PENS, PENCILS & ERASERS

Gel pens and mascara—the two causes of smear fear. Cure the first one with this pack of (20) gel highlighter markers. They’re not felt-tip highlighters, but a waxy, crayon-ish filler that lays down a day-glo translucent stripe. You advance it by twisting the top. Manufacturer says it won't dry out, smear or bleed through. You’ll get (10) neon yellow-chartreuse plus (2) each in pink, purple, blue, green and orange.

InkJoy is the Paper Mate® name for a particularly smooth ink, but it’s the medium 1mm points that make these so pleasant to write with. Measure 6” long with black ink and pocket-clip caps. Our each is a pack of (8) pens.

What would you use to fill in those little circles? You’d use this extra-wide Scantek™ test-taking mechanical pencil? You passed! The lead in this beauty is the famous #2, and is .9 mm wide, like an italic pen nib. Comes with refill leads, a pocket clip and a large eraser. If our Tech Whiz Billy had had this pencil when he was younger, he'd have made double 800s on the SAT and wouldn't be working here today. Also great for doing calligraphy in pencil, which makes teachers swoon.

You sweet erasable, you. Dry-erase markers are the best invention since chalk, and these premium beauties from Monaggio™ are designed for professional artists but suitable for home, school or office. Wherever you are, go ahead and pick: the 12-pack of classic black or the 12-pack of colors, (3) each of red, blue, green and black. All are fine-point, 4-1/2” long with a cap. Get the ones that work for you and go write something you can later erase dryly.

Go ahead—try to keep these BIC® Round Stic® pens long enough that they run out of ink on you. We think you’ll lose them before that happens—that’s how long they last. Luckily, you’ll get a box of (12) if you’re prone to losing them. With black ink, and “Xtra-Life,” these are the thin, 6” long everyday pens that seem to always work. With removable, pocket-clip caps. You need these—or eventually you will.

Time for some new ballpoint pens? Always, right? This (18)-pack of BIC® Glide™ pens promises smooth writing action and bold lines in (4) ink colors. You’ll get (8) black, (6) blue, (2) red and (2) green pens, each with a retractable 1.6mm point, pocket clip and comfort grip. Our copywriters can confirm that they’re a joy to write with. They can also confirm that it’s sometimes OK to dangle a preposition, regardless of the pen you’re using.

Where else can you find (lightly) scented erasers shaped like giant rings with 1” square jewels? And packed inside clear plastic spheres? We’ll pick (1) in white, yellow, blue, green or another lovely color, but if you simply must have pink we’ve got that, too, and we’ll send it to you.

…with a highlighter, you’d have one of these mega-handy and ultra-cute Mini Brightwriters®. Measure approx 2” long x 5/8” oval, with chisel tips, molded grips and pocket clips. Our each is (4)-pack in green, pink, yellow, and orange, with which nothing rhymes with.

Actually, it's a Round Stic®, without the “k,” which is the name BIC® gives to its #1 selling ballpoint pen. They're black, and round, with black ink and medium points. Also have separate caps with pocket clips. Hard to go wrong at (10) for two bucks. “Writes First Time, Every Time®,” they say.

Is that a pencil in your pocket, and wouldn't you like a little stubby highlighter that didn't take up so much room? Our each is (2) neon-yellow markers with 1/8" tips in soft-grip housings just 2-5/8" long x 1" oval, with a little slot on the cap for a chain if you want to wear them on a string or attach them to a key ring. And why wouldn't you?

Or are you just under heavy pressure to start writing right now! We know, we know. That’s why our copywriters always buy these pre-sharpened #2 pencils, to get those terrible jokes down on paper ASAP. And yes, they have erasers because sometimes we’re not funny, and we all make mistakes. In packs of (10) at 7-3/8” long.

Yes, sports fans and people with small hands, now you can own those very special short pencils favored by professional golfers and primary grade teachers the world over. You get (250) pencils, at less than (7) cents each. Not much less, but less. They come in assorted colors, all our samples were red, blue and black, but they could be any color or even mixed (we'll let the Surplus gods decide what we send your way). They are blanks, so no need to worry about showcasing anyone's corporate logo. Definitely not available from your local pro shop.

Who among us doesn’t? Even a just man falls seven times. Just get this little eraser wheel, 1-7/8" dia x 3/8" thick in latex-fee rubber. The plastic housing rotates to keep it closed and schmutz-free in your drawer, just waiting for you to err.