“The hand-sharpened pencils sent to me by artisanal pencil sharpener David Rees are without a doubt the MOST EFFICIENT writing instruments in my collection. I use them both for business and for pleasure, as their SLEEK and ELEGANT design coupled with their AMAZING SHARPNESS help make me an object of envy at work and about town. My favorite use for a David Rees hand-sharpened pencil? Sending threatening letters to strangers whose names I pick out of a phone book.”
—MATT TAIBBI
"Dear David,
Your artisanal pencil you sent me for free stabbed me in the neck. I am not happy with it. It is too sharp, too perfectly hand-shaped for violence, too much care and time was put into it to craft the prettiest, most arrogant pencil I've ever met.
It's too smart and self-aggrandizing and honestly, it makes me feel stupid and not like myself.
I felt it sneering at me, laughing at my uneducated, unsophisticated idiocy and I had to stab myself in the ... I mean, and then it stabbed me in the neck.
Unsatisfied customer,
Spike Jonze
"Of all the great artisanal crafts, hat blocking, cobbling, and trolloping, I think I was most disheartened to see pencil sharpening relegated to the dusty bin of history. That is why I am so thrilled David Rees is picking up the reins of the forgotten art of manual graphite-encased-in-wood point-crafting. I love my pencil!"
—AMY SEDARIS
"You may think that sharpening a pencil is easy, but David Rees makes it look hard, and that makes all the difference."
—JOHN HODGMAN
"Looking back, I cannot believe that I spent so many years of my life mechanically sharpening my own pencils with pencil sharpeners. Truly, my life before I was presented with correctly sharpened pencils by an artisan was a dull and ill-sharpened void. Learn from my mistakes."
—NEIL GAIMAN
"A good friend was thoughtful enough to send me the gift of a David Rees artisinally sharpened pencil. I was blown away when I saw it. My wife and I proudly display it in our home. I have always been a pen man, but if you've got to have a pencil in the house, this is the pencil to have."
— PAUL F. TOMPKINS
“David Rees carved away the wood that hides the graphite the way I need to carve away the fat the hides my ability to wear a bathing suit. Thank you for showing me the path, Rees."
—PATTON OSWALT
"Could I sharpen my own pencils? Sure, I could! I could also perform my own dentistry, cobble my own shoes and smith my own tin -- but why not leave such matters to real artisans, instead? I trust my bespoke pencils only to David Rees."
—ELIZABETH GILBERT
CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS
Could I sharpen my own pencils? Sure, I could! I could also perform my own dentistry, cobble my own shoes and smith my own tin -- but why not leave such matters to real artisans, instead? I trust my bespoke pencils only to David Rees.
—Elizabeth Gilbert, Writer
A good friend was thoughtful enough to send me the gift of a David Rees artisanally sharpened pencil. I was blown away when I saw it. My wife and I proudly display it in our home. I have always been a pen man, but if you've got to have a pencil in the house, this is the pencil to have.
—Paul F. Tompkins, Actor/comedian
Of all the great artisanal crafts, I think I was most disheartened to see pencil sharpening relegated to the dusty bin of history. That is why I am so thrilled David Rees is picking up the reins of the forgotten art of manual pointcrafting. I love my pencil!
—Amy Sedaris, Crafts Expert
Rees carved away the wood that hides the graphite the way I need to carve away the fat the hides my ability to wear a bathing suit. Thank you for showing me the path, Rees.
—Patton Oswalt, Actor/comedian
BEST SHARPENED PENCIL IN MY LIFE EVER!
—Mike Watt, Musician
In my capacity as a writer, I need to do one thing: write. With a pencil. After years of settling for inferior home-sharpened pencils, Mr. Rees has finally filled this much-needed niche. And yes, I did write off the sharpening as a professional service on my tax forms.
—Chris Higgins, Writer
I am a PhD student, which is serious and important business, because there are always a lot of smart people around me, and smart people know a lot about good pencils. That is why an artisanally sharpened pencil is crucial: to make sure I’m able to take the sharpest notes, make the crispest citations, and leave behind the most legible annotations for future generations of scholars. David Rees’s fine craftmanship ensures that my fellow classmates always turn their heads in envy when they hear the furious scribbling of my razor sharp pencil during lectures. Oh, you need a laptop or an iPad to get this lecture started? That’s funny, I don't -- because I’ve got a sharp-ass pencil right here, so let’s do this already.
