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.
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.”
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.
Though plastic, the leadholder seems sturdy, and the five-jawed clutch is easy to manipulate. (Smaller diameter clutch leadholders usually have three jaws.)
It definitely works at laying drown broad lines, and is a very interesting drawing implement.
