pencil talk

In our previous review of top Japanese pencils, it was lamented that the Pentel Black Polymer 999α was unavailable. We did review, and have previously looked at, the second tier 999. “Second tier”? The 999 is without doubt one of the finest pencils ever made, so we’ve been extremely curious about what Pentel considers to be even better!

There are now a few vendors that sell Japanese pencils internationally. Despite numerous enquiries over a period of years, no vendor we’ve contacted has been able to obtain this pencil. The only online evidence that this pencil ever existed seems to be a few small photos and statements here and there. With thanks to the resourcefulness of isu of the uncomfortable chair, it is now possible to finally examine this pencil.

In grade ‘H’, two pencils were obtained. Here we invoke the ‘to have and to hold’ philosophy - keep one ‘as is’, and use, enjoy, test, write, with the other.

Pentel does not have their own woodcase pencil production facilities - these magnificent creations are apparently all subcontracted. Well, Pentel must be a first rate contract manager, because their products have turned out very well.

The 999α is a glossy black pencil with silver lettering and accents. The varnish quality is excellent.

Following previously introduced nomenclature -

The obverse reads:

Pentel Black Polymer 999α H

And the reverse:

supreme quality for drawing lines of high density CB200 JAPAN H

The pencil cap itself seems highly curious - possibly some sort of plastic or resin.

“Supreme quality” is a major boast, but if any company could deliver, it would presumably be Pentel, known for many lead and mechanical pencil achievements.

It being a pencil that likely exists in limited numbers, one was carefully sharpened in the “regular” slot of a Tombow SM-200WN sharpener.

It sharpened to a very fine point - which after several days of occasional use - has not yet broken.

‘H’ leads are outside our usual frame of reference - we know they are useful for many drafting and drawing purposes, but are typically harder than we would prefer for general writing/sketching.

To establish a context, two Staedtler Mars Lumograph 100 pencils in H were also tested - one new (silver lettering, bar code), and one perhaps five to ten years old, with white lettering and no bar code.

The two Staedtler pencils did not seem the same - the older one appeared to leave a fainter line.

Compared to either Staedtler pencil, the Pentel seemed to leave a richer, darker line, and to be extremely sturdy - combining a fine sharpening capability with great non-eroding durability . If ‘H’ pencils generally came like this, they would be loved by many.

Drafting-only pencils are somewhat out of our element, but nothing observed indicates that the 999α isn’t indeed of ’supreme quality’.

The 2010 is a vintage Tombow pencil. I was lucky enough to be be able to purchase a used box a few years ago, though the box has some tears, and isn’t full.

The writing is entirely in Japanese, and beyond my comprehension. The Tombow dragonfly graphic is wonderful, rendered with great detail.

The pencils themselves are marked in silver on green:

H.O.P. “Tombow” Pencil [logo] HB = 2010 D

If anyone can shed light on the meaning of the “H.O.P.” or circled “D”, please do.

After sharpening, the pencils seem somewhat scratchy and sub-par - not like the first-rate Tombow pencils of today.

[N.B. This post has been revised. The original article referred to these images as “centurions”, but in the comment section, it was noted that neither is a centurion.]

There is a certain well known pencil manufacturer who has often used a graphical image in their products, packaging, and advertising. The details of the image have changed over time, but it remains recognizable.

I just recently bough some pencils from another manufacturer, and to my surprise, they also have a relatively similar figure on their box.

Pencil image No. 1:

Pencil image No. 2:

Can anyone recognize both images?

The fourth in our series on Korean pencils.

The Fable is the top of the Dong-a line. It has the slogan, “The highest quality for general use.” Does this mean they are the highest quality, and can be used for general purposes, or does it mean that among the pool of “general use” pencils, the Fable has the highest quality?

The pencil is a rounded hexagonal shape, with black varnish and gold colored lettering. The pencil grade is highlighted with a grey band.

As to the quality - hmm, I am not able to convince myself that it is better than the regular Dong-a office pencil.

