The Koh-I-Noor Triograph is an unusual offering. The oversized triangular shape along with the rich stained wood finish make these pencils seem like small pieces of furniture.
The pencil diameter is 10.5mm, and the core a very wide 6mm. It weighs 11 grams. To contrast this with other large triangular pencils, here are some statistics (all values approximate):
| Pencil | Weight | Diameter | Core | Sharpened | Cap |
| Koh-I-Noor Triograph | 11.2g | 10.5mm | 6mm | yes | finished |
| Faber-Castell Jumbo Grip | 7.3g | 9mm | 3mm | yes | unfinished |
| Dixon Tri-Conderoga | 7.1g | 7mm | 2mm | no | ferrule/eraser |
| Mongol Trio | 8.2g | 9mm | 3mm | no | ferrule/eraser |
Even compared with other oversize pencils, the Triograph is quite hefty.
Made in the Czech Republic, the pencil comes in three soft grades – 2B, 4B, and 6B. (Pictured are the 6B, with the darker stained wood, and the 2B.) They have a nicely finished black cap, and the stamping is in gold. The pencil’s wood stain surface is what makes it so unusual. It really does look like something that shouldn’t be disposable.
The lead is dark and rich, and certainly quite usable. The finish is unique, quite different from any other pencil I’ve seen. The large triangular shape will be a deciding factor for many. It’s large enough that you either like the feel or not. As well, like the International Arrivals pencils, it’s too wide for even the wide hole in dual hole sharpeners. This puts it in sharpen-by-knife territory, which may or may not be something you’re fine with.
Now that’s and interesting looking piece of wood. I’m not so sure about the whole knife-sharpening thing though – hard to do well unless you are experienced. Haven’t gone looking, but maybe K-I-N make a sharpener that fits it?
K-I-N? Is that K-U-M? They do make large diameter sharpeners. Here is a link. But I’m not thrilled by the idea of mail ordering a special sharpener just to be able to use a locally purchased pencil. (Though it wouldn’t be the craziest thing I’ve ever done.)
Overall, needing a specialty sharpener defeats the pencil’s utility, IMHO.
I just made up K-I-N on the spot as shorthand for Koh-I-Noor. Agree about the utility, but hey, this is a piece of “furniture” not just an ordinary pencil, so you’ve got make allownaces. :)
Well, Maybe Staedtler Noris Club sharpener, for Staedtler elefant colored pencil fits this pencil. (Diameter of Staedtler elefant colored pencil is about 11mm.)
Here’s a link for that sharpener. http://www.megaffice.co.kr/shopping/shopping-detail.php?pi=4082#
I have 8 of these so far. They are excellent. To sharpen I use an xActo knife. It is 3 sided and the lead is also nicely 3 sided so you can get nice, flat shading. Some I have short points on, and some are sharpened to expose 1 inch of graphite. The graphite is ultra high quality so the lines are typically even. I’m going to pick up 2 more dozen so I’ll always have them laying around, they are that good : )
Wow, thanks for that endorsement!
I should have added a disclaimer to my above comment yesterday.
I’m a “beginner” artist and haven’t tried the Conte, Faber-Castell, nor the Derwent brand drawing pencils yet. But there is one pencil I like a lot more then the 1830 above. What I said about the 1830 above goes double for the the Prismacolor pure woodless graphite. It’s shading is more pure and dark then the Koh-I-Noor Triograph and it lays down very smooth lines & textures.
I love the 6B Triograph, it’s been my first choice in recent months and it’s great for gesture drawing and getting fast blocks of deep values. I love the feel of it in hand and on the paper. And I found an inexpensive plastic sharpener that works great with it. Unfortunately there’s no brand name but I found it in a North American craft/art/hobby chain store called Micheal’s. It’s a small plastic box-type two-holer, with one extra-large opening. I bought a quantity of the pencils and am going back to get more, and I guess I should stock up on the sharpeners, too.
I also loved the Grumbacher Pentalic Woodless pencils but I thought they stopped making them, or am I mistaken?
Hi zeladoniac,
I havn’t seen the Grumbacher Pentalic but you might want to try one of those Prismacolor woodless graphites. I cleaned out the Michales Wilm De store of their 6B Triograph stock ; ). Try sharpening the 1830 w/an Xacto. You can have 3 sides of differing lengths for quick, different shade widths.
I also just found this at dickblick.com: LYRA GRAPHITE CRAYON. It’s a huge high quality graphite crayon stick. All I can say is wow. I started drawing to become a better painter. I almost want to just draw now, it’s so much more fun!
Wow, it sounds like this is a popular pencil.
Re the Grumbacher Pentalic Woodless: This statement is at the grumbacherart.com website: “Chartpak is pleased to welcome Grumbacher® to its portfolio of legacy brands.” Let me try and translate: Hasta la vista, less profitable brands.
I’ve also see woodless pencils in standard sizes from Derwent and Koh-I-Noor as well.
I love the Lyra Graphite crayon also. I mentioned it here about a year ago. With a little guidance from some first rate art supply store staff, I figured out that using the water soluble version on watercolour paper, with a flat brush, can be quite a thrill.
How do we order these for our classroom supplies please?
Hi,
You can get these Triangular pencils from this site:
http://czech-art-supplies.com/koh-i-noor-triograph-6-thick-triangular-graphite-pencils-hb
(No, I don’t make any commissions, just know about it!)
Thanks
Czech Art Supplies – very nice! Thanks for sharing that, Dan.
I havwe been using these pencils for almost a year…absolutely love them!! To bad the local Michael’s stopped carrying them, so only place I can get is online :(
Sharpeners at Lowe’s or Home Depot for large carpenters pencils work great on the Triograph 1830 cost about $1.00 – $2.00