The minimalist Camel CA-P4 pencil is hard to find in the U.S., and it’s one of our all-time favorite designs. The unique, no-ferrule eraser is its signature feature, and it works just as well as you’d hope. The eraser is firmly attached around a narrowed part of the pencil body, and you can use it from any angle without fear of breaking or bending it. Because there’s no ferrule, more of the eraser is accessible, and you can quickly erase larger areas.

But it’s almost unfair to talk so much about the CA-P4’s eraser; the pencil itself is excellent, with craftsmanship and finish that are a credit to Camel’s 80-year history. The graphite core is a true HB, smooth and distinct on paper, but firm enough to stay sharp through long writing sessions. The body is made with beautifully grained cedar and lacquered with a light, transparent coat that protects the wood without hiding its color and texture.

We offer the CA-P4 in a six-piece set: three with a white eraser and three with a grey eraser, in complementary, reddish shades of natural cedar. We can’t decide which one we like better.

Made in Japan.