Which lasts longer, a pencil or pen? Last | By Lucien Bourdon | July 2025
When people start to learn about Bitcoin’s use, they often focus on big questions. What is the best wallet? How can I keep the coin safe?
But once a wallet backup or seed stationery is money, more practical questions begin to start. Where should I keep it? Do I have to make many copies?
And recently someone asked something surprisingly good. Which lasts longer, a pencil or pen?
It may sound like a small detail, but the wallet backup should survive for decades, as well as for several weeks or months. And when time comes, 12, 20 or 24 words must be clear, complete and available.
If you are new to a backup, this fast guide will explain the basics.
So I started to investigate it. The pencil vs. pen was just the beginning.
How do I make a backup that actually lasts?
What little choice today can stress later?
And how do you leave what the future self can actually use?
Let’s walk.
Graphite is not ink -it is mineral. Therefore, it is chemically stable and is resistant to fading or chemical reactions. Conservative authorities still recommend a soft graphite pencil for permanent notation because it still lasts many common inks.
The inter -Korean war diary and old field logs written in pencils often show long -term potential when stored properly today. However, graphite can be easily spread, very humid or rough, the mark can disappear from wear or wear. Therefore, using a pencil is recommended to press firmly and store the page carefully.
Ballpen is more permanent, but dye -based inks can disappear with light, humidity or heat, especially over time. If you are exposed to water or leakage, ink can bleed. Avoid this for storage pen. They use pigment -based inks to combine to paper and resist fading, smear and UV. There is a reason for artists and architects.
If you are serious about backup durability, this archive ink test compares the pen in water, UV and bungee stress. It provides a visual notification that not all inks are created the same.
Select well and save the options for decades. For pencils, use hard stroke and stable paper. For pen, select Archive Ink. And whatever you use, keep it in a dry and safe place.
But good backups need more than just durable ink. How to write and organize is also important.
Think about the paper itself before writing anything.
Inexpensive paper can be especially yellow, tears or disappeared over time in a wet or hot place. Find a thick, mountain in stock that has been withheld over the years. Avoid glossy surfaces. They resist the ink and make it easier to stain.
To protect it from water or friction, put the page in the archive polyester sleeve (eg MyLar or Melinex) or waterproof zipper pouch. Open it to avoid laminations. Over time, you can keep moisture, blow ink and accelerate damage.
Then it is safe and does not interfere.
Do you prefer stronger things? Wallet backup words are taken with stainless steel. Trezor Keep Metal is made for it. Metals survive in fire and water, but they are not more careful than paper and are difficult to update.
Recovering a wallet can be a stress, especially if you haven’t done it before.
If the seed phrase is written in two columns, you can easily lose your order. Is the word listed? It’s a small detail, but it can cause a lot of confusion and slow everything.
Each word number (1 ~ 12, 20 or 24) removes the guess.
If you haven’t checked your backup before, it’s a good time now. Most hardware wallets provide an option to check if it matches a backup word on the device. It takes a while and it will be easier to recover later.
If the backup word is numbered and check if it is correct, there is little to worry when you need to recover your wallet.
Take a moment before storing your backup and add some useful notes.
Write the name of the wallet you used, date and passwords are part of the setting. If so, make sure you have written a pass plant. If you are lost, you will lose money!
If you have multi -shared backups, multi -cos, or multiple coins or accounts in your wallet, check the details. In the case of multi -sharing backups, record the number of shares and the number of shares needed for at least for the stocks that are kept for themselves.
This small notification can make a big difference. A few months or a few years later, they will help you (or the person you trust) recover without guess.
Some memos today have these details fresh, but can prevent confusion.
Clear writing, good materials and safe storage are to trust wallet backups. You do not need perfection. Caution, consistency and some wise choices.
Not long after you checked your backup, it can be perfect this week.
