Caran d'Ache Alfred Häberli 2mm Fixpencil in Ochre and Periwinkle Blue Review

(Jeff Abbott is a regular contributor at The Pen Addict. You can find more from Jeff online at Draft Evolution and Twitter.)

The Caran d'Ache Fixpencil takes advantage of the classic hexagonal body of the 849 ballpoint pen and marries it with a reliable lead holder design that is hard to put down. Even though I don't typically gravitate to this type of pencil, I can't help but admire it when I'm using it. The flexible nature of a lead holder is just satisfying and tends to spark creativity. I know there are "professional" reasons for using this pencil over other types, but I'm not an artist and I don't have any training to speak of when it comes to these specialized writing instruments. But that doesn't mean I can't enjoy and appreciate a really well-made pencil!

I've used a Fixpencil in the past, but it was a 3mm version. This special limited edition Fixpencil uses 2mm lead, and I think I enjoy using that size much more. The Caran d'Ache Alfred Häberli Fixpencil in Ochre and Periwinkle Blue is a stunning version of this iconic pencil. There are a few notable differences outside of the colorway, so let's start there.

Like the other Fixpencils, this one is also made of a lightweight aluminum and has a great feel in the hand. Something I really like about this special edition is the extra machining at the grip section that gives it more texture and grip when writing. The texture is only on the corners, but it's just enough to be soft and grippy for your fingers. The other major different with this version is the push cap — it's made of aluminum as well, as opposed to plastic on the normal version. The periwinkle blue is fantastic!

Branding is minimal with this pencil, just like all Caran d'Ache offerings. There's a small "Swiss Made" logo on the body between the clip and the push button, and there's also a Caran d'Ache logo with a product identifier (Fixpencil 2mm) on the body underneath the clip arm. You really don't need much branding when the shape and design of the body is enough to clue you in on who made the product.

As far as the limited edition aspect of this pencil goes, I hadn't heard of Alfredo Häberli before, and I've only been able to determine that this is a branding collaboration more than anything. This is a unique offering and colorway of a product that Alfredo must enjoy using at some level. Either way, it's a great color combo and I'm glad it exists.

The lead included with the pencil is a fantastic B graphite with a smooth writing feel and goes on the page in dark, luscious strokes. The bonus in this package is the four additional lead colors. These water-soluble leads are ochre (mustard-yellow), cobalt, emerald, and periwinkle and each feel a little different. The ochre lead is a bit sticky on the page like there's extra wax or something. It's not enough to cause any issues when using it, but it does take a couple seconds to get used to. All four colors lay down marks that are extremely satisfying, soft, and bold. They feel like B softness or maybe 2B — either way, they work great.

When the lead points get a little too soft, there's a graphite sharpener built into the push button on top of the pencil. Just remember you pull this button straight off the pencil — don't unscrew it as this just removes the entire internal mechanism. While the built in sharpener is effective, it's messy. It will work in a pinch, but just like those tiny little erasers on mechanical pencils, it's not meant to be your main option. Carry a sharpener that's easier to use and that collects the shavings and only use this built-in option if it's your only option.

All things considered, this is a fantastic pencil, but I'm struggling with the price. At $65, it's tough to recommend over the normal Fixpencil models (which are normally between $20 and $25). The extra lead samples, premium grip section machining, and aluminum push button aren't enough in my mind to justify the extra cost. So, unless you're a huge Alfredo Häberli fan or just really love the color combo, I'd suggest sticking with the normal Fixpencil line.

(Creative Art Materials provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Caran d’Ache 849 Rollerball Pen Review

As a Caran d’Ache 849 fan, I’ll admit I was concerned when I saw the first images of the new 849 Rollerball. Residing squarely on the CHONKY side of the size ledger, would this break the magic spell the traditional-sized 849 Ballpoint had on me?

Yes, but that’s a good thing.

The 849 Rollerball is not your Grandmother’s Ecridor. It is not my 849 Ballpoint, or my beloved Fixpencil. What it is is an answer to all of those who previously wished for an 849, but bigger. The Cd’A Rollerball is the pen for you.

This is a legitimately big pen. The marketing says the Rollerball is 28% bigger than the Ballpoint, and that seems about right. My unscientific measurements had the diameter of the Rollerball in the grip area (flat side to flat side) at 10.62 mm, with the Ballpoint checking in at 8.13 mm. In comparison, a standard Retro 51 is at 10 mm in the middle of the grip area, with a taper - wider and narrower - in both directions.

28% may not seem that big of a difference on paper, but in a pen build that is a huge difference. The way these two pens are designed, it looks like the Ballpoint could fit completely inside the Rollerball, like it ate it for lunch.

The question you have to answer is: Is this a bad thing? After having it in hand and using it for a few days, I have to say no. I kind of like the size of it for something different. Somehow, it works, even though I was admittedly unsure about it at first.

