November 27, 2004

Shavings

Here is a file photograph of my pencil sharpener of choice, the Berol Giant:


Look at the lines on this thing! It's like a stallion! Perhaps the most beautiful amalgam of function and form since the 1966 GTO.

I don't use sharpened pencils anymore, of course. I use mechanical Pentels, as softer graphite and ink tend to stain the hand of a lefty, and even I don't want to pull out a sharpener in a meeting, and grind away. Those people have no reverence for the well-machined cutter, or the firm snap of a properly engineered reservoir.

I don't use pencils, but I would love to pull out my Giant right now and sharpen a box of Mirado No. 2's to exquisite points with the beast.

Let me interject: I don't want to disparage the venerable Boston sharpener. It is a fine workhorse of a sharpener, but the tin-stamp look just leaves me cold. I need aesthetics in my school tools. And yes, I allow the children to use the Giant. To deny them would be criminal.

And I see nothing occult about spending Saturday night amidst the glorious fragrance of freshly-mutilated cedar. But that's me.

Posted by Velociman at November 27, 2004 7:55 PM
Comments

I've got one in my workshop. I use pencils for woodworking and this sharpener is a work of art. So true...

Posted by: Circa Bellum at November 27, 2004 9:07 PM

Oh, where to begin... I'm glad to know that "us right leaning lefties" aren't a thing of the past. I got a pencil sharpener in the garage, but no pencils. We use chalk to keep score in Darts. They don't ask me if they can use it, they jsut do. It's a right. Emptying it is not, and I am privelaged. Damn.

Posted by: RedNeck at November 27, 2004 9:36 PM

That would be the Mirado Black Warrior #2, no?

Posted by: torchpraise at November 27, 2004 9:59 PM

Sorry, have to disagree on the 66 goat, my 65 was way cooler.

Posted by: mudmarine at November 27, 2004 11:37 PM

Jeez. Ok, I give.

What profound symbolism hideth behind the story of the Berol?

Is the sharpener an educator of wit, a sexual metaphor for a man eater, what??

Posted by: Key at November 28, 2004 12:48 AM

Key, it's probably both...consider the source.

Posted by: david at November 28, 2004 1:44 AM

Ah, the Mirado No. 2... The best pencil I ever used. Makes me mist up just thinking of them. And my lovely Schafer fountain pen. Scoff if you will at the humble Schafer, but I love it's feel on the paper. Damn, I miss that pen.

Posted by: Mamamontezz at November 28, 2004 4:23 AM

I'm downtown with a "68 Z-28...Sorry

Posted by: Sam at November 28, 2004 12:54 PM

What the holy hell is a No. 2 pencil? Is that what they used "back in the day" when everyone had to walk to and fro, always up the hill and never down. Hmm...must have blocked that out along with the bra snapping episodes.

Posted by: Sadie at November 28, 2004 1:20 PM

.... "And yes, I allow the children to use the Giant. To deny them would be criminal."...

... man, you are such a perv....

Posted by: Eric at November 28, 2004 6:15 PM

Does this fascination have anything to do with your being nicknamed "pencil-dick"?

Posted by: jack straw at November 28, 2004 7:10 PM

Wow! Jack made it all the way to Level One. When you get to Level Four feel free to comment again.

Posted by: Velociman at November 28, 2004 7:15 PM

You know... none of this really makes any sense unless you're talking about doing it on a Big Chief Tablet.

Posted by: Fightin Tiger at November 29, 2004 3:44 PM

Now the Big Chief Tablet I agree with. That was one fine pad.

Posted by: BeeBee at November 29, 2004 9:07 PM

Big Chief ruled. (Ouch). But I was weaned on Blue Horse.

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