Okay, what's a decent pencil / writing instrument for use with WetNotes? The supplied pencils have a habit of swelling when wet, and the tip breaks / falls out, and they're impossible to sharpen underwater (I'm not going to start clipping off a pencil sharpener on a bolt snap!).
Someone mentioned a while ago the old fashion pencils that have a tube of fresh tips mounted in plastic running down the center - when a tip is worn out, you pull the plastic holder, and shove it back in the end of the pencil, which forces a new tip out. Haven't been able to find them anywhere though. Do mechanical pencils like a Pacer with the 0.7mm refills work? How about tradesmens pencils (the flat kind, forget their proper name)?
chickdiver
December 11th, 2002, 08:55 PM
mechanical pencils work fine (I use the cheap ones, since I sometimes loose/ break them). I imagine carpenter's pencils would work fine too, but they would also have the problem of the wood swelling.
ElectricZombie
December 11th, 2002, 09:11 PM
Scubaroo once bubbled...
Someone mentioned a while ago the old fashion pencils that have a tube of fresh tips mounted in plastic running down the center - when a tip is worn out, you pull the plastic holder, and shove it back in the end of the pencil, which forces a new tip out. Haven't been able to find them anywhere though.
They have them at every Target that I have been too. Made by a company called Rose Art. I bought 20 the last time I was there.
kcanty
December 11th, 2002, 10:18 PM
is their name. I just bought 50 for 11 bucks plus
shipping ( with dolphins on them! ) at
Fisher Space Pens. Yeah, the older folks are all going, "like the astronauts used?" That's the pen. The work in space and underwater.
Pro:
They write underwater, reliably, for a long, long time.
They considerably reduce the "smudgy" factor.
They can't be erased.
Con:
They cost more and are kind of hard to find.
They can't be erased.
Works for me, anyway.
Steven
kcanty
December 12th, 2002, 12:46 AM
Sorry 'bout that!
I thought I had seen it here!
( just read my post. I even said it. )
All credit to o-ring!!
Kell
kcanty
December 12th, 2002, 12:48 AM
Do they fit in the binder of wetnotes?
The one I had I think was a little 'fat' for that,
though that was quite a while ago when
I had one.
Kell
O-ring
December 12th, 2002, 12:49 AM
kcanty once bubbled...
Sorry 'bout that!
I thought I had seen it here!
( just read my post. I even said it. )
All credit to o-ring!!
Kell
I need every ounce of proof that I have contributed something to the board...that was my one shining moment...
Uncle Pug
December 12th, 2002, 12:58 AM
reefraff once bubbled...
Fisher Space Pens.
More than a little tough to tie a string to... so where do you put it and how do you keep the thing there?
kpauley
December 12th, 2002, 02:47 AM
They usually have a little box of them in the Lottery display so you can probably swipe a dozen or so. <grin>
reefraff
December 12th, 2002, 06:15 AM
Do they fit in the binder of wetnotes?
If you're using WetNotes, the barrel of a Space Pen is too wide to allow it to be slipped inside the the plastic rings of the binder.
If you've switched to looseleaf Dura-Rite, the pen fits inside the rings.
Where do you put it and how do you keep the thing there?
I took a piece of very thin bungee about a 18" long and tied one end around the barrel of the pen under the pocket clip. The other end I tied a small loop in. Normally, I keep the bungee looped through one of the rings in my Dura-Rite binder and the pen inside the rings, just like I used to do with pencils inside WetNotes.
Here's an enthusiastic plug - I think every diver should investigate Dura-Rite paper, especially if you're diving with WetNotes. Cool stuff! It's truly waterproof, like WetNotes, but it's made from paper. Unlike WetNotes, you can run it through a laser printer without melting, so you can print your bailout tables and site diagrams and still read them 100 dives later. Use it for your log sheets and you never have to worry about them getting soggy and falling apart. Carry some pre-printed log sheets with you and you can take notes while you're diving instead of trying to remember everything while getting your butt pounded on the boat ride back. Blank pages make for good, "Hey, what kind of shark is that coming up from behind you?" kind of notes. When it's dry, it feels and looks pretty much like "normal" paper. It comes in a variety of formats - a number of bound styles as well as looseleaf, pre-printed with a variety of lined patterns or blank. The looseleaf stuff measures 4 5/8" X 7" (just slightly larger than WetNotes) and is pre-punched for a little six ring binder. The binder is GREAT. It allows you to add, remove and reshuffle pages easily and to carry as much or as little paper as you're going to need. I had about 60 freshwater dives and 50 saltwater dives this year and the binder has held up just fine.
Dura-Rite - take a look at their website (https://durarite.safeserver.com/index.html)
An earlier Scuba Board thread that discusses Wet Notes and Dura-Rite (http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15538&highlight=waterproof+paper)
It's good stuff.
