As far as surveying goes, this is pretty far down on the list of interesting topics, but has anyone who uses the Dixon Redimark markers for writing on stakes experienced a noticeable drop in quality? Seems like they are already dried up right out of the box. Used to be able to get months worth of use out of one, but now they hardly last half that long. Tried the Ideal markers, but they a pain with the tips that commonly fall out.
Try the Berol "Toughpoint" markers. They can be hard to find, but worth the search.
Although Dixon Ticonderoga Company's international headquarters are in Florida, they are a multi-national company and have been for some time. You might contact the actual manufacturer with your complaints...in your best Mandarin, of course.
Dixon Beijing,
No. 16 Yaoxinzhuang Village
ZhangJiawan Twon
Tongzhou District
Beijing, China 101113
Make sure you store them tip down...
I have heard the best way to keep markers going for the longest amount of time is to store them with the tip facing downwards (I guess gravity will make sure all of the ink available will always be at the tip). I have done this with my King Size Sharpies and they work fine for me.
Make sure you store them tip down...
I used Redimarks forever, then got to try some King-Sized Sharpies, they are great. I'll never go back to RediMark.
We like and use the Ideal markers, and we do this to keep the tips in place: when new, before soaking the tip with ink - remove the tip and take a pocketknife and split the end of the tip about a 1/4 inch that goes onto the barrel. This will widen the tip end and once soaked, stays in place a lot longer. I do buy a bag of extra tips about every third box of markers, but once we started splitting the tip, they fall out far less often.
Make sure you store them tip down...
We noticed that the RediMarks were not lasting as long, a few years back.
That's when we switched to Sharpie King Size.
Now, unfortunately, they also seem to get used up way too quick.
Less ink in the same sized package.
Let's find a good marker maker and support them!
My staking pencil never dries out....
Staking Pencil?
Is that like a lumber crayon? If so, what color?
> My staking pencil never dries out....
Negro lead holder? I still use one -- it's always in my vest -- but I don't do a lot of stake marking anymore.
I use the fat, round #2 pencil (beginners) like you used when you were in 1st grade.
indents the stake also so you can read it years later. I've been on jobs where marker has faded off stakes after one season.
don't sharpen it to a sharp point....