—Zach Maggio, PhD Student, NYU
Thank you for the specially sharpened pencils. They are cool and they made me good and brave that I have a sharp pencil. Once again thank you for the pencils.
—Gary, 4th grader
After ordering one of David Rees’s miraculously sharp pencils, I tried to duplicate his results at home with a pocket knife. The result was an uneven, craggy mess. Why did I think I could best a skilled craftsman at his own game?
—Aidan Morgan, Freelance writer
I bought an artisanally sharpened pencil to help my son on his SATs. The extraordinary care and attention to detail in the sharpening job clearly had a positive impact on his score. Thanks David!
—Seth Godin, Author, Poke the Box
As a visual artist, I demand a lot from my tools, because I know I'm going up against the best. David Rees’s artisanally sharpened pencils give me the edge I need to stand out from the rest of the pack. Using his artisanally sharpened pencils puts me at ease, because I know how much care he puts into sharpening the best point he can. There are a lot of variables that go into making work you can’t always control, but one thing you can always control is the quality of your point. I work easier and I work better knowing that David Rees has my back on that.
—Andy Sturdevant, Artist
When my precious pencil cargo arrived I had a huge personal struggle about whether to use the finely crafted tool to make notes or to frame it. However, my dear wife crafted such a fine frame for it that my decision was made for me and it’s now hermetically sealed and takes pride of place above my bathroom door. Before I die though, I will scribble a missive with it.
—Daniel Hoffmann-Gill, Actor
I brought my artisanally-sharpened pencil to my art class, and the students and teacher were all blown away. I can’t bring myself to actually use it, though; it’s just so perfect and beautiful.
—Kathi Mestayer, Consultant
As promised, my pencil arrived sharp (too sharp?). Note: When sharing a Rees pencil with a work colleague, one should always do so eraser first.
—Kathleen Crapo, High school administrator
The university gallery where I’ve worked as director for over 20 years oversees an ambitious program of rotating art exhibitions and a permanent collection of over 7,000 art objects and artifacts. When I saw David Rees’s artisanally sharpened pencils, I knew immediately to buy one for my personal collection. Pencils like these rarely come to the art market, and I jumped at the opportunity to have one of my very own.
—Catherine Tedford, University art gallery director
Thank you for the artisanally sharpened pencils David Rees. They look very phenomenal. They were so sharp. I was so flabbergasted when I saw them. They were amazing. I was so astonished.
—Bess, 3rd grader
My son knows how much I appreciate two things: fine art, and any form of writing that can be erased later if circumstances warrant. This led him to generously give me an Artisanal Pencil for Christmas. His gift, however, has burdened me with fears of miscalculation: Should I use it ceaselessly and without shame, grinding its point of perfection to dust? Or should I frame and mount my pencil as the fine work of art that it is, to be passed from generation to generation, while its inevitable appreciation enhances my family’s wealth and prestige?
—Douglas K German, Actuary
As a craftsman and teacher I strive to show people and my students fine work; I believe it inspires them to strive towards doing fine work themselves. Though I dare not use Mr. Rees’s superbly sharpened #2 pencil, I proudly use it as a talking point for showcasing fine work and supporting the exemplary craftsmen who endeavor to do it. Every time I see the careful attention paid to such a simple tool, I’m reminded to spend the extra effort to do my best work.
—Trevor Walsh, Model-making and prototyping professor/Hobby wood craftsman
I’m a copyeditor and indexer, and my two pencils had been in a terrible state, dull and nearly unusable. I was naturally distraught until I received the email that would turn my life around. Today, thanks to David Rees and his peerless craftsmanship, my pencils are sharp and my business is booming!
—Susan Clements, Copyediter
My artisanally sharpened pencil is prominently displayed in my office. Students often ask why it’s there. I usually begin by explaining the unique service David Rees provides, but the conversation often takes off in unexpected, interdisciplinary, and profitable new directions. Sociological: What place should handicraft occupy in the post-industrial age? Rabbinic: What is the meaning of work, and may one sharpen on the Sabbath? Aesthetic: How should we account for the surprising beauty of a properly sharpened #2 yellow pencil? Epistemological: Can the non-expert independently verify the sharpness rating (8/10, in my case) assigned by the artisan? Metaphysical: Is the pencil a “tool” if it remains on display; is it, say, what Heidegger might have called zuhanden (ready-to-hand)? In short, the pencil has provided many teachable moments. I highly recommend David Rees’s service to other educators.
