Portuguese Pencils: Garam Masala

There’s something grounding about writing with a pencil that’s been handcrafted since 1907, and these don’t disappoint—the wood smells faintly sweet and sharpens to a fine point without snapping. I’ve been reaching for them over my pens all week for notes and sketches alike.

I’ve been sketching with these since they arrived and the cedar scent alone makes me smile every time I open the tin. The lead is soft enough for shading but holds a point longer than most, and knowing they’re handcrafted the same way since 1907 adds a nice sense of history to my desk.

These pencils have a lovely, old-world feel that immediately takes me back to writing by hand, and knowing they're handcrafted with over a century of history behind them makes them special. I've been using one for daily notes and the wood sharpens to a perfect point without snapping, which is all I