Why I Switched from Pens to Pencils
45sThe mysterious 'incident' and the relatable love for pencils create curiosity and engagement.
▶ Play ClipAI Summary
The video follows a pencil enthusiast who decides to create the perfect mechanical pencil by attaching a Rite in the Rain eraser to a Koh-I-Noor lead holder. Through a series of DIY steps — drilling, cutting, sanding, and gluing — they successfully build a custom tool that fits all their needs.
Chapters
[00:00]
Introduction to the pencil enthusiast
The creator writes down everything they think and switched from pens to pencils after an incident. They carry two mechanical pencils: a Pentel carry with .5mm 2B lead and a Koh-I-Noor Versatil 5228 with 2mm 2B lead.
[00:27]
The two favorite pencils and their features
The Pentel carry has a cap and eraser, while the Koh-I-Noor is a lead holder with a sharpener but no eraser. The creator finds this annoying and decides to fix it.
[00:55]
The plan to attach a Rite in the Rain eraser
The creator plans to attach the eraser from a Rite in the Rain 1mm mechanical pencil to the Koh-I-Noor. The erasers are too tight, so they use a drill to widen the holder.
[01:23]
Fitting and finalizing the attachment
After drilling, the eraser fits, but the pencil becomes too long. The creator cuts and sands it down, then cleans both parts with alcohol wipes and applies glue for a permanent bond.
[01:52]
The final result
After waiting a day, the pencil is complete. It has a refillable eraser receptacle, fits perfectly in a back pocket, and the creator embraces its strange appearance.
The creator successfully builds a custom pencil by attaching a Rite in the Rain eraser to a Koh-I-Noor lead holder, creating a unique, pocket-friendly tool that meets all their needs.
Mentioned in this Video
Tutorial Checklist
💡 Key Takeaways
🔧
Using a drill to widen the eraser holder
Shows a practical, hands-on solution to a common fitting problem.
01:07
💡
Embracing the weird abomination
Highlights the value of personal customization over mass-produced perfection.
01:52
⚖️
Frankenstein approach to tool design
Demonstrates combining favorite features from different products to create a unique tool.
00:55Full Transcript
[00:00] I write down pretty much everything I think. I used to use pens, but after a certain incident, I switched to pencils. And today, I'm going to make my perfect pencil. It's no secret that I love mechanical pencils.
[00:12] If you listen to The Rest Is Science, you know. And if you don't listen, I know. I can feel it. I carry two pencils with me everywhere I go. A Pentel carry with .5mm 2B lead, and a Koh-I-Noor Versatil 5228 with 2mm 2B lead.
[00:27] They're perfect in a pocket because they're small and they can't poke you. The carry has a cap, and the Koh-I-Noor is a lead holder, so it's also a lead hider. On the back of the carry, there's an eraser. On the back of the Koh-I-Noor, there's no eraser, but there is a sharpener.
[00:40] It's really cute and annoying. Whenever I write with this, I need to have an eraser nearby. But that ends today, because today I'm going to Frankenstein together a monster that's useful. I'm going to permanently attach my favorite pencil to my favorite eraser,
[00:55] the one that comes on Right in the Rain 1 millimeter mechanical pencil You can buy Right in the Rain erasers by the tube but they too tight to fit on the back of the Koh It a mess So let untighten it The drill actually
[01:07] worked really well. I can now fit the sharpener into the back of the eraser holder. But there's a problem. When I screw the sharpener back onto the pencil, the pencil now has an eraser, but it's too long. There's too much length above the clip. I don't like it. It does work, however. I didn't put the eraser on so far that I can't release the clutch and move the lead in and out. So we are
[01:23] getting closer. I think what I've got to do is cut. Oh yeah, see ya, we ya, wouldn't want to be ya. I'll sand it down because my cutting job was terrible. Maybe I'll file it too. And then to make sure it's permanent, I'm going to clean them with some alcohol wipes to make sure they're clean
[01:36] so I can shove some glue into the eraser holder. All right, now it's time for the marriage and for us to wait. A day later, it's looking and feeling pretty good. I now have a refillable receptacle for my favorite erasers on my favorite pencil. This beauty is going right in the back pocket
[01:52] next to the cheek. It's got everything I need. It looks kind of strange, but I guess that's why it reminds me of myself. It's a weird abomination.
