Fine Writing - Stylus Magazine

and aficionados
Historically, caran d’Ache has
a litany of collections: ecridor,
madison, Hexagonal, Geneve,
Leman, carbon Fiber and varius.
every writing instrument aficionado
can readily find a style, size and color
to suit his or her taste.
collections at caran d’Ache
include four writing instrument
modes to fully cover any need of a
writer: fountain pens with a wide
selection of nib sizes offered; rollerballs
that also accept an international-size
refill that can alternate with
either a fine or broad writing softtip;
and unbelievably accurate droplead
pencils and their always precise
ballpoint pens. At caran d’Ache it
is not enough to make the instrument;
it must also make refills to
insure performance, durability and,
of course, robust colors. examine the
process by which it makes and tests its
Goliath giant ballpoint refills and one
easily learns this is a very serious matter.
every Goliath ballpoint refill is
made of nickel-silver alloy. the sealing
plug on one end of the cartridge
is pervious to air to ascertain a steady
ink flow. Likewise, a silicone plug
prevents any ink back-flow. Insure
consistent flow and long write-out,
the refills are as precise as the pen in
manufacture and durability.
For the eye and the hand, caran
d’Ache offers rich lacquers, gold-plated,
silver-plated or rhodium-coated
trims to complement their designs.
Hold the Hexagonal collection
and you will see masterful lacquer
work or the option of inlaid carbon
fiber. newest in the Hex design
is “cubes,” in silver with rhodium-
coated protection. their Hexagonal
design is both flawless in conical
tapering and perfect in balance. visit
the ecridor collection and you see
timeless styling and a choice of retro,
chevron, Grain d’orge, Florentin,
Arlequin, maya or Ligne pattern
designs. And this series also offers
demi-length pens of full diameter
and clip. care to wear one around
your neck? caran d’Ache offers a
chain model as well.
Durability is a wonderful thing.
Sixteen years ago, I received a black
lacquer, four-piece Hexagonal Set. I
use them regularly; they perform religiously
and the “china-Laq” looks
pretty good considering I knock them
all over the place. Whoops! And while
I’m at it, since I write with ballpoints
with a rather heavy hand, I
really enjoy a broad blue refill that
can put down a really fat line. caran
d’Ache does justice to the term broad.
nothing skimpy or medium-esque in
feel or lay-down here. caran d’Ache
makes a fat writing, true broad refill
that flows effortlessly. both blue and
black colors are deep and bold.
Above: ecrido in production
Below: carbon fiber collection
s t y lu s october/november 2003 43