Posts filed under Caran d'Ache

Caran d'Ache 849 COLORMAT-X 0.7mm Mechanical Pencil Review

The Washington D.C. pen show was an exercise in sensory overload, so it is time to get back to the basics this week and tackle one of my favorite product categories: mechanical pencils.

“Basic” is a term rarely used when referring to Caran d’Ache products. Classic is probably a better term, and they do classic as well as anybody, as seen with this Caran d’Ache 849 Mechanical Pencil.

Given my love for the 849 Ballpoint and Fixpencil, both of which share a similar 849 barrel design as the mechanical pencil, I’m surprised it took me so long to try one out. My first impression when unboxing it? “Oh, yeah.”

*Top to bottom: 849 Ballpoint, 849 Mechanical Pencil, Fixpencil.*

That’s the sound of being familiar with a product lineup and brand, despite never using this exact model. The aluminum barrel of the 849 Mechanical Pencil is lightweight, sturdy, and comfortable. This model features a Blue COLORMAT-X anodized finish, giving the pencil a subtle sparkle and satin/matte feel. If the Pentel Sharp P Series mechanical pencil shipped with a metal barrel, it would look and feel a lot like this.

Staying with the Sharp comparison, the primary aesthetic difference between the two is the lack of a screw-on nose cone. The 849 barrel is one piece through the front taper, with only the tip of the mechanism appearing through the opening. It is not retractable into the barrel, unlike its ballpoint brethren.

The stock Caran d’Ache 0.7 mm lead is soft and dark. While I enjoyed writing with it, if this was primarily a writing pencil, I would look into swapping the lead out for something harder. But for artwork, drawing, and sketching, this lead is ideal. 0.7 mm width is your only choice, though.

While the lead is an easy swap, the price isn’t. This pencil is expensive for what it is, but that is the C’dA way. At around $23 it isn’t outrageous, and the similar 844 model is only a few dollars cheaper, so you are paying that Swiss premium for sure. Some of their products are easily worth that premium for me, and others have more competition.

I think the 849 mechanical pencil falls into that latter category, where I find the various 849 ballpoint and Fixpencil styles more “worth it.” I’m glad to have this pencil in the arsenal to play around with and compare to other products, but I’m not looking to add another one at this point.

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

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Posted on August 14, 2023 by Brad Dowdy and filed under Caran d'Ache, Mechanical Pencil, Pencil Reviews.

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!

Snatch movie - periwinkle blue reference

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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Posted on November 10, 2021 by Jeff Abbott and filed under Caran d'Ache, Fixpencil.

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.

Caran d’Ache 849 Rollerball Pen Comparison

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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