Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Parafernalia Revolution Mechanical Pencil

The Magnificent Seven - Part 1

Parafernalia Revolution Mechanical Pencil

By Pencil Paul

We will start this Mini-review series of some of my favorite pencils with an Italian product.

Parafernalia has been making cutting edge writing machines for many years, I have a Black Fountain pen styled by design guru Pininfarina for this company in the 1980's. Back to the item in hand, the pencil is supplied in a simple cardboard box, however inside you find the pencil defying gravity on its very own wooden 'wall of death' display as if in its own little art gallery perhaps. On to the actual pencil, this is a design recalling the age of exposure, think the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Lloyd's building by Richard Rodgers in London, and of course the Dyson Cyclone, never has dust been so exciting! It was a time when designers and architects 'let it all hang out' showing the guts of an object was the was the way to go. In this case the pencil works superbly well. In theory one can unscrew the 3 chrome 'boosters' and completely disassemble the pencil, however I have never felt that brave. Construction and finish are immaculate on this 0.5 push button lead advance pencil, also it is remarkably comfortable in use as I find my 'steering' finger sits right at the base of the tri-section and has a firm grip against the black central lead chamber. No room for an eraser on board this rocket!  The pocket clip with ubiquitous rubber ball end, works after a fashion, though I feel this is a desk item ready for all who glimpse this pencil to be intrigued.

parafernalia revolution mechanical pencil
Parafernalia Revolution Mechanical Pencil







Daves review of Parafernalia Revolution Mechanical Pencil

9 comments:

2nd_astronaut said...

What do you think about the Revolution quality? IIRC Dave was not so overwhelmed by the manufacturing quality...

Nice review, it's good to see this place is awakening again :-)

Vittorio Villani said...

Nice review!
For 2nd_astronaut: please let me know if now you can see the comments on my blog, I tried with different computers and different browser and everything seems to work fine.

Pencil Paul said...

Hi 2nd Astronaut, Well I think we all come here to hear and talk about the items that interest us and we all have our own opinion on ANY pencil we use/review, Myslf I like what this company is doing, They are doing Different stuff i urge you to explore there other items too, Cheers Pencil Paul

CIAO Vittorio! and we hear you load and clear, grazie, Pencil Paul

2nd_astronaut said...

Hi Vittorio, now it works.
---
Pencil Paul, maybe my question sounded too offensive. In fact, I just wanted to hear your opinion on this topic, because people use different scales and item quality can change with time...

Anonymous said...

Hi 2nd astronaut, I regard the quality to be very good, fit and finish are superb for this price point, as are the other Parafernalia items I own, and of course you are buying italian STYLE and superb innovative design, I do agree with Dave about the wood stand, its a bit crude in its execution but then again it is the perfect foil for the sharp and streamlined pencil, sort of a yin and yang! and of course the stand could be left in the box......Cheers

Ovidiu said...

One of the most interesting pencil designs I've seen. Thanks for the review!

Pencil Paul said...

Hi Ovidiu, Thanks for your kind words, stay tuned we have lots more unusual pencils to be reviewed!

Unknown said...

Thanks for this review!

I own the Revolution both mechanical pencil and ball point and I really love them.

In my modest opinion, the quality of these products do not match the otstanding design and price (moving clip, non-accurate refill of leads).

These are minor issues, but for this kind of product I'd expect a perfect construction.

Pencil Paul said...

Hi Unknown, Thanks for your interest and comments.......Have you seen the Parafernalia Falter 2D pen, with that product you produce your own quality!
Cheers