Caran d’Ache Swiss Flag pencil

Caran d'Ache Swiss Flag pencil

This pencil looks like it could be a marketing or novelty item. It lacks an imprinted name or model number. The pencil is made and sold by Caran d’Ache under their own name as part of a larger product campaign.

The graphic is striking – a red background, with white crosses. The matching ballpoint pen is sold as the ‘Swiss Flag’ pen in the ‘Essentially Swiss’ series, so I am calling this the Swiss Flag pencil. Let me know if you have a more correct name!

Caran d'Ache Swiss Flag pencil

This associated set is interesting in itself. There are many matching pen and pencil sets – with ‘pencil’ meaning ‘mechanical pencil’ – but I can’t think of another set where one can buy a ballpoint pen and matching woodcase pencil.

The pencil is round, with a silver coloured ferrule and white vinyl eraser.

Caran d'Ache Swiss Flag pencil

One pencil had a lead break while sharpening, but I couldn’t repeat that problem. The top photo shows an imperfect sharpening, with maybe a bit too much wood sharpened away. I would blame the sharpener, except that the sharpener continues to do fine with other pencils – and I tried more than one Swiss Flag pencil, more than once. So, I think the photo reflects my experoence.

The lead isn’t a standout, though not bad.

Overall, I think it is a nice, not too serious, fun pencil.

3 Replies to “Caran d’Ache Swiss Flag pencil”

  1. So, you are implying this pencil is of a lesser quality grade than the other CdA pencils you have reviewed?
    Not disputing your findings at all, but it does seem a strange choice to make a rather iconic looking pencil from lesser grade wood, lead, etc. Your thoughts?

  2. Hi kiwi-d, yes, this pencil does seem to be lower quality than the Technograph or Grafwood in my unscientific assessment.

    I’m not sure how odd the material choices are – the pencil’s decoration does seem to put it in the category of pencils that might be aimed at children, or used to promote a special event.

    The ballpoint is similarly near the bottom of Caran d’Ache’s (steep) lineup.

  3. If that’s the best they can do for wood, it’s a distressing novelty not worthy of serious consideration. I bought a tray full of Office Max No. 2 pencils the other day to see what people who don’t appreciate pencils suffer with. They’re Vietnamese made, very nicely finished, not particularly hard wood and thus having a tendency to shred a little, but very smooth lead and a bargain at $2 US for 36. At some point (like probably next week) the trial I’m preparing for will be over and then you shall have your electric pencil sharpener road test as promised.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *