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I don't understand the appeal of Sharpies. Even if left unused, they die out in a relatively short time. The ones meant for paper are not meant to be used on wh

I don't understand the appeal of Sharpies. Even if left unused, they die out in a relatively short time. The ones meant for paper are not meant to be used on whiteboards. And they don't write (flow) particularly well on either (the colored ones are particularly terrible on whiteboards). Maybe I'm using them wrong. Happy to be corrected, and to hear your recos on better alternatives.

happytoexplain 1y ago
I'm a little confused about your reference to white boards. I didn't know that there are sharpies intended for white boards. Isn't their whole point that they're permanent? Separately - try "super permanent" sharpies. I love them.
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- fragmede 1y ago
  Thoroughly semi permanent if you use the sharpies to write a template, for example a tic-tac-toe board use the whiteboard markers play the game and the regular race shirt who is just the moves and you’re left with the sharpie. In order to get it off you write over the sharpie with a whiteboard marker and then eraser with a regular eraser and then it’ll go away.
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tonyarkles 1y ago
I use them frequently for marking non-writing-paper things like aluminum brackets, tape labels on wires, circuit boards, spray bottles of chemicals, boxes, etc.
FridayoLeary 1y ago
I think they are the best permanent markers out there, i've never had your problems. It's odd because all the other good stationary products are japanese, french or german.
driverdan 1y ago
Jobsite permanent markers are better in every way and are the same price or cheaper.
o11c 1y ago
> Even if left unused, they die out in a relatively short time. Out of all the markers I've ever reached for, I think I've seen every kind except Sharpie go dry.
Mistletoe 1y ago
Do you put the lid back on? I’ve had Sharpies decades old still write like new.
SanjayMehta 1y ago
I have a pack of Sharpies which I bought in 2011. Lightly used. Not dry. I store them horizontally.
bcoates 1y ago
The only complaint I have about sharpies is the crap ergonomics on the barrel, causing people to wrap tape around it just to get a nice grip, which inevitably gets super gross: https://www.science.org/do/10.1126/science.aan7026/full/lanl-rods-too-close.png https://www.science.org/do/10.1126/science.aan7026/full/lanl...
imp0cat 1y ago
Most acrylic markers have similar problems (clogging, drying out too quickly especially if the cap is not perfectly sealed...), but the end results are worth it.
astura 1y ago
This is a rather strange comment, Sharpies are permanent markers that aren't designed for whiteboards. Nor do they dry out, I've had Sharpies last multiple decades. Are you thinking of something else, perhaps? The benefit of Sharpies is that you can mark most surfaces with them and its permanent. NASA uses Sharpies because they can be used in zero gravity. I suppose you could use them on paper but it's likely they'd probably bleed thru.

happytoexplain 1y ago

I'm a little confused about your reference to white boards. I didn't know that there are sharpies intended for white boards. Isn't their whole point that they're permanent? Separately - try "super permanent" sharpies. I love them.

deleted 1y ago
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fragmede 1y ago
Thoroughly semi permanent if you use the sharpies to write a template, for example a tic-tac-toe board use the whiteboard markers play the game and the regular race shirt who is just the moves and you’re left with the sharpie. In order to get it off you write over the sharpie with a whiteboard marker and then eraser with a regular eraser and then it’ll go away.
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tonyarkles 1y ago

I use them frequently for marking non-writing-paper things like aluminum brackets, tape labels on wires, circuit boards, spray bottles of chemicals, boxes, etc.

FridayoLeary 1y ago

I think they are the best permanent markers out there, i've never had your problems. It's odd because all the other good stationary products are japanese, french or german.

driverdan 1y ago

Jobsite permanent markers are better in every way and are the same price or cheaper.

o11c 1y ago

> Even if left unused, they die out in a relatively short time. Out of all the markers I've ever reached for, I think I've seen every kind except Sharpie go dry.

Mistletoe 1y ago

Do you put the lid back on? I’ve had Sharpies decades old still write like new.

SanjayMehta 1y ago

I have a pack of Sharpies which I bought in 2011. Lightly used. Not dry. I store them horizontally.

bcoates 1y ago

The only complaint I have about sharpies is the crap ergonomics on the barrel, causing people to wrap tape around it just to get a nice grip, which inevitably gets super gross: https://www.science.org/do/10.1126/science.aan7026/full/lanl-rods-too-close.png https://www.science.org/do/10.1126/science.aan7026/full/lanl...

imp0cat 1y ago

Most acrylic markers have similar problems (clogging, drying out too quickly especially if the cap is not perfectly sealed...), but the end results are worth it.

astura 1y ago

This is a rather strange comment, Sharpies are permanent markers that aren't designed for whiteboards. Nor do they dry out, I've had Sharpies last multiple decades. Are you thinking of something else, perhaps? The benefit of Sharpies is that you can mark most surfaces with them and its permanent. NASA uses Sharpies because they can be used in zero gravity. I suppose you could use them on paper but it's likely they'd probably bleed thru.