Different Strokes for Different Folks

Everyone who went to architecture school is familiar with leadholders, and almost everyone had one of the Caran D'Ache fixpencils (above) at one time or another. It is just a sexy pencil. Understated and simple, the Caran D'Ache fixpencil is a classic sketching pencil. Unfortunately, because of its hexagonal shape, it does not work as well for final drawings as it doesn't roll/twirl very well. The red-capped black fixpencil 77 I've had since college will always have a reserved spot in my bag.

Caran D'Ache took the classic hexagonal fixpencil and fancied it up a bit into the Ecridor XS series (below). The Ecridor XS shown has a ruby laid into the clip and an 'ammonite' pattern engraved silver body.

I appreciate that a few of the Caran D'Ache designs can be both very austere and utilitarian and others of the same design can be flamboyant and extravagant, while still preserving the same ease of use and function.