I would call it an unexceptional pencil.

David Hayward is a silversmith and designer who practices in Cheltenham, England.

I learned about his custom made leadholders from (where else?) leadholder.com.

My Lamy “Scribble” is trusted and proven, but I learned that david hayward design had introduced a “Scribbler”, also a wide lead leadholder, some years earlier.

I’m not certain if this is the one leadholder to rule them all, but it is very nice - exceptionally nice. Like the Montblanc Sketch Pen and the Mitsubishi Pure Malt, it is not just a creative writing and drawing implement, but an object worthy of appreciation in and of itself.

The pencil barrel is sterling silver with prominent hallmarks, the nose appears to be chrome finished, and the push button on top is also metal. The lead advance mechanism is push-button. (It is basically a mechanical pencil.)

This is a very refined pencil that rivals the quality and finish of any writing implement that I am aware of. It is also made by an individual craftsperson, which makes it all the more unique. Compared with other luxury writing implements, it is very reasonably priced.

2.0mm lead is widely available from both office and art supply stores, in a range of degrees, so refills are no problem. 2.0mm is also the width of the lead in woodcase pencils, so the handling is very familiar.

If you shake the pencil, the pushbutton makes a slight rattling noise. That is the only (very minor) thing I don’t like about it.

The pencil is very comfortable to hold, with a diameter of about 11mm. It combines a substantial heft with portability - a very powerful combination. I’ve been regularly using it for a few weeks, and like it all the more.

Has Dixon gone too far in extending the Ticonderoga brand?

Fort Ticonderoga has played a part in French, British, and especially American history. It played a landmark role in the American revolution. The Ticonderoga pencil has been named and marketed such that its identity is inextricably bound with this history. Dixon, dating from the 18th century, was itself a part of American history. Some would call the Dixon Ticonderoga successful branding.

So when Dixon releases a pencil like the Ticonderoga Noir, a Made in China garish fluorescent silver finish pencil with black dyed wood, I have to ask, have they strayed too far from the Ticonderoga brand and tradition? If they felt they had to release such a pencil, did they have to do it in the Ticonderoga name?

Am I being too harsh? Do you like this pencil? Would you buy it?

The 19th International Stationery and Office Products Fair in Tokyo (underway now) has seen a major pencil announcement - the revival of the famed Colleen Pencil Co. It seems this is the Thailand based version of the company, relaunching products in Japan.

Two products in particular look fantastic to me:

A nostalgic recreation of the 1967 Hi Pierce pencil in a beautiful pencil box. I wish other manufacturers would recreate their past masterpieces!

A luxury teak coloured pencil. I am not sure of the actual wood used in the pencil.

I will definitely be purchasing these products when they arrive on the market.

Congratulations, and best wishes to the Colleen Pencil Co.!

We’ve seen red and blue pencils from both the US and Europe - and now thanks to the kindness of fellow pencil aficionado isu from the uncomfortable chair, I am able to present some pencils from the estimable Kita-Boshi in Japan.

These aren’t just red and blue pencils - they are vermilion and prussian blue pencils!

Round in shape, the pencils are lettered in gold script. They easily sharpen, and the varnish seems first rate. Unlike some other red and blue pencils, the leads seem absolutely first rate - as strong and smooth as those in quality graphite pencils.

The red is more of an orange to my eye, which does meet the definition of “vermilion”, but I would prefer more of a “red” red. The blue has a great rich hue which is beyond reproach.

A mighty fine interpretation of a traditional pencil.

Further on red and blue pencils:

From penciltalk.org:
Red and Blue pencils
Red and Blue pencils II
Television! (The Conté Television 649 red and blue pencil)
Red and Blue pencils IV - Viarco

Red and Blue pencils V - a mechanical twist

From stdk.de:
Rot-Blau-Stifte

From rot-blau-stift.de:
Rot-Blau-Stift

From the uncomfortable chair:
さまざまな双頭たち