Why I’ve Broken Up with Karst Woodless Pencils

Let’s talk about love… or in my case, the heartbreak of trying to use Karst Woodless Pencils and ending up with more broken stubs than smooth strokes. I was lured in by their sleek look, heavy weight and the promise of buttery shading, but spoiler alert: these pencils are more fragile than my wrist in a creek.

Honestly, using them feels a bit like playing with fate - if/when they roll off your table, because they are in a cylinder shape, you'll end up with two pencils. It's not exactly the artistic flow I was hoping for. Now usually I would say 'more is better' - but not in this case, because then half of my materials have no type indicator (am I working with B2 or B9??)!

It hit me pretty quick (after my third broken pencil) why graphite is in wood to begin with. . . because it's fragile. 

Bottom line? If you’re looking for a trusty sidekick in your artistic adventures, these are definitely not it. Save yourself the heartbreak and pick a more durable companion—your eraser (and your sanity) will thank you.

Anyone else had a similar experience, or am I just cursed by these fragile little tormentors?