Kobe stationery specialist 590 & Co. has announced a shipment of Italian-made Shorty leadholders, with 14 colors listed at ¥3,080 each. The October 6 arrival covers the TWIN and ONE versions of the compact, German-born pencil.
Today’s producer is Markin, based near Milan. Its account of Shorty’s history says production moved to Italy after Wörther’s Baden-Baden factory closed, retaining and updating the machinery designed by Gerhard Wörther. That is the interesting industrial detail: a familiar pencil continuing in production with its original tooling behind it.
One pencil, two ways to wear its clip
Both versions use a 3.15 mm, 7B graphite lead and a drop-clutch mechanism. Press the button and the lead is free to slide; set the exposed length by hand, then release the button to grip it. It is a different action from the small, measured advance of a conventional fine-lead mechanical pencil.
Product photographs: Shorty / Markin.
TWIN’s Japanese selection runs through white, yellow, red, lime, blue, green, gray and orange. ONE covers aqua, pink, lilac, violet, black and blue. The retailer’s pencil descriptions also include two spare leads.
A broad, soft graphite core
The supplied 7B lead puts Shorty at the soft end of the graphite scale. Its thick core makes the format relevant to sketching and marking as well as handwriting. When buying refills, match the stated 3.15 mm diameter; a familiar-looking leadholder does not necessarily take the same size as another model.
The production story, and where to find it
Markin’s explanation supports the continuation of Shorty production in Italy, but does not date the transfer. The news here is the October 6 Japanese shipment; the manufacturing move should not be treated as something that necessarily happened this week.
For readers in the States, Peter Miller Books also lists the Italian-made Shorty at US$24, with availability varying by color. That is a US retailer’s listing price, separate from 590 & Co.’s Japanese price and any shipping charges.
Sources: 590 & Co.’s October 6 arrival announcement; Japanese range and prices; ONE pencil specifications; Shorty’s manufacturer history and product information.
