Pencil of the Month Club, Vol. I, No.1 (Nov. 2007)

Let me say that the first POTM package I received was BRILLIANT. I LOVED it.

Times haven't been much fun lately, but those pencils pasted a grin on my mug you could not have jackhammered off.

It's pure personal opinion, but I immediately had several favorites: the O'Bon recycled newspaper pencils are perhaps the first of the first, because I do so enjoy the smoothness and darkness of the line that lead lays down. Then, of course, there's the black Ticonderoga, an old favorite in a genius color. I know; some may feel the yellow is sacred, and that's perfectly cool. But I REALLY like the black one. The semi-matte finish just feels different—and better, I think—in the hand than the traditional gloss yellow. And the Venus Velvet, with the dark-blue ferrule band? Swoon.

Not that I didn't like the others! But those I've mentioned are just too cool.

I might have mentioned before—or not, can't recall—that I write almost all of my first drafts longhand, in pencil, before typing them out on the computer. That's almost entirely why I love pencils that feel so right in your hand, and whose leads have that elusive combination of a particularly ebony line, long-lasting points after sharpening, plus the strikingly sublime smoothness in scribbling (Ah! Cheap alliteration!) that comes not solely from softness of lead, but also apparently from the addition of wax to the graphite formula.

I live for this sort of thing these days. But, then, some people might tell me I need to get out more.

Anyway—I just wanted to express my large and grateful "Thanks!" for the first delivery from the POTM. You can't imagine how eagerly I await the next one.

Charles E., Beverly Hills, CA

Email correspondence. Lightly edited and used with permission.

Comments

[slywy]

I, too, love the POTM and look forward to it every month. Everyone loves a surprise (well, good ones!). I will have to look up more about the Venus because it sounds vaguely familiar from my childhood. Venus Velvet -- a pretty racy name for a writing tool! :)

[David F]

Just to let you know my POTM package has arrived safely here in the UK. I've lost the pencil sharpener to one daughter and the Caran d'Ache to the other. The recycled pencils are becoming a Christmas gift and I'm keeping the others.

I was like a kid at Christmas myself when the package arrived. Can't wait for the next one(s) if they're all as good as the first.

Many thanks!

Best Wishes
David

[Dan Knoll]

I received the POM package the other day. I never knew that I could get excited about anything so humble as a pencil. My personal favorites were the Swiss made pencil and the KUM sharpener. Some where between here and there I guess I have developed an affinity for the pencil. I am now more curious than ever. I am thankful for your company and your efforts to lift the pencil to it deserved status.

Best regards, & God Bless you

DK