. Office Depot has a Papermate pencil that is not painted just a clear finish that I would like to try but they only have them in quantity(100/box I think it was). Next week when I am at the club meeting I will check them out better. They are 130 miles from me so I will do my homework before I go. :<)
Thanks !

[Nomad]

Have you looked at Notebound pencils? I bought mine from Meijers on sale for 79 cents for 8. Regular price I think was 2 bucks. They are round and have a natural finish. I like them because they have good erasers, but I've never carved them. Mine say made in Thailand.


Hmmm, looks like they had website {notebound.com} but I can't find pencils there. Maybe that's why Meijers had the pencils on closeout. I dunno.

[ka0fan]

Thanks Nomad I will have to keep my eye peeled for them.
I really like the Staedtler Rally pencil to use but they are hit amd miss for carving. About one in three is OK and the other two require lots of alcohol & water.
I better get to carving--so many Christmas ornaments to do and so little time!! :<)

[ka0fan]

Well a bit more on the pencil carving--the best for consistency so far are the Dixon/Ticonderoga "Enviro Stiks". These seem to be a recycled wood product with no finish and no grain. They carve OK and so far are very consistent.
I have only carved about a dozen so will post the results of the next dozen or so.
I hope to have a little time today and will try burning on a couple to see how well that works.
Happy New Year to All

[ka0fan]

The "Enviro Stiks" burn pretty well --it takes a lower heat and a bit of fine tuning. Over all they seem to be a good pencil to carve.
Now if they only came in colors--LOL I am happy they carve well no complaints!!
Happy New Year!!

[STAR]

Originally Posted by Big Barn

Have you tried any art supply stores or maybe Staples? Have you tried any of the carpenter pencils? They're not round but could give you options? maybe ?

Thanks for that post. I have been looking to do some pencil carving and have just received some fat pencils, but over the last few years including this one I have been given a large supply of carpenter's pencils mainly because I also do Woodwork.

I haven't the heart to tell my family that Carpenter's pencils are for Carpenters, what I attempt to do is fine woodwork. Maybe now I can have a rethink to see if those pencils can finally find a use.

Pete

[R-OLDS]

Back about 8 years ago I had a real JONEs for carving pencils, I was able to find some polymer pencils, round and carved them on and off for a couple years, these plastic pencils carve MUCH better than all of the wooden ones. A few years back I purchased a gross of the large round wooden pencils and they carved quite good for being wood, no name or brand on the box or the pencils..

[Butch_Speer]

kaOfan,
You might try this. Very good people to work with.

- Thick Red Basswood Carving Pencil - each #527201