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:
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My Mitsubishi red and blues are vermillion and prussian blue, as well. Interesting. While in Japan I also saw several red and blue pencils that weren’t a 50/50 split in color, but more like 70/30, favoring red.
Having used my red and blue pencil for a mere two weeks, I can already see the utility of such a scheme.
I want to know WHERE you can buy these kind of pencils online? I see all the talk about them but no information as th WHERE to get them. I found the TOMBOW VP 8900 and love it, but can’t get anymore.
as far as the consistent russian blue and vermillion colours in japan, they are both specifically two of the most traditional colours used in japanese design kon-iro and shu-iro.