Regarding the factory sharpening, I wrote “My only complaint is that the factory sharpening shows an unpleasant rough scraping of the wood. Although that’s very common with modern pencils, the original ribbed, silver-capped Graf von Faber-Castell pencils don’t have this problem, and these newer pencils in the same line shouldn’t either.”

I stand by this – I am not talking about the graphite being pointed (and in fact I would prefer to buy unsharpened pencils), but rather the scraped appearance of the wood. The original pencils don’t have this flaw. It is a minor detail, I can live with it, and only mentioned in the context of the pencil’s extremely high standards.

They are as beautiful as any handcarved wooden implement could be. (I think they are made by machines, however). They are a bit thicker than a “normal” hex or round #2. The lead is good, not great. It’s a bit hard — 2B feels like F to me. The wood, however is the best I’ve ever seen on a pencil. It looks and smells like some exotic cedar. The person who suggested the sharpening wasn’t as precision as formally seen might have received an unusual set because mine are impeccably sharpened to the point that only a very special machine or device could have pointed them so well.

The paint and the crest and the intricate “scroll work” carving is top-notch. Truly a work of art. Flawless. The box itself is cardboard, but very attractive (modern, chic.)

I’ve begun using them for everyday use because I just as well get down to my last one, enjoying their fine style and getting fantastical compliments on them (I am a designer by craft) at that point I’ll evaluate whether it makes any sense to indulge on such a folly again.

I am a Tombow wood pencil and Koh-I-Noor 800 Series lead-holder person, usually.

Best.

— font9a

We hope to see more great Faber-Castell pencils in the years ahead.

Adair, I appreciate the many comments you’ve made at this blog, and if you’d like, I’d be happy to send you a pair of these (and some other) pencils. Just send me an email.