My ten favourite pieces of product design #1: Caran D’Ache Fixpencil

Posted on December 23 2007 | 2 Comments

Switzerland, 1929
Carlo Schmid

2mm Fixpencil (via Cultpens.com)

Why is this a classic?

A simple 2mm clutch pencil first produced in 1929 and altered very little since. Solidly made from aluminium, with a clever repointer built into the end cap. Here’s an image of a very early version for comparison:Early fixpencil (via Leadholder.com)

Good for

Writing and sketching

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2 responses to “My ten favourite pieces of product design #1: Caran D’Ache Fixpencil”

  1. Manuel's avatar Manuel | April 26 2008 at 10:16 pm | Reply

    Hi, this clutch pencil is really a classic of product design. I would like to buy the latest incarnation of this masterpiece. In fact Caran d’Ache sell two similar 2mm leadholders: Fixpencil 22 (13,7 cm long) and Fixpencil 77 (16 cm long). What product is more true to the original 1929 pencil?
    What lead grade (HB, B, 2B, etc.) do you use for writing and graphic design?

  2. Unknown's avatar John Fitzgerald | April 27 2008 at 10:00 am | Reply

    Hi Manuel,

    I’m afraid I’m not sure which is more ‘original’. You could try looking on http://www.leadholder.com, an online museum of leadholders.

    If I can, I try to use B for sketching, and F for writing (its between HB and H) I use the harder grade for writing so I don’t have to sharpen as often!

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