What can you guys tell me about this? Is it a leadholder or not?
It is a bit of a Schrödinger’s Fix, I dare say.
From what I could understand, this is intended to be a pen, and work with ballpoint or roller cartridges in such a manner that the writing tip protrudes out of the four metal prongs once the rear button is deployed. I could not dismantle the specimen I have, and I am terrified to break it if i try too hard to discover its internals.
At the same time, however, I found that a piece of “relatively fat” lead (3B and up in softness; even better results with vintage 4B lead) can be accommodated perfectly in those jaws, and the object itself can be effectively turned into a working pencil.
Which is great, because the diameter and shape of the barrel are almost perfect for my taste: smooth finish without the recurring sanded grip area so common on Fixpencils old and new; impeccable balance with the lead inserted; pleasant feeling during any writing session; masterful command of aesthetics. There can be moments when my fingertips get too close to the writing end, and I feel the sharp edges of the jaws clutching the lead, but it is a very rare issue in an otherwise more than excellent design.
I know that a Fixpencil 24 with round barrel should exist, not sure whether in pencil or pen form (the pictures I found online are indecisive), and I think this Stylofix 54 is as close as I will ever get to a round-barrel Fixpencil pencil, especially considering how perfect is the fit with the right kind of lead.
@Vici81 , I urge you to try the trick and see it for yourself. At any rate, great find in that green hue — mine is a more uneventful black — and amazing addition to whatever inventory from Caran d’Ache you can put together. ![]()
Thank you for the extensive reply. What is the body made of? Plastic or aluminium?
Found a photo of a blue one on a concluded sale on millanuncios website:
There is a hexagonal body version also called Stylofix 54