Steven
danw2002
December 12th, 2002, 08:06 AM
I found a old 'china wax marker' that looks like it will work great on slates, I dont know if they are avalable new, the only new ones i have seen are the ones wraped in wood and you 'peal' them for a new point. the one I have has the wax 'stick' in a plastic tube and it screws out from the back to feed it out. will let you know how it works under water and if i find a new source for them.....:mean:
salty
December 12th, 2002, 01:47 PM
I have a quick Q regarding wet notes. How do you turn the pages with goves on? And if you tell me to take them off then tell me how to keep my hands warm in 40-50 degF water:eek: . If needed the gloves come off of corse but if there is a trick let me know, thanks.
Ron
Aquamaniac
December 12th, 2002, 02:28 PM
Ive never needed more than 2 pages (i have better things to do under water than write) So its never been an issue.
Dave
O-ring
December 12th, 2002, 03:03 PM
salty once bubbled...
I have a quick Q regarding wet notes. How do you turn the pages with goves on? And if you tell me to take them off then tell me how to keep my hands warm in 40-50 degF water:eek: . If needed the gloves come off of corse but if there is a trick let me know, thanks.
Ron
...the funny thing is that because water is so much more dense than air the pages almost turn themselves- they quasi float when you try to flip one..hard to explain. I think it is much easier to turn the pages in Wetnotes underwater than on land. I have never had a problem turning pages in my 3mm gloves, but I haven't tried it with thicker gloves.
salty
December 12th, 2002, 04:23 PM
Looks like in addition to my kicks Ill have to practice using my wet notes too. I feeel ashamed to say it but in the past year I have never needed to use then thus never opend them underwater. I ASSumed that like on land the wet pages would stick.
O-ring
December 12th, 2002, 04:24 PM
salty once bubbled...
Looks like in addition to my kicks Ill have to practice using my wet notes too. I feeel ashamed to say it but in the past year I have never needed to use then thus never opend them underwater. I ASSumed that like on land the wet pages would stick.
I think I had them for 3-4 months before I wrote anything on them...
MikeFerrara
December 12th, 2002, 04:46 PM
For writting on wet note...I use a wet pencil.
salty
December 13th, 2002, 11:30 AM
:) :rolleyes:
Aquamaniac
December 13th, 2002, 11:40 AM
O-ring once bubbled...
I think I had them for 3-4 months before I wrote anything on them...
Truth is that it took him 3-4 months to figure out how to use the pencil.........;)
O-ring
December 13th, 2002, 11:40 AM
Aquamaniac once bubbled...
Truth is that it took him 3-4 months to figure out how to use the pencil.........;)
Now get back in the kitchen and make me a Vegemite sandwich...
Scubaroo
December 13th, 2002, 01:19 PM
O-ring once bubbled...
Now get back in the kitchen and make me a Vegemite sandwich... What's your address I'll mail you some.
Guaranteed to make the uninitiated gag in horror!
sillygrendel
December 13th, 2002, 01:38 PM
I had a friend who would eat that stuff by the spoonful! Made me sick just watching...
Not too bad w/butter & toast though!
Scubaroo
December 13th, 2002, 01:45 PM
sillygrendel once bubbled...
Not too bad w/butter & toast though!Best way to eat it! Especially when the toast is really hot, and the butter and vegemite all melts and mixes in...
Dryglove
December 13th, 2002, 01:58 PM
Scubaroo once bubbled...
Best way to eat it! Especially when the toast is really hot, and the butter and vegemite all melts and mixes in...
Yuck!! My wife is from australia and loves that nasty stuff you guys call vegemite.Just the smell knocks me over :out:
O-ring
December 13th, 2002, 02:02 PM
It's basically scrapple, but made from kangaroos instead of pigs. Here's the label transcribed:
Contents: whipped kangaroo fetus, chopped kangaroo genitalia, kangaroo eyes, koala ears, Bloomin' Onion (TM), one oil can of Foster's beer, tumbleweeds, one British convict (minced), preservatives.
Scubaroo
December 13th, 2002, 02:11 PM
Actually you've just described a roadkill breakfast - and we use backpackers now, not convicts.
Vegemite is made from yeast extract, but smells like it's made from yeast extract.
Scubaroo
December 13th, 2002, 02:23 PM
That recipe also calls for metric measuring cups.
Aquamaniac
December 13th, 2002, 02:24 PM
O-ring once bubbled...
It's basically scrapple, but made from kangaroos instead of pigs. Here's the label transcribed:
Contents: whipped kangaroo fetus, chopped kangaroo genitalia, kangaroo eyes, koala ears, Bloomin' Onion (TM), one oil can of Foster's beer, tumbleweeds, one British convict (minced), preservatives.
(shaking head)......Im really starting to like this guy......
wb416
December 13th, 2002, 02:31 PM
O-ring once bubbled...
...the funny thing is that because water is so much more dense than air the pages almost turn themselves- they quasi float when you try to flip one..hard to explain. I think it is much easier to turn the pages in Wetnotes underwater than on land. I have never had a problem turning pages in my 3mm gloves, but I haven't tried it with thicker gloves.
