Category: manufacturers

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Stabilo Trio 362 pencil

Stabilo Trio 362 pencil

The Stabilo Trio 362 is an oversized triangular pencil in a natural finish with a splash of colour on the cap.

The pencil is marked “3-6 Gripping Standard”. The packaging reveals the meaning. Can you guess? That’s right, this pencil is meant for three to six year olds!

Stabilo Trio 362 pencil

The core is an oversized 3.8mm. The line seemed somewhat light, though with more pressure it was able to leave a dark line.

Stabilo Trio 362 pencil

What’s really noticeable is the cap. This type of painted pencil end seems to be a feature associated with European pencils. The term I hear in English is “dipped”. But in German, there is more specific terminology. The white ring is a “Lackring” and the red cap a “Lackkappe”. This site translates Lackkappe to “patent tip” or “patent toe cap”. Maybe patent as in patent leather – shiny – but I think the terms more mean lacquer ring and lacquer cap. Corrections/additions to this understanding are welcome!

Stabilo Trio 362 pencil

The bright red and white cap is a nice contrast to the natural finish pencil. Overall, a nice pencil.

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General’s Cedar Pointe 333 pencil

General's Cedar Pointe 333 pencil

Here is a pencil that I know many pencil talk readers already know and like – the General’s Cedar Pointe 333 pencil.

It is a “natural finish” unlacquered pencil that emphasizes the pencil’s cedar origins in both name and appearance. Note how prominent the woodgrain appears. And for anyone who enjoys the traditional cedar aroma of pencils – the way they used to be – this pencil delights.

General's Cedar Pointe 333 pencil

The HB lead seems strong, and lays down a relatively dark line, though it is not the smoothest. The eraser, in black (from Factis?), is quite effective. The pencil sharpens easily.

I’m not sure if this pencil can be purchased at retail. Has anyone seen it in a real brick and mortar store? Online, it sells for a relatively modest price. You may want to get a few.

General's Cedar Pointe 333 pencil

Overall, quite a nice pencil.

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Mitsubishi 10B pencils: the brush pencil (fude enpitsu) and the Hi-uni

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.

Mitsubishi 10B 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.

Mitsubishi 10B pencils

Mitsubishi 10B pencils

Diameter

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

Mitsubishi 10B pencils

Mitsubishi 10B pencils

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.

Mitsubishi 10B pencils

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.

Mitsubishi 10B pencils

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!

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General’s 206H Jumbo Clutch Holder & Layout Stick

General's 206H Jumbo Clutch Holder & Layout Stick

We’ve seen that mechanical pencils and leadholders can use graphite in a wide range of diameters. Here is one of the extremes, the “Jumbo Clutch Holder & Layout Stick” from the General Pencil Company in the U.S.

General's 206H Jumbo Clutch Holder & Layout Stick

The packaging says this graphite stick can be used for “drawing, sketching, creating negative space and for covering large areas.” We’re also informed that the clutch holder will “keep your hands clean.”

General's 206H Jumbo Clutch Holder & Layout Stick

The holder is made in Germany – the only non-U.S. made product bearing the “General’s” brand name that I am aware of. (General distributes the Spanish Factis brand, but the products are not rebranded.) Lyra is also in the large clutch pencil market – perhaps they (or a common supplier) is the source.

Using a new pencil can be messy. The leadholder as it arrived was covered in graphite dust that doesn’t easily rinse away. The graphite stick itself (in a plastic box) has some loose fragments and a lot of surrounding dust. It measures about 13mm in diameter.

General's 206H Jumbo Clutch Holder & Layout Stick

Though plastic, the leadholder seems sturdy, and the five-jawed clutch is easy to manipulate. (Smaller diameter clutch leadholders usually have three jaws.)

General's 206H Jumbo Clutch Holder & Layout Stick

It definitely works at laying drown broad lines, and is a very interesting drawing implement.

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Spielen & Lernen 2008

Spielen & Lernen 2008

I’m not sure how a German language pencil catalogue landed at a “Sears” store in Canada, but so be it. This is Faber-Castell’s catalogue for their children’s line.

Here are a few interesting things I noticed:

* Several varieties/extensions of the “Grip” line – including a compass, and several colour pencil sets.

* A Jumbo Grip variant with colour chalk cores that can be used on a chalkboard!

* A nice kit including a fountain pen, pencil, tub of plasticine, and other fun items.

* New sharpeners and erasers.

* A new “Perfect Pencil” version priced at 2.95 Euros. That’s much better than the existing green plastic version, though the clip appears to have become plastic. (Have any of our readers in Europe seen one yet?)

* A red fabric foldable pencil case/box.

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