What a great underwater pencil!

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During my current course with an instructor student I was amused to see a jealous look in his eyes as he read my notebook with ease, and tried to communicate with his hands that my pencil was great - he pointed at my pencil, removed his reg, made kissing lips, touched his fingers to his mouth and then pulled them away in a fan in much the same way an Italian person might indicate their food is delicious! Sometimes we forget the simple bits of kit that make our diving easier, so I thought it deserved a mention here...

The object in question was the Pilot Croquis refillable, extendable pencil. Out of all the things I have tried for underwater writing, this pencil is by far the best. It’s all plastic construction, comfortable grip, and choice of lead softness means it is ideally suited to the underwater environment, and you don’t get dirty fingers using it either!

The Croquis is strong, light, and easy to use; the lead seems to last a long time and is simple to change if you run out. It writes easily on most surfaces, and most importantly of all it is cheap!

If you have found something better then I would be happy to hear about it, but I am pretty sure most divers needs will be met by this gem of a writing instrument.

And don’t forget, it’s black, so fits in nicely with all that other tech gear you have!

©Matt Reed

Posted: 06 December 2008, 13 comments.

13 comments

Mike Taylor on 06 Dec 2008 at 2:27

Three choices of lead. The 6B is the go to go for.

Leads last forever, but you can also buy when you order.

Order online at Cult Pens

http://www.cultpens.com/acatalog/Pilot_Croquis_Artists_Pencils.html

Steve Lewis on 11 Dec 2008 at 7:36

Nice tip Matt… pun unintended! I look out for some and see how they hold up in crappy cold water. Am sure they’ll do fine but I will let you know… gotta find them first!

Simonski on 12 Dec 2008 at 8:33

Yes. They do work in cold water!

I have now been using them now for ages - the softer lead the better as far as I am concerned. I hate to say it but they were recommended by Mike Taylor; he occasionally comes up with a gem of wisdom.

Matt on 12 Dec 2008 at 11:33

Hi Steve,

Try this for US delivery http://www.jetpens.com/index.php/cPath/340_680

Or this http://www.opusframing.com/contact/mailorder.html seems to be in Canada, which I guess is better for you.

Hope that helps…

Harold Meyer on 06 Oct 2009 at 8:56

Best thing I have ever seen for underwater writting is a common soft lead carpenters pencil --same thing as the one you used in 1st grade--works fantastic and even erases underwater

Brian on 15 Oct 2009 at 11:44

Think you can find them here too: http://www.jmpennifeather.co.uk/

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