I've been able to turn pages and retrieve the pencil inside the cover "sleeve" using diving concepts insulated dry gloves...
Also, sharpened a broken pencil underwater with a dive knife once... wasn't that bad... hardest part was getting my buddy to let me use his knife :-)
O-ring
December 13th, 2002, 02:36 PM
cwb once bubbled...
I've been able to turn pages and retrieve the pencil inside the cover "sleeve" using diving concepts insulated dry gloves...
Also, sharpened a broken pencil underwater with a dive knife once... wasn't that bad... hardest part was getting my buddy to let me use his knife :-)
My worst underwater communication episode yet was when I stuck the cap on the end of the pencil (the top) too tight while writing and when I was done went to pull it off and recap the pencil...well, the little rubber gasket thing that holds all the leads in the pop-a-point pencil came off and I had those little leads everywhere....the pencils don't write without ALL the leads in them...good thing I had a spare.
roakey
December 13th, 2002, 03:53 PM
Those things are cool. I'll test drive them in Akumal in a day or two.
Roak
Dectek
December 13th, 2002, 05:47 PM
Roak....where ya staying in Akumal? I know of a couple local Jerseyites down there. One dude from San Diego too.
Oring....do you guys have scrapple down there or are you a transplant?
As to the pencils. Some companies make pencils out of recycled plastic instead of wood. Check out your local stationary supply store and read the pencil boxes.
http://www.ideas21.co.uk/76
O-ring
December 13th, 2002, 05:50 PM
Oring....do you guys have scrapple down there or are you a transplant?
Transplant...and my father is a scrapple junkie...
Aquamaniac
December 13th, 2002, 06:16 PM
Dectek once bubbled...
Roak....where ya staying in Akumal? I know of a couple local Jerseyites down there. One dude from San Diego too.
Oring....do you guys have scrapple down there or are you a transplant?
As to the pencils. Some companies make pencils out of recycled plastic instead of wood. Check out your local stationary supply store and read the pencil boxes.
I have a pencil made from recycled US Currency, dont know where it came from though....
Pez de Diablo
April 9th, 2003, 03:57 PM
I was just wondering if anyone bothers to dry out their Wet Notes book or just let it sit and take care of its self?
I typicaly wipe of the each page before storing my gear after a dive trip, but it seems silly to do this. Maybe I'll live on the edge and pack it away as is.
Pez
diveski01
April 28th, 2003, 11:36 AM
I use a cheap plasic twist-up type w/ eraser: papermate sharpwriter.
Seems to work pretty well so far - almost fits into the binding of the wetnotes but can be tricky advancing the lead with drygloves.
Dee
April 28th, 2003, 12:58 PM
The pencil that comes with DiveRites Executive slate is my favorite. After seeing the link to the Pop-A-Points, it's the same thing. My only complaint is that if anything it stay sharp too long! IIt writes in such a thin line that it can be hard to see underwater. So I've been wearing down the tip a bit whenever changing points....about once a year!
Norm
May 11th, 2003, 02:20 PM
Scubaroo I've tried almost everything out there and I have found that the best thing (for me) is to take a regular wooden pencil, break off the eraser, sharpen both ends, and add a drop of oil to the tapered wooden surface before a day of diving. This seems to keep them from swelling or splitting!
Norm
roakey
June 15th, 2003, 08:16 AM
Dectek once bubbled...
Roak....where ya staying in Akumal? I know of a couple local Jerseyites down there. One dude from San Diego too.
I left that evening to stay at the airport, so I never saw your question, and when I came back because I was so far behind!
I stayed at Aquatech and was diving with Connie.
And by the way everyone, those pencils are the greatest thing since sliced bread!
Roak
ericfine50
June 15th, 2003, 09:32 AM
I just picked up a pack of Liquid Lead Penciles from Staples for about 5 bucks for 8 of them. Work real well.
Eric
metaldector
June 22nd, 2003, 08:39 PM
I worked for the largest pencil and oldest pencil manufacturer in the world for 10 years. I think I can tell you a little about pencils. First wooden pencils are made from three parts, the first being two slats of cedar wood, and grooved to hold a piece of graphite lead. The graphite and wood are glued together and pressure applied. Paint is coated on the out side, a ferrel and eraser if needed is fixed on one end. These pencils were never intended for use underwater. If used will swell, the glue will soften and the lead and (bonded) wood will seperate.
There is another type of pencil which used on paper is inferior, but works well under water. It's an extruded pencil. The wood and lead are both plastic and exturded at the same time. Since there isn't any wood, glue, or graphite to delaminate this pencil will not seperate. The best known brand of this type of pencil is American Pencil or Berol.
As for China Markers, or grease pencils, these will not work under water long as they are wrapped in paper with a string close to the wax core. The paper will soak and come off.
The best bet is to fine a cheap golf pencil made by American or Berol. Hope this helps. :doctor:
