pencil talk | pencil reviews and discussion
exploring the art and science of pencils since 2005
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:
Offerings like these bode well for Colleen.
See also: Double ended colour pencils
Blog reader Donnie kindly alerted me to an important auction.
The background story is here at the Blackwing Diaries.
The auction is here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250570325938 and ends February 7th.
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.
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.
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?
I wish I could find other pencils from Faber-Castell Brazil – they’ve done a great job with the Presto.
Please take a look at pencils and music, a new blog focused on great writing implements and paper for music composition.
It will not disappoint those who like Graf von Faber-Castell’s fine creations, and the first few posts show some of the rare and long retired early pencil versions.