Most of you probably know I love vintage art tools, and was so chuffed (an Englishism) to find a stash of these beautifully machined British drawing compasses, many with their original Staedler Noris pencils.

Helix invented this clever little tool in 1894 and by the 1920s and well through the 1970s most British school kids had one (friends confirm this). Helix still makes drawing compasses for schools but sadly they are plastic.

I found these buried in a box of junk in a jumble store in Old Town, Hastings, England—all but one had the original school pencil (a Staedler Noris made in England), and all were tarnished and filthy. I spent a few days cleaning with a Dremel and buff, and then polishing with brass polish. I also cleaned up and hand-sharpened the little pencils (with a knife, of course!). Two of them bear the names of their original owners.

These fold nearly flat and slip easily into your field kit (4” long - 10 cm). The pencils should last forever (hand-sharpen with a knife instead of a rotary sharpener to conserve graphite and wood!) but if you need to replace, you can find stashes of old English-made Staedlers on eBay. I think the vintage graphite is much higher quality, and are slender enough to go into the holder. Ticonderoga No. 2s will fit, but the new Blackwings do not.

Priced from $18 (based on age, condition). Only six are available! These are selling on eBay and Etsy for anywhere from $18 to $116!

SOLD INDIVIDUALLY; REFER TO PHOTO 4, THEY ARE LABELLED A THROUGH F.

A - Oldest model, ever so slightly heavier than the others, without the scalloped insides. Straight, lightly burnished. “Made in Britain” and patent number on the adjustment wheel. Original Noris Staedler, with “Darren” written on the side. – $25

B - Brighter brass than A, with scalloped inside edges. Straight, lightly burnished. “Made in Britain” and patent number on the adjustment wheel. Original Noris Staedler. – $24

C - Bright brass, with scalloped inside edges. Straight, lightly burnished. “Made in Britain” and patent number on the adjustment wheel. Original Noris Staedler, with “Simon” written on the side. – $21

D - Bright brass, with scalloped inside edges. Straight, lightly burnished. “Made in Britain” and patent number on the adjustment wheel. Original Noris Staedler, with an unreadable name written on the side. – $21

E - Burnished brass, with scalloped inside edges. Every so slightly crooked on one side but still makes perfect circles. Adjustment wheel has the old markings but they are slightly marred because the wheel was stuck and it took some work to get it off (someone before me tried using pliers, hence the markings; I used WD40 and heat). Does not include original pencil but does include a new old-stock Staedler (made in England). – $18

F - Bright brass though one of the arms appears to be plated with silver metal, with scalloped inside edges. Straight, lightly burnished. “Made in Britain” and patent number on the adjustment wheel. Original Noris Staedler, but just a nubbin—so I’ll include a new old-stock Staedler (made in England). – $18