Pen or Pencil EDC? Why?

[Craiger]

I prefer a mechanical pencil myself, .7mm or .9mm lead, just because I like the mechanics of it and prefer to write in pencil. I sketch a lot at work and erasing is frequently necessary. I dream of sketching a lot outside of work, but it never seems to happen.

I have also considered pens, but can't think of any good reason other than writing checks, which I do not do.

What are your reasons for either or?

[ducttapetech]

I love writing with a good fountain pen. And can't be erased either. Next, is a good carpenters pencil. Great for marking stuff. I tend to carry both.

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[Steinar]

Either a quality wooden pencil or a 2 mm lead holder here. I like the flexibility of the 2 mm lead over the thinner leads common in mechanical pencils, and I like the bullet proof reliability of a good lead holder (or the even better reliability of a wooden pencil ). Pencil lines do not fade in sunlight, pencils neither leak nor dry out, but the main reason is simply I prefer the feel of writing with a pencil over a pen. I have a couple of fountain pens, but I like my pencils better.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I edc both at work but prefer to write in pencil as my handwriting is pretty bloody awful, but fractionally better with a pencil for some reason?

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[microbe]

I usualy have a ballpoint on me. But l like to make a case for pencils. Pencils are great, I used to draw a lot, the pressure used makes a difference on paper, and if you slightly turn it you can make sharper or fatter lines. None of that variety in output is possible wit a ballpont. Still, my pencils are to fragile to edc. They stay at home.

[powernoodle]

I carry a Space Pen, but don't think I have ever used it.  Also carry a Sharpie, and that sucker gets used all of the time.

[dks]

Victorinox manager. The pen is used more than the other tools. Small and it means that I do not need to have a pen on me when shopping, going for a walk, relaxing.

taaaaaaapaaaaaaas

[Grathr]

I have a Vic Manager on my keychain wich sees some use, and a Fisher Military pen in the pocket of my work jacket wich sees a lot of use every day at work. I prefer the pen over pencils because I write hard, wich usually breaks the lead a lot.


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[glorn]

http://www.spacepen.com/725B-matteblacktrekkerspacepen.aspx

http://www.dixonticonderoga.com/writing/pencils/woodcase/tri-conderoga

I use Fisher Space Pens exclusively due to the durability and the fact that extremes of temperature don't affect them. I hated reaching for a pen in my vehicle only to find it frozen or leaking from heat.

The Trekker is my EDC. The split ring makes it perfect in my profession as it stays clipped to a small Nite Ize S-Biner on the D-ring on my bag until needed. Then it can transfer to my S-Biner keychain on my belt loop to go with me.

Granted, Space Pens are not the best writers, but they ALWAYS work.

I also keep a wooden pencil. If I need to mark off a measurement or leave instructions on materials, graphite can be removed easily. Wooden pencils are more reliable for me, and it is obvious when they are "getting low on lead" just be length. Not to mention, wood pencils weigh almost nothing.

And if course I always have a Sharpie Industrial.

[Aloha]

I use a Zebra mechanical pencil, Zebra pen, a twin tip Sharpie, and highlighter almost daily.  I take notes when talking to clients, write down information when listening to VM's, and general scribble.  I like having a pen on my SAKs for those moments when I leave my notebook in the car.  I always have my Maxpedition 3x5 on me while at work and carry a Moleskine when off.  I have used mechanical pencils since around 85' and never had a major malfunction.  I typically use .5mm lead, blue ink pens, and black or red sharpies.  I recently got a clicky sharpie so I'll give that a play and see how it goes.       

[nate j]

Pen (Fisher Bullet) for me.  In general, I find (decent quality) pens more rugged, more nearly permanent, and less maintenance-intensive than pencils.  I also find I encounter many more documents that must be signed or completed in ink (checks, credit card slips, formal letters, CC forms) than documents that must be completed using pencils (bubble sheets), at least these days.

[jerseydevil]

Pen for me.  We're constantly doing corrections to formulas, for which we keep a permanent record.  Pencil won't cut it in that case.  Also filling out forms for warranties, returns, credits, shipping, etc., all are usually at least duplicate and need a ball point to press hard enough to get through to both pages of the form.

[Craiger]

Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts. I think I'll keep packing the pencil.

[kkokkolis]

I use pens heavily in my job. I also used pencils when I studied, from first grade up to my residency exams, 24 years in a row. I prefer mechanical pencils but now even my notes should be permanent. In work I use disposable pens (they are continuously "borrowed" but I have 3-4 Parkers in my briefcase. I also have the Victorinox pens and pencils and recently I put an IKEA pencil in my EDC as a backup.
Now you mentioned, I am probably going to get a high quality mechanical pencil for EDC.

[Singh]

I don't necessarily EDC a writing instrument, but if I did, I'd go for a mini sharpie. They're cheap and write on anything.

Or maybe a bic disposable.

The Fisher space  pens are neat, but a sharpie or a disposable bic pen will do the job for me.

[willc]

I always edc a pen, pencil, and marker.
My pen is a Zebra 701 and that is for daily paperwork.
A carpenters pencil is for marking and layout work but sometimes the Sharpie is the better choice depending on surface.
The Sharpie is also required for my daily inspection tags which are slick plastic, and since sometime I have to write small I like to carry the double one with a fine and blunt tip.



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