Month: November 2008

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Rotring woodcase pencil

Rotring woodcase pencil

Here is a curiosity: a woodcase pencil marked Germany rOtring HB=2.

Rotring the brand lives on as part of the Sanford empire, and seems to have regional product lines – one in Europe, one in Japan. And perhaps others?

The wood seems extremely pinkish, beyond cedar – a chemical wood treatment? The lead is also very scratchy and cheap. The printing and finishing also appear budget level. So if Rotring, with a great reputation, made woodcase pencils, this isn’t what one would expect.

Rotring woodcase pencil

I have two guesses: the pencil is from some corner of the Sanford empire, and unfortunately made to low standards. Or – it is some sort of “knock-off”, where a well known brand name is stamped on a cheap product not actually from the identified manufacturer.

Any ideas or actual knowledge about this 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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FILA 795 BE Red and Blue Pencil

FILA 795 BE Red and Blue Pencil

The FILA 795 BE is contained in a box whose artwork has a simple yet powerful portrait.

FILA 795 BE Red and Blue Pencil

The details are striking – the red factory windows, the carefully rendered plumes of smoke, the uber-smokestack that is a red and blue pencil, and FILA’s name in red and blue.

FILA 795 BE Red and Blue Pencil

Bravissimo!

FILA 795 BE Red and Blue Pencil

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Presidential pencils

Presidential pencilsClick for larger image

This is a pencil set from the past – a promotional set featuring American presidents. As I understand it, a set like this was sent as a bonus to those who returned coupons and promotional offers contained in 1960s products such as Clorox Bleach.

Presidential pencils

The set also contains a booklet, “The Book of Presidents”. It mentions many facts and dates!

Below are ten pencils from one of the last American pencil makers – Musgrave – the pencils feature Constitution Day, state capitals, and past presidents.

Presidential pencils

If you would like the Musgrave set, just answer (as a comment below) one of these questions from the pencil talk research department:

1. Name the movie about an American President that includes a woman knocking over a cup of pencils.

2. Which US President was said to have drafted his battle plans in pencil when he was a General in the Civil War?

3. Several US Presidents were known to be doodlers. Among them, which one briefly considered a career as a cartoonist?

There is only one set, so the first correct answer wins. The winner will have to provide a postal address (via email). Shipment will be via Canada Post. Thanks to the Musgrave Pencil Co. for providing these pencils.

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