Category: Mitsubishi

Another magnificent set of pencils in tribute to the Japanese railway system. This is a set of 18 colour pencils, housed in a tin case, and made by the esteemed Mitsubishi Pencil Co.

The inside of the lid reveals some details:

We also see the familiar mark of the Mitsubishi Pencil Company:

The pencil set is stunning, and includes an eraser and sharpener:

The pencils have a distinctive style, and extensive attention to detail:

Interesting as pencils, they are also amazing reflections of other realms.

We have seen train themed pencils from Tombow. Here is a 2005 set of colour pencils from Mitsubishi, also honouring the Japanese Railway.

While Tombow used graphite, these are colour pencils.

Each box has a serial number.

The lid shows details of the trains depicted.

And mentions the manufacturer:

A handy (for those who can read it) map is enclosed. I haven’t taken it out of the plastic enclosure.

The pencil set is a delight, and would make an incredibly nice yet modestly priced gift.

The illustrations are exquisite – a different style, and perhaps even more varied and colourful, than Tombow’s similar offerings.

The subject matter and format blend extremely well. Some of the illustrations achieve a three dimensional quality.

Highly recommended!

See also the Tombow train pencils:

Series 1 (at penciltalk.org)

Series 2 (at penciltalk.org)

Series 3 (at penciltalk.org)

All three series at kossy-RS4

Let’s continue celebrating the new year by looking at a rare and special pencil.

Sold individually with a cloth pouch and leather strap closure, it is meant to be a masterpiece of pencil production.

The pencil is a Mitsubishi Hi-Uni HB, finished with a traditional Japanese lacquering process. I am not privy to the technical details.

The pencil was produced in black, navy blue, and brown finishes, with thirty pencils produced in each colour. There are no markings or text on the pencil. The only accent is a section of woodgrain near the cap.

The pencil in the photo is the navy blue version, the only colour I was able to purchase.

The charms are on the subtle side, and the design is very restrained and simple.

As a sequel to our recent look at Mitsubishi’s 10B pencils, here are two special pencils in the 8B grade.

First is the Hi-Uni Super-DX. A few pencils have passed this way since the website started in 2005, and I have no hesitation in stating that this is the nicest, most refined finish I’ve ever seen on a woodcase pencil. There are several coats of lacquer which create an impression of depth, with tones ranging from cherry red to rich maroon popping out, depending on the light and angle of viewing. The advanced craftsmanship that went into designing and creating this pencil’s surface is exemplary. The gold lettering and cap are nicely contrasting.

The Hi-Uni 8B is one of five new grades that was introduced by Mitsubishi for the Uni’s 50th anniversary, along with 10H, 7B, 9B, and 10B. Premium Japanese pencils all have first rate finishes, and it is a testament to the Super-DX that it makes the Hi-Uni look relatively ordinary.

The core diameters are quite different – the Super-DX is oversized like the 10B pencils, while the Hi-Uni is closer to traditional size.

Both are great pencils, leaving super dark and rich marks. Yet – the formulas seem to be different, with the Super-DX being even smoother and waxier. Others who have tried both pencils agree.

The Hi-Uni Super-DX is an amazingly great pencil. My apologies, as I don’t think these photos give it full justice.

(The pencils were photographed on a Maruman Mnemosyne 182 notebook, which seems to handle graphite extremely well.)

This is the first luxury woodcase pencil accessory we’ve seen from a pencil manufacturer other than Faber-Castell. In this case, it is Mitsubishi, celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of their Uni brand. As well as new pencil grades, which we have mentioned, Mitsubishi has unveiled this luxury pencil holder.

As opposed to other holders/extenders, this model can grasp an entire pencil as well as making use of the last bits of a pencil, and includes a full cap with clip.

In the box, it might appear to be a fountain pen. Yet the two woodcase pencils therein indicate otherwise.

The holder has three detachable parts.

The base is the closest to a traditional pencil holder. It is a wood finish holder dyed to Mitsubishi’s traditional maroon colour. Accents are in gun metal and gold. Unlike other holders, the end of the base is hollow, so that the cap of a new full-length pencil may protrude.

A pencil is gripped by a cylindrical chrome clasp that screws on to the base.

The piece that makes this really special is the cap – gun metal with gold clip and gold and black accents. It protects the pencil point when closed, and can be ‘posted’ on the holder to achieve a very nice balance while writing.

The case is a very dark wood, simply marked ‘uni’, with a very efficient hidden magnetic clasp.

Mitsubishi has done a great deal to raise the quality of the manufactured pencil, and this is a great accessory to match.

Congratulations to the venerable Mitsubishi Pencil Company (founded in 1887) on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the Uni pencil brand!

This anniversary was publicly marked last month with press releases and some new products – a pencil holder that we’ll look at in a future post, and an extension of the range of the Hi-Uni pencil to twenty-two degrees – 10H to 10B!

The Hi-uni 10B is especially interesting because Mitsubishi just introduced another 10B pencil – the brush pencil (fude enpitsu)! See more at Dave’s Mechanical Pencils.

So what is the difference between the two? Let’s take a look.

Weight

The Hi-uni may weigh more. We are using a small sample size here (basically one or two), and past experience indicates that individual pencils, containing organic elements (wood) can have some weight variation. But, this Hi-uni is fractionally heavier than the brush pencil.

Diameter

The side-to-side length of both pencils, measured by a micrometer, is 7.25mm. They are indistinguishable in this aspect.

Lead core

I don’t know a way to remove just – and only just – the wood, so as to place the core in the micrometer. Viewing a ruler by eye has led me both ways – the cores are the same – or – they are not the same.

On paper

The darkness difference between the pencils – if it exists – isn’t anything I can reliably distinguish.

The drawing experience favors the brush pencil – they are waxier and smoother, in my estimation.

10B is an extreme grade for some, yet I hope it will be tried by those who are interested.

Overall, these pencils are great contributions to the world of graphite arts. While some proclaim the pencil dead, Mitsubishi Pencil Co. is investing in extending the product – and succeeding.

My thanks to isu of the uncomfortable chair for sending me the fude enpitsu!