Handcrafted in Germany by e+m Holzprodukte, a family-owned maker since 1899, the Melange mechanical pencil combines solid wood with a mineral-tanned leather grip zone that naturally contours to the hand and eliminates the fatigue that comes with smooth, slippery barrels.

An Alcove & Nib favourite for its satisfying weight and the way the leather grip settles into the hand, the Melange sits at a considered 121mm long and 16mm in diameter, substantial without ever feeling heavy.

The smoked oak body is finished with raw brass mechanics that develop their own character over time, while the limed maple pairs with vintage brass for a warmer, softer contrast. Both arrive in a cardboard slipcase, making either version as fitting a gift as it is a daily companion for writing and sketching. Designed by Dominik Harborth.