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The 13 Most Exquisite Pencils In The World
Slide Nr 1Not all pencils are created equal. As anyone with a penchant for penmanship will tell you, using a high-quality writing instrument really does make a difference, even if only in terms of comfort. Here, we present a selection of the very best – many of which are highly affordable.
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The 13 Most Exquisite Pencils In The World.
Slide Nr 2Eberhard-Faber Blackwing 602 – Probably the most famous pencil ever. Commercialised in the 1930s under the motto “half the pressure, twice the speed” and praised by writers like John Steinbeck, this legendary pencil was sadly discontinued in 1998; the only chance to find an original Blackwing 602 is by checking private sales. If you really want to try it, though, a highly praised replica is currently produced by pencil company Palomino – including a recent vinyl-inspired special edition.
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The 13 Most Exquisite Pencils In The World.
Slide Nr 4introduced 25 years ago, this pencil and its protective cap come in different colours and finishes, and offer a lot of surprises: First, the cap doubles as a pencil extender. Secondly, it includes a sharpener (what?), and thirdly, the eraser is hidden under the coronet. Add the fact that it’s produced by the oldest pencil company in the world, and it’s going to be difficult not to go for the platinum-plated version.
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The 13 Most Exquisite Pencils In The World.
Slide Nr 5Rainbow Pencils by Duncan Shotton – British designer, artist and inventor Duncan Shotton wisely uses recycled coloured paper to produce these wonderful rainbow pencils. They come with a black or white body, but when you sharpen them, they create vivid “paper rainbows”. A classy way to indulge in the current rainbow-unicorn trend.
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The 13 Most Exquisite Pencils In The World.
Slide Nr 6Yard-O-Led Perfecta Victorian Pencil – It can be quite hard to choose among the exquisite products of Yard-O-Led, a Birmingham-based manufacturer of handcrafted sterling silver writing instruments. While its Viceroy Standard is the iconic choice, this Perfecta Victorian Pencil has the power to bring us back to an era of genteel manners and carefully calligraphed letters. Fans of simpler lines might prefer the Diplomat or the Mayflower editions. Whichever you choose, you can’t go wrong, since each of them comes with a lifetime warranty.
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The 13 Most Exquisite Pencils In The World.
Slide Nr 7Mitsubishi Hi Uni – Nearly everybody who tries it says that this pencil is as smooth as they come, and then some. Established in 1887, Mitsubishi Pencil (of Uni-ball fame) is completely unrelated to the Mitsubishi Group. Available in a whopping 22 hardness grades, all very dark, the Hi Uni is considered one of the very best pencils in the world, and continues to rack up rave reviews. Maybe it’s time to try it for yourself?
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The 13 Most Exquisite Pencils In The World.
Slide Nr 8Montblanc Mechanical Pencil – Even though purists claim mechanical pencils aren’t real pencils, we couldn’t keep this one out of the list. The lesser-known brother of the famed Montblanc Fountain Pen, this pencil doubles as a status symbol. Some swear by its very enjoyable writing, others love its girth, solidity and weight. Either way, owning one feels like gaining access to an exclusive private club.
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The 13 Most Exquisite Pencils In The World.
Slide Nr 9Baron Fig Elements Pencil – The result of a collaboration between US stationery company Baron Fig and pencil guru Caroline Weaver, Elements is “a pencil about pencils.” Featuring a graphic illustration of its component materials (graphite, glue foil, paint, clay, water and wood) on its body, and a cross section illustration on its box, this minimalistic beige-taupe pencil is, according to its producer, lightweight, slipless and a smooth write.
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The 13 Most Exquisite Pencils In The World.
Slide Nr 10Rotring Rapid Pro Mechanical Pencil – Another heavy mechanical pencil, the Rapid Pro features a non-slip metal grip body and hexagonal shape (which prevents it from sliding on tilted tables), as well as a mechanism for cushioning the lead within the pencil – specially engineered for optimal writing comfort. The pencil also features a built-in sharpener and an eraser, and comes available in 0.5, 0.7 or 2.0 mm points. A high-end product for artists and technicians.
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The 13 Most Exquisite Pencils In The World.
Slide Nr 11Koh-I-Noor Hardtmuth 1500 – Allegedly the first yellow pencil ever, the Hardtmuth 1500 is the stuff of legends: It debuted at the celebrated 1889 Paris World Fair, it featured the name Koh-I-Noor for the first time, and “its ends were dipped in gold” according to Caroline Weaver. Offered in 17 hardness grades at the time, it’s available today in a total of 21 – a fact which should come as no surprise, since it was Hardtmuth who created the HB graphite scale: H stands for Hardtmuth, B for České Budějovice (where the company was based) and F for Franz Hardtmuth.
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The 13 Most Exquisite Pencils In The World.
Slide Nr 12Caran d’Ache Exotic Pencils – Are you a fan of limited editions? If so, the Exotic Pencils of Caran d’Ache could be the perfect choice. Each edition (currently there are eight) comprises four pencils made out of different kinds of precious woods from all over the world. In editions six through eight, the pencils are also scented (by Swiss perfumery Mizensir). Due to their exclusivity, it might be a little difficult to find them all. [Photo via pencils.com]
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The 13 Most Exquisite Pencils In The World.
Slide Nr 13CWPE X Moon Products Futura #2 – A 2017 custom-made version of the 1950 Futura #2 by Richard Best Pencil Company, this vintage-inspired beauty has been remade in a pink tone (instead of the original natural wood finish) reminiscent of the original Futura era. While the 1950 version featured a red ferrule (the metal ring which connects the eraser to the pencil), this edition has a sassy pink one. Additionally, the original font has been slanted and reduced in size, tying everything together.
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