e+m Workman Long Clutch Pencil review
30 December 2013
e+m is a German company which began in 1899 making nib holders. They were forced to move away from pen products following the ravages of Word War 2. In 1983 the family-owned company once again started making wooden writing instruments and now produce a range of clutch pencils, ballpoints and accessories.
The e+m Workman Long Clutch Pencil is, funnily enough, a long (14cm) clutch pencil. It takes 5.6mm leads which whilst not the most common size are available in a wide variety of grades and types.
The basic function of a clutch pencil, to hold the lead, is performed very well by the Workman, by which I mean, it holds the lead firmly. The nock has a good feel to it: firm but not to stiff as to be difficult to use. The pencil itself has a good weight to it and the longer size suits my big hands. (It’s a available in a not-long version for those with sensibly sized hands.) It feels like a big chunky crayon. With class.
This pencil looks beautiful. It’s made of beech and this one is the natural finish. It can be bought in a black or mahogany stain but it’s beautiful as it is.
The e+m Workman Long Clutch Pencil could be left on a desk simply to draw admiring glances. It’s a beautiful object. But it’s practical too and it’s surprisingly inexpensive.
(This drawing of Corfe Castle was made with this same pencil.)
This was a very quick sketch from a photo. (This pencil is excellent for making very quick sketches.) It’s a section of the Jurassic Coast, which is a World Heritage Site on the English south coast. This was looking towards West Bay in Dorset. It’s an absolutely beautiful part of the world.
I appreciate the review. I use alot of pencils in the wood shop as another past time. I wonder if this one would be a good fit. Certainly looks well made. Thanks again
Hi Bob and thank you. Yes it’s really solidly made and I think would be very much at home in a workshop.
Hi, what is that eraser in the bittom picture?
It’s a Staedtler Rasoplast Black Edition B40. A good eraser.
“It takes 5.6mm leads…” 5.6mm which is quite close to the standard diameter of a pencil (6.0mm) which makes me wonder if this product can be used as a pencil extender like “staedtler 900 25” or “derwent pencil extender”.