Even as computer technologies continue to develop and encourage electronic communications, handwriting continues to play a major role in taking notes, writing letters, and even leaving memos. As the yellow wooden pencils of years ago gradually disappeared in wake of the rise in popularity of mechanical pencils, the Pentech Liquid Graphite pencil balances convention and technology in its classic, hexagonal wooden pencil that “Never needs to be Sharpened.” However, does the Pentech Liquid Graphite pencil out-perform its Paper Mate Mirado Classic wooden pencil counterpart?
Classic wooden pencils are identifiable symbols of education systems throughout the world. From learning how to write in grammar school to writing memos, taking notes, and even composing music throughout life, handwriting would be difficult without the perfect pencil. While pens and markers may serve the same purpose, only pencils can offer the silvery writing texture and ability to consistently erase work. The Paper Mate Mirado Classic offers a casing made of incensed cedar wood, providing an old-fashioned scent during the quick and easy sharpening processes.
Likewise, the Paper Mate Mirado Classic rubber eraser is soft enough to ensure paper rarely tears while removing pencil marks. With its ceramic waxed lead, writing becomes a smooth, enjoyable experience. In addition, the waxed lead makes accidentally breaking the lead more difficult. Like most wooden pencils, the Paper Mate Mirado Classic pencil combines ageless pencil technology with modern manufacturing techniques to provide a timeless, reliable resource for all one’s writing needs.
However, along with the popularity of mechanical pencils comes the Pentech Liquid Graphite pencil. With its wooden appearance, the pencil looks like any other wooden pencil, except for the prominent phrase “Never needs to be sharpened” engraved on its side. When used, the Pentech Liquid Graphite pencil produces a thin, sharp, and darker color lead stream than normal graphite pencil leads.
The coloration and style of the liquid graphite resemble the ink in pens. However, people who write small may benefit from this pencil as it is much easier to compress words and letters into small spaces. Instead of a round eraser embedded into the end of the pencil shaft, the Pentech Liquid Graphite pencil is manufactured with a permanent cap-style eraser. Nonetheless, the eraser easily removes pencil marks without trouble. On the other hand, since the liquid graphite cannot be replaced, once the graphite runs out, the pencil is no longer useful. Many times, with vigorous daily use, the eraser outlives the pencil’s liquid graphite.
One major difference between the Pentech Liquid Graphite pencil and the Paper Mate Mirado Classic pencil involves the smearing of pencil lead when writing. For left-handed writers, smearing becomes a major problem when writing on notebook paper or copy paper. However, the Pentech Liquid Graphite prevents smearing and makes writing a much cleaner and less cumbersome task for both right-handed and left-handed writers.
Overall, the Pentech Liquid Graphite pencil proves to be a reasonable alternative for those seeking the convenience of a mechanical pencil without losing the classic look and feel of wooden pencils. From its thin graphite stream to its long-lasting cap eraser, the Pentech Liquid Graphite pencil serves as a fresh take on the old wooden pencil concept. However, if long-lasting pencils are preferred, the Paper Mate Mirado Classic offers exceptional performance with minimum maintenance. While the Pentech pencil may run out of lead in a few weeks, the Paper Mate Mirado Classic continues to provide value after each sharpening. While the Paper Mate’s eraser may be used quicker than the cap eraser on the Pentech Liquid Graphite, cap erasers can be purchased at any office supply retailer to provide similar convenience as the Pentech.
While the Pentech Liquid Graphite pencils tend to cost more than the Paper Mate Mirado Classics, the best option for one person may not be the best option for others. Personal preference should play a key role in determining which pencil fits one’s needs. For an overall exceptional wooden pencil, the Paper Mate Mirado Classic excels at providing a modern take on wooden pencils. Likewise, while the Pentech Liquid Graphite pencil delivers quality performance, its higher cost and relatively short lifetime are two of the most limiting factors affecting the pencil’s ability to embody the classic spirit of the wooden writing utensil in a modern, mechanical interpretation.
