Faber-Castell erasable colour pencils

Faber-Castell erasable colour pencils

Though erasable colour pencils may not be new, they remain a small specialty pencil category.

This situation might soon change, as Faber-Castell has introduced a new product in this category.

Faber-Castell erasable colour pencils

Aimed at children, it is a set of twelve pencils, each with the lead colour matching the pencil finish and eraser.

Faber-Castell erasable colour pencils

The pencils have no model number, and are marked “Radierbar/Erasable”. As well as a space to write one’s name, they notably state “Made in Germany”. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this full statement on the body of a Faber-Castell pencil.

The box indicates some possible student uses, such as learning algebra or a foreign language, as well as drawing. The potential for erasable colour marks appears promising in the educational realm.

Faber-Castell erasable colour pencils

The box as well mentions FSC certification. I looked up the certificate (IC-COC-100002), and it unfortunately appears to be generic to Faber-Castell, with no interesting information about the species of wood, or even the part of the world it came from.

Faber-Castell erasable colour pencils

So how do they function? The colours seem bright, but somewhat on the pastel side. I like them.

As to the pencil’s core claim – erasure – the marks seemed to hardly erase at all with the attached erasers! This was quite disappointing, given that erasability is supposed to be the set’s main feature. Yet I’ll admit to not being surprised – this seems like an almost impossible feature to offer in a low cost children’s product.

Faber-Castell erasable colour pencils

With a Tombow Mono block eraser, results were much better, though some colours erase better than others.

I also compared them to colour pencils that don’t claim erasability – and these are definitely much better. So with a good block eraser (not the attached eraser), and reasonable expectations (much, but not complete erasure), they may be a fun item to try.

And a bonus – inexplicably, the “black” pencil isn’t a black colour pencil, but rather a graphite pencil.

My thanks to Gunther from Lexikaliker for sending me these pencils.

Colleen double ended pencils

Colleen double ended pencils

Colleen, a company we’ve mentioned before, makes double ended colour pencils – in round, hexagonal, and triangular shapes!

I simply cannot think of another manufacturer offering a specialty pencil in such a variety of formats.

Here is the “Mandarin Orange and Emerald Green” pencil in all three shapes:

Colleen double ended pencils

Colleen double ended pencils

Colleen double ended pencils

Offerings like these bode well for Colleen.

See also: Double ended colour pencils

Faber-Castell Presto 1210 pencil

Faber-Castell Presto 1210 pencil

Faber-Castell’s Brazilian operation makes 1.8 billion pencils a year! It is a true wonder that more don’t wash up overseas. Well perhaps they do – but their origins aren’t mentioned.

So here is an exception – the Presto 1210 is clearly stamped “Ind. Brasil” and sold in a package marked “Origen: Brasil”. The samples I have were purchased in Argentina, and I would like to thank blog reader dasmarians for kindly sending them to me.

Faber-Castell Presto 1210 pencil

The pencil is factory sharpened, blue finish with ferrule and eraser (pink or white). It has stamped imprints, silver imprints, and white imprints.

The obverse reads:

2847 Ind. Brasil Eco {logo} Faber-Castell 2=HB

The reverse:

Madeira Reflorestada/Madera Reforestada 1210 Presto 7 891360 548294 {bar code}

Of the many “pencils of the world” I’ve tried, many have interesting stories, names and finishes, but few are truly great writers. I will state that the Presto 1210 is an exception.

Faber-Castell Presto 1210 pencil

The lead is admirably rich, dark, and smooth. From the appearance of the pencil and the packaging, this is just an ordinary school or office pencil. I was comparing it with the 2B Grip 2001 (many of which are also made by Faber-Castell in Brazil), and it seems subjectively superior.

The “Eco” name, and statements of FSC certification, are attestations to the forestry management processes behind the wood – probably a practical requirement for pencils made in rainforest areas. I’m curious about what species of wood might be in the pencil. A pine variety?

Faber-Castell Presto 1210 pencil

I wish I could find other pencils from Faber-Castell Brazil – they’ve done a great job with the Presto.

Mitsubishi Dermatograph 7600 paper wrapped pencil

Mitsubishi Dermatograph 7600 paper wrapped pencil

A previous post took a look at paper wrapped pencils, specifically the ones known as grease markers or china markers.

Mitsubishi Dermatograph 7600 paper wrapped pencil

Did you know (and are you surprised?) that the Mitsubishi Pencil Company of Japan makes a grease pencil – and in a dozen, vibrant colours.

Mitsubishi Dermatograph 7600 paper wrapped pencil

The “Dermatograph” No. 7600, marked “For Glass, Metal, Plastics”, seems to be an upscale version of the grease pencil – nice colours and finish, no extruding staple, and a finished cap!

Mitsubishi Dermatograph 7600 paper wrapped pencil

The possibilities beckon.

Mitsubishi Dermatograph 7600 paper wrapped pencil

My father’s pencil, by Finn

Today, we have a special guest contribution from Finn of Copenhagen, Denmark:

This Criterium 2613 has a special story.

My late father worked as a maker of fine fur coats in a known fur house in Copenhagen as his day time job, and was a dedicated artist in his spare time.

Back then you could not buy the Criterium in any shop in Denmark, but a salesman from a pencil manufacturer visited major companies and tried to get business. The fur house did not place an order, but my father had spotted the Criterium 2613 and negotiated with the salesman to let him buy the salesman’s sample. He wanted it for private drawing use, but the Criterium 2613 was part of a presentation box the salesman used when he was visiting possible customers. It all ended up with my father getting the pencil and the salesman writing back to France to get a new one for the sample box.

