u/UnnecessaryDetail_UD

I was reviewing the Staedtler Yellow Pencil 134 HB on my YouTube channel today. It has been my long term favorite pencil and I have been using it for more than 10 years.

However, the pencil has changed in these years and it makes me very sad. The lead and the paint are completely changed and it is not the same pencil any more. Just the weight feels the same. Everything else has changed. They sell it in India at a huge premium over other brands.

During the review, I found that the latest batch that I ordered is full of misaligned cores! I have 4 boxes and all are full of terrible Quality Check.

I was completely bummed out and disappointed. Have written to Staedtler as this is not acceptable.

Meanwhile, has anyone else seen issues in Staedtler pencils?

I am leaving the video link here in case you want to see more of the issue around sharpening and lead breakage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqCv1mQ3GdA

@Mods - In case this is not appreciated, do let me know and I will remove the link. Many thanks.

Jinhao 9016 with heartbeat Nib and Syahi Bloody Red ink... The pen is more crimson orange than this photo suggests, was unable to colour correct properly.

Had issues with skipping and hard-starts with this one, as I have had with every Jinhao I have owned, except maybe the Lamy Style nib versions.

30 minutes of tuning - Tyne widening, removing "baby's Bottom" from the nib and widening the feed got me to this juicy wetness that it now feathers on the 140 GSM sketching paper.

I might have overdone it, but Better this than dry and skippy, any day.

Update on my encyclopedia journey: I have uploaded the reviews of the trifecta of wooden pencils. This takes the total reviews up to 9 lead holders till now, links below:

Playlist Wooden Lead Holders - https://youtu.be/7v21M_lQ7iw?si=GG576nU9GEntI32I

Playlist of all Lead Holders till now - https://youtu.be/7rMUKr_eeBA?si=_2J2leZFzahT3eeA

Ohto Sharp Pencil 2.0 Lead holder - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Acfd63lLv1Q

Muji Wooden 2mm Mechanical Pencil - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v21M_lQ7iw

Kita-Boshi 2mm Lead Holder - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6y-sjdvaaAs

Summaries of latest Reviews-

Ohto Sharp Pencil 2.0 - Good Pencil, all wood. Is short but a bit too thick. Is light, balanced towards the center with a slight rear bias. The paint is too glossy and thus slippery, making it hard to use. The internal mechanism revolves freely, making it hard to sharpen and use the eraser.

Muji Wooden 2mm Lead Holder - This one solves for many of the issues in the Ohto. Is the same product (probably rebranded as Muji / Made for Muji by Ohto or by Ohto's manufacturer). While it stays the same inherently, it solves the following basic issues:

a. The end cap locking mechanism is updated, making it slightly easier to sharpen

b. Through-hole added in the eraser as a safety measure that also allows for quick-loading of the pencil and makes it compatible with longer 130 mm leads

c. The paint is less slick, making it easier to grip

d. I find the understated look more elegant that the Ohto

Kita-Boshi - I recently shared in this subreddit.

Upcoming projects:

1. Uni Drop Clutch Lead Holders

2. Uni Field 2.0

3. Faber Castell TK 9400

I hope to complete all my current lead holder reviews by June 2026 - unless I get distracted against and stop for the next 15 months again.

In any case, hope you all find these useful.