Better than the iPad?

Boston Globe reporter Alex Beam gives an impassioned speech about the revival of what he calls an "analogue data entry device", and what everyone else calls a pencil. Not just any pencil however, the Eberhard Faber Blackwing 602 pencil, which apparently has lead "as soft as butter" and can demand prices up to $40 a pop. Whilst a great many of us in design stay loyal to a particular brand or make of pen (Uni Pin 0.3, if you're interested), I can't help feeling that Alex Beam really should get out more.

Having said that, that classic All-American packaging, and machine-crimped metal eraser holders do add up to a cracking looking pencil, but I'm not sure I'll be putting down the fine liners and writing a $600 dollar cheque any time soon.