So this Criterium 2613 was originally part of a presentation kit, carried by a salesman in the mid sixties.

My father kept it for the rest of his life and used it a lot untill his death about five years ago.

I am using this Criterium 2613 a lot together with my other mechanical pencils, and if I am out of the house with only one pencil and a sketch book, this is the one.

Thanks, Finn!

Text and photos by Finn.

Colleen Hi pierce pencil review

Colleen Hi pierce pencils

The Colleen Pencil Company probably isn’t well known as a major manufacturer by most readers of this blog. Ditto here. The company first came to my awareness via photos in the Pencils book from Marco Ferreri. Colleen’s Woods Pencils displayed a fantastic appreciation of the pencil, transforming a two century old manufacturing process with artistic interpretation.

That post elicited many reactions, including email from a pencil industry executive in Europe, who speculated about investigating alternate wood species for a new offering. I suggested a set of ten, based on the official trees of Canada’s ten provinces, to be offered for sale here in Canada. At least I can wish. There are no doubt many other possibilities. As one might guess, such an offering would not be easy to create or inexpensive.

Colleen Hi pierce pencils

We’re already conflating two different companies. The original Colleen went bankrupt. But they left a legacy. Pencil and stationery aficionados are abundant in Japan. From the 11-story stationery store Ito-Ya to the television show that crowns a Stationery King, to the renowned super-specialty pencil store Gojuon, to innumerable websites and blogs mentioning pencils, including kero556’s Colleen-focused ?????????????, pencils have an audience. And these sources say – Colleen was a major company and innovator in the industry. I will take their word.

Colleen Hi pierce pencils

Ten years ago, the brand was refounded with participation by a former manager, but relocated in Thailand. Initially focused on colour pencils, they re-established themselves in Japan in 2008, with a spectacular offering. Via an unprecented set of colour pencils made in exotic teak, Colleen announced their return.

While issuing an everyday set of woodcase pencils in the interim, Colleen has just released a major new line, the Hi pierce, which was the predecessor Colleen’s flagship line.

Packaging

Colleen Hi pierce pencils

The Hi pierce has a range of packaging options – single pencils, cellophane packages of three, standard cardboard boxes of twelve, corrugated cardboard sets of the whole grade range, and two different teak boxes. A larger box with removable lid that can hold two dozen pencils (though shipping with one dozen), and a smaller box with the Colleen logo and a sliding lid. The teak boxes come with a dozen pencils – the range of eleven grades, plus an extra HB pencil.

Colleen Hi pierce pencils

Exterior

I knew some of the pencil’s lore, yet few of the details. I thought the Hi pierce might be a rival to the great Tombow Mono 100 or Mitsubishi Hi-Uni. But the finish and lacquer are not in the same league. The light paint finish and indistinct lettering suggest something more middling.

Colleen Hi pierce pencils

The pencil is marked:

Super Quality Colleen Hi pierce

Side 5 is marked: Hi-D Lead

The markings are very similar to the originals, except for the absence of the JIS mark.

The pencils also have a band whose colour indicates the pencil grade:

5B: light pink
4B: pink
3B: red orange
B: orange mousse
HB: salmon
2B: brown
F: very light turquoise
H: grey blue
2H: powder blue
3H: turquoise blue
4H: green

The modern colours do not correspond to the originals as far as I can determine.

Colleen Hi pierce pencils

Writing

Colleen Hi pierce pencils

The leads – I sharpened the whole range of eleven – are of good quality. The 4B and 5B are as smooth as one might hope. The opposite end – the firm 2H to 4H grades, are also smooth relative to their hardness. Comparing the HB to the Tombow Mono 100 and Mitsubishi Hi-Uni – turned out to be like an earnest recreational rink hockey team facing off against the Montreal Canadiens or Moscow Dynamo – the effort was noble, but they were simply outclassed by professionals.

Here is the range of leads on Holbein paper:

Colleen Hi pierce pencils

Erasure

Perhaps not unexpectedly, the 4B and 5B are a challenge to erase – but with a Pilot Foam, the other lines erase cleanly.

New vs. Old

Colleen Hi pierce pencils

So this is a relaunch of an old brand. How does the new Hi pierce compare with the clasic? Thanks to isu, I am able to test, in F grade, the new and old Colleens. It may be the age, but the new version appears to be nicer and more pleasant in appearance.

Colleen Hi pierce pencils

On paper, the story changes. Myself and others agree – the classic version seems smoother and easier to handle.

Overall

As with this year’s possible re-introduction of the Blackwing, reviving an old favourite has risks. There will be differences, and some consumers will not be satisfied. That said, Colleen may not have duplicated the original Hi pierce, but they are to be congratulated on reviving interest in a classic brand.

Colleen Hi pierce pencils

The packaging is fantastic. The teak wood pencil boxes add a strong appeal to the range, and should be reusable for years.

The pencils themselves are merely good, as opposed to the great offerings that Japan’s top manufacturers have spoiled us with. Still, we appreciate them, and look forward to more from Colleen.

Colleen Hi pierce pencils

My sincere thanks to isu of the uncomfortable chair for kindly sending me one of the teak boxes shown, as well as some original Colleen Hi-Pierce pencils used for comparison.