—Ron Mourad, Professor of religious studies
Your pencils are awesome! If I were a pencil I would pay a lot for you to sharpen me. They were very helpful for the (state standardized) test. Thank you! Your pencils are sharp!
—Allegra, 4th grader
My home burned down and most of my belongings were destroyed. As we sifted through the rubble, to my delight, I found my artisanally sharpened pencil, still in its case, resting under a section of ceiling, completely unscathed. Many contractors, fire inspectors, insurance agents and cleaning professionals arrived quickly, ready to help, but none appeared to bring a writing utensil. As one of the only surviving treasures was my artisanally sharpened pencil by David Rees, when asked if I had a writing utensil, I would secretly rub the artisanally sharpened pencil hiding in my pocket. Thank you David.
—Lesley A. Hause, Advertising manager
I work on a computer all day, so there’s nothing I enjoy more than a respite from the screen at the end of a long afternoon. When I want to relax, I step away from my desk, pick up a sketchbook and my expertly-sharpened pencil courtesy of David Rees, and I put finely-pointed lead to paper. If you’re looking to create detailed shading or fine line work for character designs, this is the man to see. Thank you, Mr. Rees!
—Chris Stiles, Video game designer
I received one of your pencils from my best friend as a gift. The pencil and concept behind what you do with pencils struck me as such a brilliant, beautiful, sentimental appreciation for this simple tool. When I received your pencil, I decided to mount it in a display case in my room. It’s a reminder that there are people in the world thinking about things in special, appreciative ways. It’s a reminder that I too can take the time to pay attention to all of the little things that human beings tend to take for granted. So thank you. Very much. Very much indeed!
—Lindy Kedro, Teacher
In my line of work, a sharp pencil is a must-have. When I received my first artisanally sharpened pencil, it was like taking a little vacation from the hustle and bustle; from the constant whir of the electric pencil sharpener. It felt like getting back to my roots. I hang my “Certificate of Sharpening” on the fridge to remind myself of that moment -- a little daily affirmation. Another bonus: it’s REALLY hard to explain to friends who have never heard of David Rees why I paid someone to sharpen a pencil for me!
—Kathryn Justice Leache, Librarian
I gave an artisanally sharpened pencil to my wife as a wedding present. The gesture touched her very deeply. Thank you, David Rees, for demonstrating the loving care and attention to detail that lends a touchstone to the rich abundance of hope and meaning in our simple lives.
—Jeffrey Crealock-Marsh, Farm representative
My artisanally sharpened #2 pencil is displayed prominently in my home. It symbolizes a dedication to craft and a standard to which I aspire. In contracting, they say a good carpenter is only as good as his tools and, paradoxically, that a good carpenter never blames his tools. The elemental tool in any toolbox is the pencil; it’s the one most often stolen on a job site. All projects begin with a pencil line. The accuracy of that line will incrementally lead to either the success or failure of a given project. I would never dream of bringing my artisanally sharpened pencil to a construction site -- but it is a daily reminder that my tools are an extension of my professional self; they must be sharpened and maintained, as every mark reverberates into the future.
—George Mansfield, Contractor
As a Canadian journalist, I can confirm that your pencil is useful in the real world of the Great White North. During a Manitoba winter, it’s impossible to take notes in pen, because the ink will freeze. Only a pencil gets the job done. Your artisanally sharpened pencil has drawn me the envy of my peers. When I tackle an out-of-doors interview, I know that the notes I take will be both accurate and complete. It is a journalistic axiom that the pen is mightier than the sword. Thank you, David Rees, for putting the pencil above them both.
—Grant A. Hamilton, Journalist
As a luthier building instruments for some of the finest classical guitarists in the world, my profession involves absolute precision to the 10th of a millimeter. This pencil, expertly sharpened by Rees, not only provides the accuracy required for my exacting tolerances, it is a companion in my artistic process. I find each use of the pencil to be an inspirational pleasure.
—Stephan Connor, Luthier
The artisanally sharpened pencils were absolutely flabbergasting! Question: What is your favorite tropical fruit?
—Nailah, 3rd grader
