Waterproof Pen

[Dan00001]

I know nothing about waterproof pens, or means of taking notes in the wet, but I need something reliable. What options do I have and what are others using? I have the waterproof notepad.

Thank you.

 

[trashcanman1984]

Am outside about 50% of the time in my job, and even with chartwell all weather pads, no weather 'claimed' proof writeable pen I had has beaten a pencil

Edit - Forgot to say I use a 4B pencil and when marking up glass/metal/plastic, I use a Chinagraph pencil/crayon

 

[Dan00001]

Thank you, I was told a pencil will work.

 

[Pattree]

Agree on pencil.
From long ago, I recommend a wide BB pencil. Not soft enough to keep breaking but lays down a good line.

This presumes that you are not attempting fine line calligraphy in a downpour.

 

[Watch-keeper]

Mine was always a couple of Derwent soft sketching pencils sharpened at both ends.

 

[oldtimer]

My pen writes underwater, upsidedown and a lot of other words too.

 

[Crac]

I would look at the Arts and Craft angle… they take no prisoners!

I'd test again smudges, water and resistance vs highlighter marker... so it's something you'd need to test in person.

Edit. I've had a lot of fun with this idea, but I don't think it's right.

 

[HorseGuy]

I recommend a wide BB pencil.

I didn't recognize that grade so had a look on the interwebz and couldn't find any mention of it. Do you mean a HB grade pencil? (that was always my general go to pencil in school)

 

[Crac]

Could mean 2B?

For example, sketching Pencils Set of 8: 4H (extremely hard wearing but light in colour), 2H, HB (The standard "middle" option), B, 2B, 4B, 6B (Super super soft, great for deep blacks), 8B.

For me, a lot would depend on the diameter of the lead... I much much prefer 0.5mm for writing and I use a softer "B" lead. If I went any softer I would be eating through leads at a crazy rate. With the softest pencils... for art work, you start needing a MUCH bigger pencil like maybe 4mm? because otherwise you'd spend all time preparing the pencil rather than work or practice.

​

 

[Dan00001]

Thanks all, it's for note taking outside in wet weather. No art work involved.

Would a fineliner or ballpoint be best?

And any benefit to an archival pen (didn't even know what one was- had to google it)

I'll definitely take a pencil but will also get a pen.

 

[Buckshot]

Presumably the paper used would make a difference as well?
Wet soggy normal paper will struggle rip easily - even high humidity will effect it

 

[Pattree]

How much writing will you be doing in the rain?
Notes/bullets?
Poetry?
Running commentary?

I’d use a pencil or my phone for all of it.
Have you tried a dictaphone app?

Edited to add:
I think that that you already have one of these.

 

[Dan00001]

How much writing will you be doing in the rain?
Notes/bullets?
Poetry?
Running commentary?

I’d use a pencil or my phone for all of it.
Have you tried a dictaphone app?

It's for use in mountain rescue (I've recently joined) so general notes about locations, missing people descriptions etc. etc.

I will see what other members are using, but we have a training exercise coming up so wanted to get something ordered for delivery this week.
I'm not against using a notepad app on my phone but I think I'm definitely quicker at physically writing things down with pen & paper than using my phones keypad.

 

[Dan00001]

Presumably the paper used would make a difference as well?
Wet soggy normal paper will struggle rip easily - even high humidity will effect it

Yes, more important than the pen. I have got a waterproof pad.

 

[Pattree]

This may not work - it’s an Apple thing.

Totally agree, wouldn’t mess with keyboard outdoors.

Edited to add:

I’ve just dictated a text to myself.
This gives me a written record rather than a recording. I’ve no idea whether it would work in a high wind but I’ll be using it in preference to anything else outdoors now.
I’ll still have a pencil and pad for back up and sketches/diagrams but this is quick, easy and easily accessible wherever I am. Don’t need signal. I can share it when I get back.(like a note book )

 

[Dan00001]

This may not work - it’s an Apple thing.

Totally agree, wouldn’t mess with keyboard outdoors.

Edited to add:

I’ve just dictated a text to myself.
This gives me a written record rather than a recording. I’ve no idea whether it would work in a high wind but I’ll be using it in preference to anything else outdoors now.
I’ll still have a pencil and pad for back up and sketches/diagrams but this is quick, easy and easily accessible wherever I am. Don’t need signal. I can share it when I get back.(like a note book )

Nope, not tried using an app on my phone, but will definitely give it a go. I think voice messages would be good in some scenarios, for instance taking notes of potential evidence whilst on a search etc. I don't think I fancy taking voice notes whilst in a group from the person in charge, I imagine I'd get some funny looks..

 

[Pattree]

I didn't recognize that grade so had a look on the interwebz and couldn't find any mention of it. Do you mean a HB grade pencil? (that was always my general go to pencil in school)

Sorry, missed this above.
Definitely NOT HB - too hard.
BB or 2B is a soft pencil that can take a bit of pressure and not need sharpening too often.
BBBB or 4B is often a shading tool. Lovely and dark but the point breaks easily.
Sharpening both ends is an excellent idea.

@Dan00001
. I don't think I fancy taking voice notes whilst in a group from the person in charge, I imagine I'd get some funny looks..

I can see it as a great way to summarise a casualty so that you have a reference.
It will have trouble with some names and addresses of course. It’s good at numbers and W3W references that I’ve tried. (Always take two adjacent W3W’s then there can’t be any confusion.)
It doesn’t seem to understand “crepitus”

 

[Chris]

Voice notes probably not so ideal for quickly referencing information whilst you're out on a search, either. Much faster to quickly scan some notes than to listen to a voice recording.

Fisher Space Pen works literally underwater, let alone in the rain. You don't have to buy the full pen if you don't like their specific pens, you can buy the refills and put them in another pen chassis.

 

[Chris]

Also these (from what I understand, they are rebranded Fisher Space Pen refills): https://www.anyweatherpaper.co.uk/products/rite-in-the-rain-all-weather-pocket-pen-bk92-2-pack

 

[Pattree]

Voice notes probably not so ideal for quickly referencing information whilst you're out on a search, either. Much faster to quickly scan some notes than to listen to a voice recording.

Fisher Space Pen works literally underwater, let alone in the rain. You don't have to buy the full pen if you don't like their specific pens, you can buy the refills and put them in another pen chassis.

Totally agree on recording in emergency/extreme conditions.

Just discovered how well dictation to ordinary text works to give you written reference.
I’ll be using that outdoors as soon as.

Still can’t see any advantage of a pen over a pencil.