Yahoo Finance Touch wood: Caran d'Ache revives the pencil sharpener
For those growing sceptical about the power of nostalgia – revived cars like the Fiat 500, the return of vinyl, the entire hipster shtick – the latest from Caran d’Ache might seem a step too far in terms of retro exploitation. While not as hoary a concept as high-button shoes, nor as useless as VCRs and typewriters (which I hope never, ever make a comeback), maybe pencils still offer enough utility to warrant renewed interest.
At the very least, they’ve inspire a honey of an accessory: of all things, a luxury sharpener, or Machine à Tailler. To be fair to this Swiss house, pencils - their multi-coloured artists’ selection in particular - are a specialty.
When you see one of their pencil sets, even if you are not in touch with your inner Lowry, you will fancy having it just because it a), looks wonderful and b), will probably remind you of your childhood - at least, if you’re old enough not to have endured a stilted education due to tablets and other devices that remove the need to think (but enough ranting).
As one who loves pens but never uses pencils, I must admit that I do not covet this month’s luxury tech item. Even so, I could easily be seduced: it looks so “right” that anyone who is desk-proud would feel privileged to own it. And “privilege” is the correct term because there will only be 4,478 of these in production; each and every one begging to be acquired by someone who still uses a notebook (or maybe even a Filofax), instead of a phone.
The classic “pencil sharpening machine” - reissued in what they call “a dazzling Brut Rosé colour” - is a wholly functional office tool that Caran d’Ache originally launched in 1933, but now in an edition so pretty that it seems to have more in common with a Dualit toaster.
As for the unusual number they’re producing, the production figure recalls the altitude in metres of the Matterhorn. Accounting for the lone concession to looks over purpose – the sexy colour – Caran d’Ache delightedly explains that, “the iridescent pink hue highlights the robustness and finish of this charming vintage object that remains resolutely practical.”
Even the packaging is period in ambience; its metal casing inspired by the appearance of the legacy box is also coloured in Brut Rosé. With a certain ruggedness of its own, it will not be stored with other empties, nor discarded, nor recycled: this container deserves desktop siting, too, perhaps to hold pencils or paper clips or other clerical supplies.
For those to whom its functionality matters as much as its look, the reborn sharpener is designed to refresh pencils with diameters of 4mm to 10mm. This being a Swiss device, its sharpness can be adjusted to suit user requirements.
Price is £175, which – while rather elevated when compared to the little pocket-sized, plastic sharpeners one used in school – isn’t a lot for a limited-edition example of industrial genius.
I suppose I could learn to love pencils all over again – just so I could have an excuse to play with this thing.
Limited-edition Matterhorn sharpening machine, £175; carandache.com
