Tombow LV-KEV pencil

Tombow LV-KEV pencil

The Tombow LV-KEV is an absolute delight of a pencil. Though similar in concept to the red and blue pencils we have seen – this is a mix of HB grade graphite (a.k.a lead) at one end, and red at the other – though not in equal measure. The black lead end is 70% of the pencil, and the red end 30% of the pencil. The “LV” in the pencil name may stand for “Lead Vermillion”.

Tombow LV-KEV pencil

Tombow LV-KEV pencil

The special features don’t end there – the lead core is oversized at about 3mm in diameter (most pencil leads are about 2mm), and 5 edges are painted – with the sixth natural. Additionally, the pencil is manufactured by the finger joint process. This is a very special pencil! (And it needs a better name.)

Tombow LV-KEV pencil

Tombow LV-KEV pencil

Tombow LV-KEV pencil

Mitsubishi 2667 EW red and blue pencil

Mitsubishi 2667 EW red and blue pencil

Yesterday, I mentioned pencils made from wood scraps.

Well, I just found another – the Mitsubishi 2667 EW red and blue pencil.

Mitsubishi 2667 EW red and blue pencil

Mitsubishi’s product page is here, and the page includes a small diagram that appears to mention the construction method.

The pencil has a very nice woodgrain finish. The text is in green, with colour markings in green, and a bar code in black. With text (both English and Japanese), barcode and associated numerals, and graphic markings, the design seems a bit “busy” to me, yet I like it very much, and it is a very unusual pencil.

Mitsubishi 2667 EW red and blue pencil

Mitsubishi 2667 EW red and blue pencil

The photo below shows the pencil on a highly textured (“toothy”) Fabriano sketchpad, but I would say that the markings are even richer and more saturated on ordinary office paper.

Mitsubishi 2667 EW red and blue pencil

It is a very good all-round red and blue pencil. The only possible issue is that the non-traditional colouring doesn’t provide as much of a visual cue about which end is which.

Lyra Super Ferby Duo red and blue pencil – and more

Lyra Super Ferby Duo pencil

Here is the first triangular format red and blue pencil I’ve seen.

Lyra Super Ferby Duo pencil

Oversize, with a 6.25mm diameter lead, this pencil is part of the Lyra Super Ferby Duo lineup of double-ended two colour pencils.

Lyra Super Ferby Duo pencil

Lyra makes a very wide range of products, but like everything else in their “Ferby” brand, these pencils are first rate. Though aimed at young people, the quality of the product gives the Ferbys a much wider appeal.

Lyra Super Ferby Duo pencil

Take a look at the black and white pencil – everyone who has seen it finds this pencil quite unique and compelling.

Lyra Super Ferby Duo pencil

Very nice.

Red and Blue pencils VI – the Kita-Boshi Vermilion and Prussian Blue 9667 pencil

Kita-Boshi Vermilion and Prussian Blue 9667 pencil

We’ve seen red and blue pencils from both the US and Europe – and now thanks to the kindness of fellow pencil aficionado isu from the uncomfortable chair, I am able to present some pencils from the estimable Kita-Boshi in Japan.

Kita-Boshi Vermilion and Prussian Blue 9667 pencil

These aren’t just red and blue pencils – they are vermilion and prussian blue pencils!

Round in shape, the pencils are lettered in gold script. They easily sharpen, and the varnish seems first rate. Unlike some other red and blue pencils, the leads seem absolutely first rate – as strong and smooth as those in quality graphite pencils.

Kita-Boshi Vermilion and Prussian Blue 9667 pencil

The red is more of an orange to my eye, which does meet the definition of “vermilion”, but I would prefer more of a “red” red. The blue has a great rich hue which is beyond reproach.

Kita-Boshi Vermilion and Prussian Blue 9667 pencil

A mighty fine interpretation of a traditional pencil.

Further on red and blue pencils:

From penciltalk.org:
Red and Blue pencils
Red and Blue pencils II
Television! (The Conté Television 649 red and blue pencil)
Red and Blue pencils IV – Viarco

Red and Blue pencils V – a mechanical twist

From stdk.de:
Rot-Blau-Stifte

From rot-blau-stift.de:
Rot-Blau-Stift

From the uncomfortable chair:
?????????

A great red and blue leadholder at the uncomfortable chair

There is a notable new post over at the uncomfortable chair.

A vintage L. & C. Hardtmuth No. 43B leadholder is featured. One end holds a red lead, and the other a blue lead.

Though unusual, there are other examples of this category. Leadholder.com shows a 1948 red and blue Caran d’Ache Fixpencil 33 at the bottom of this page. The book Pencils has a two page spread on double-ended red and blue leadholders. And, Autopoint in the US continues to make double-ended red and blue mechanical pencils, as previously featured.

Still, the 43B appears to be unique in supporting wide diameter leads. (5.8mm is cited.)

Are there any other such mechanical pencils or leadholders out there, whether new or vintage?

Red and Blue pencils V – a mechanical twist

Autopoint Twinpoint red and blue mechanical pencil

The red and blue pencil concept also exists in the mechanical pencil realm. The Autopoint Twinpoint is a mechanical pencil with lead at both ends!

Each end is colour coded red or blue, and dispenses a corresponding lead. Though the product is named the “Twinpoint”, this pencil type seems to be popularly known as a “double ender”.

Autopoint Twinpoint red and blue mechanical pencil

The ownership of Autopoint has changed over the years, but material at Guide to Autopoint and Dur-O-Lite Spiral Pencils indicates that this pencil type was sold by Autopoint as far back as the 1920s!

Autopoint today still sells a very similar lineup to that seen in 1960s catalogues, with no product modernization. They are one of these lines that doesn’t have to imitate “retro” – they are retro! Yet – in some ways their products appear very modern.

If you can find them at retail (I can’t), these pencils should be under $5 – a real bargain for an interesting and unique writing implement with so much history.

It comes in two versions – 0.9mm, and 1.18mm, both traditional lead sizes. Strangely, the blue leads don’t seem to be the same – the 1.18mm version is a lighter, fainter blue, while the 0.9mm version is more of a navy blue.

The red seems to be on the pink side, unlike woodcase red and blue pencils, where the reds are more orange hued.

Autopoint Twinpoint red and blue mechanical pencil

Each pencil comes with two silver-coloured cardboard containers with refill leads. These are also a delightful retro item.

Autopoint Twinpoint red and blue mechanical pencil

As well, if you buy one of these pencils, you probably won’t want to throw away the box, as it contains the refill instructions. Not quite the Yard-O-Led experience, but still complex enough. (Unscrew the plunger? Huh?)

Autopoint Twinpoint red and blue mechanical pencil

Further on red and blue pencils:

From penciltalk.org:
Red and Blue pencils
Red and Blue pencils II
Television! (The Conté Television 649 red and blue pencil)
Red and Blue pencils IV – Viarco

From stdk.de:
Rot-Blau-Stifte