Caran d’Ache mitigated the size of the pen with the proper refill choice. The black 0.7 mm Parker-style rollerball refill glides across the page, leaving a smooth, dark line in its wake. I’m a believer that the wider the pen barrel, the wider the refill (or nib, for fountain pens) needs to be. By default, your fingers and grip are wider, which generally leads to wider writing motions, and less precision. The 849 Rollerball and rollerball ink refill are a good match.

It feels good to use, too. The hexagonal barrel works well for me and my traditional grip. Those with a non-standard grip may need to think about how the ridges hit their fingers and if it would be comfortable. I think that is even more of a consideration with this wider barrel compared to the smaller 849’s.

Aesthetically, it is a stunner. Yes, a pen this simple, with classic Caran d’Ache design cues, is right in my sweet spot. At launch, Cd’A went with basic barrel colors - White, Black, Red, Blue, Grey - which is their norm. Once the larger Rollerball proves itself, they will begin to mix in colors and patterns - hopefully. I have no reason to think it won’t make a mark in their product lineup.

The only kicker I find is the price. For what Caran d’Ache is, and what they bring to the table, $46 seems about right. With a huge swath of 849 ballpoints available for $20 or less, I would have love to seen this model launch in the $36-$39 range for the basic colors, then mix in more premium designs and colors around $50, but Cd’A gonna Cd’A. It is priced fairly, sitting right in the premium Retro 51 rollerball range.

Caran d’Ache makes high quality, wonderfully designed, premium stationery products. Why I expected something different this time around I have no idea, but I’m glad the 849 Rollerball hits all the right marks and is as enjoyable to look at as it is to use.

(Goldspot provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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My Favorite Pencils for Left-Handed Writing

I wasn’t sure there would be any benefit to my newfound left-handed reliance. That’s a close-minded way of thinking, and I gave myself a good shake last week to not let this temporary setback affect my curiosity. Why not embrace the situation, and figure out what makes me smile?

As it turns out, it was a group of stationery that normally doesn’t work for my right-handedness. That group? Softer and darker wooden pencils, such as those found on the B side of the graphite grading scale.

Normally, anything 2B or softer finds its way to the back of my stash. I prefer writing with firm, fine, long-lasting cores, and don’t mind the lighter marks they leave. But that was my right-handed style. Assuming that same style would work when the script was flipped was a mistake.

I’m not sure what made me pick up the Blackwing MMX (Proper name: Blackwing Matte) to test out, but it was a revelation. A pencil core that has traditionally been my least favorite Blackwing core is now my favorite. What gives?

When writing left—handed I’ve discovered that I hold the pencil with a much lighter grip. There is some force behind it, but nowhere near the vise grip surrounding my right-handed writing instruments.

Also, with the softer core, I get a bit of an angle on the tip when writing. That helps with my letter shapes, which still retain the block print style of my normal writing. Unlike the rigidity of a fountain pen stub or cursive italic nib, this edge remains pliable enough to not fight against my strokes, while maintaining character not found with a round-tipped rollerball pen, for example.

The MMX revelation led me to dig into my pencil stash to see what else I have been missing. Here are a few favorites:

Tombow Mono KM-KKS 4B: I’ve raved about this pencil before, but within a drawing/sketching context more than a writing context. It has a smoother, less gritty feel than the MMX, but that’s not to say the MMX is gritty. It’s more that the KM-KKS is viciously smooth. It’s also the best looking pencil of this bunch.

Caran d’Ache Grafwood 2B: I’ve found 4B to be the top of my preferred left-handed writing range, and 2B to be the bottom. Well, except for the next two pencils I’ll mention - for good reasons! The Grafwood has a slightly wider diameter than Blackwings, as well as a slightly wider core. Both of those features have proven beneficial to my left-handed writing.

Musgrave Tennessee Red: I’ve mentioned before that while I found the Tennessee Red to be a beautiful pencil, the core was too soft for me. Well, that softness makes it ideal for me now. Listed as a standard #2/HB core, it is softer and darker than most other HB cores I put it up against.

Ticoneroga Laddie: What is even happening here? I would have never tried the Laddie if a friend didn’t send me one, and I’ll be darned if it isn’t a great pencil. It’s a combination of the three pencils above - the thick core of the KM-KKS, the intermediate barrel diameter of the Grafwood, and the softer/darker than normal #2/HB graphite of the Tennessee Red. That makes it a real joy to write with.

I tested many more pencils than these thinking I might find a few other options, but in the end something about them didn’t work. For example, I thought jumbo pencils with soft cores would be a good choice, but they were too wide. They are a better fit for my casted right hand and pincher grip. Cores softer than 4B failed as well. There were diminishing returns the softer I went, as I couldn’t control the lines as well.

2B to 4B, minus a couple of exceptions, are the pencils I need to be using right now. The Blackwing MMX will continue to dominate my usage, and I look forward to continuing my test for the next several weeks.

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