Freak369's Full Review: Sanford Mirado Pencils 3 Firm Lead Dozen
Unless you are into art, sketching or crafts, pencils probably aren’t something that you give a great deal of thought to. Did you know that there are over twenty different types of standard leads that range from 9H [the hardest] to 9B [the softest], in the middle of the scale are the H, F and HB. The HB is the standard equivalent to what Americans call the # 2 and is what is commonly used for standardized tests. This was picked because it was the easiest for machines to read when the tests were scored, it was also picked because it is the most common type of lead pencil in production. Most of the pencils that we use are automatic or mechanical but we do have some standard wooden pencils around for Annabelle as well as when the brood need them for certain classes or taking their end of the year tests.
PaperMate Mirado Pencils #3 Firm Lead
Until I stated getting back into drawing and sketching I didn’t really pay much attention to the pencils that I used for such ventures. When I started talking to some local artists and one of them suggested trying different leads and manufacturers I figured it certainly couldn’t hurt; when I saw these at a small art store I decided to give them a try to see if they would help with some of the larger designs I was working on but having trouble getting to the right depth. Some people might not like these for sketching but I like the darker lines that it gives and the ability to add more levels of shading. The one thing that I didn’t like about these when I started using them was the smudging, most of this was due to the weight I was using when pressing down on them. A cool trick to use with these is to apply a very light coating of hair spray [yes, hair spray] once you have completed a section of your artwork. This keeps it from smudging and smearing but you have to be careful - if you need to erase a section that you have sprayed, you could ruin the whole thing if you aren’t careful.
For all intents and purposes these are a great artists pencil but not exactly what I would recommend for every day use. The barrel is easy to hold and they sharpen perfectly in electric or hand held sharpeners. You do get a nice solid point from them and it does hold a little longer than the softer leads but they do snap easier if you are heavy handed. Smudging is something that you have to contend with no matter what type of pencil you are using; these smudge with average pressure but it is easily erased. If you are someone that likes a dark lead when writing or drawing these are a nice pick to start with but if they aren’t dark enough, there are others in the Mirado family to choose from. One of the nicest things about these is that when you sharpen them, the tip area that hits your finger is smooth. No rough edges to make your fingers sore or rip up your skin.
Black Warrior Vs. Mirado
If you are into pencils but you aren’t sure what the difference is between the Black Warrior and regular Mirado pencils are - here is the deal. The Black Warrior pencils are the same as the regular Mirado’s but they have a different finish on the barrel. The leads, eraser and barrel composition are the same so if you want to spring a little more for slicker looking pencils, the Black Warrior is the better pick of the two. They write and sharpen the same so if you happen to come across the Black Warrior version on sale, you can pick them up without having to worry that they are going to perform differently.
Certified Non Toxic
Until I started reviewing wooden pencils I never knew that there was an organization that monitored the standard of pencils and leads. The PMA, Pencil Makers Association, evaluates pencils to make sure that all the elements that are used are certified non-tonic, this includes the paint on the barrel, erasers and lead. This might sound like something trivial to add to a review but if you have kinds that chew on pencils, you’ll appreciate knowing that these are certified by the PMA. At one point in time I could have sworn that one of the brood was part beaver - hand him a pencil and a half hour later it was dented with teeth marks, a day later it was destroyed.
Price
These cost almost twice as much as what you would pay for regular number two pencils because of the higher clay content but they are a necessity if you are going for a darker lead. I picked up a pack of these for $2.50 at a local art store and I am sure if I would have shopped around I could have found them for a little less. It is really important to know what you are getting your self into with these as well as not getting them mixed in with the pencils that the kids use. They might not notice that much of a difference at first but if they use one of these on a computer or machine scored test, they run the risk of getting an ‘F’ or having to take the test over. I do like the way that these write and based on that I am sure that I will check out the other lead option that Mirado / PaperMate offer in this series. They cost a little more than others but you definitely see the difference in artwork, drawings and rough illustrations.
The Bottom Line
I doubt anyone else in the house is going to use these; they stick with the mechanical and automatic pencils most of the time and when they do have to use a wooden pencil for a test or class, it’s usually a number two lead. These are nice for sketching and general art work but if you have never used the number three lead, buy the smallest sized pack possible in case you don’t like the lead. I don’t really see that much of a difference between these and the other Mirado pencils unless I am doing a larger piece that requires a lot of shading or thicker lines. If you have the need for a number three lead pencil, these are the top of the line. You may pay a little more for them but once you use them you will see the difference between these and cheaper ones.
Mirado Classic Pencils feature an ultra-smooth core encased in California cedar for easy sharpening, strength and stability. Waxed lead offers smooth ...More at Discount Office Items
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