iona Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 ds1 sits down for reading(no writing), math (1/2 to one page-minimal writing) and sometimes handwriting (writes a few letters and a few words) he is using his pencil for maybe 5-10 minutes total. i have to resharpen his pencil on average twice...at least once, mostly twice, sometimes three times. i have talked to him about not pushing too hard, i don't over sharpen that i know of. i need recommendations for industrial strength pencils or at least a good sharpener...my hand is starting to hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mama27 Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 I have no advice. It happens here all the time. Personally, I think it's the companies that make the pen cils do it so we have to keep buying new ones! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jen3kids Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 It drives me nuts! But then again, when my kids do find a pencil that doesn't do that, they use it until it's only an eraser :001_huh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 (edited) I only buy Ticonderoga. Not that they're perfect, but I definitely prefer them to other brands. Edited January 22, 2011 by wapiti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChandlerMom Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 Might want to try a harder pencil lead (graphite). Standard are 2's, but a 2.5 (HB) or 3 (H) might do better. Other options include mechanical pencils (with harder lead) or try pens (sometimes the slipperiness helps them not push so hard). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boscopup Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 I sprung for the Ticonderoga pencils recently, and they are way better than the Dixon pencils I got on sale during the school sales. Funny thing is Dixon makes both! I also got an electric pencil sharpener... Just a$20 one (on sale) from Staples. I'll have to look at the model again, but I've had it since August. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iona Posted January 22, 2011 Author Share Posted January 22, 2011 i'm glad i'm not alone. we have ticonderoga...hmm, maybe i'll look for the harder ones...or at least a better sharpener our little plastic one isn't cutting it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boscopup Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 I wonder if your sharpener is weakening the wood? Those plastic sharpeners are awful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iona Posted January 22, 2011 Author Share Posted January 22, 2011 i may be weakening the wood, the sharpener is part of the frustration. i'll try the new sharpener first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 I bought my son a mechanical pencil with 0.7 mm lead (thicker than the usual 0.5 mm); I found Uni (alias Uni-ball) 0.7mm HB "Shu" lead that's supposed to be 30% stronger than regular lead. It does seem to break less often than regular lead. I also recently bought some mechanical pencils (not the draft sort of weird ones for architects or whatever) w/ 2 mm lead (very thick). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nukeswife Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 (edited) another option that you might look for is the new liquid pencils. I've seen them at the office stores. My son has used them in the past and liked them. No lead to break. Edited January 22, 2011 by nukeswife Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkermamaof4 Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 we switched to pentel clicksters based on reading posts on this forum and we haven't looked back. get the twist erase ones. the eraser seems to never run out and the .7mm don't break easily. we bought boxes of them, one color per kid. now everyone has their own and they all love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkermamaof4 Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 btw, there was also a thread on pencil sharpeners and we bought one based on it. the old fashioned kind: http://www.amazon.com/X-Acto-Ranger-Wall-Mount-Heavy-Duty-Sharpener/dp/B00006IEI2/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1295729665&sr=8-6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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