Rikagaku Dustless Chalk Holder (DC-CH)

I recently confirmed the marvel that is Hagoromo--but chalk is brittle and I didn't want to risk it breaking while in use, so decided to get a protective holder. This was the most economic option I was sure would fit. To my surprise, it comes with a stick of Rikagaku chalk. I was pleased because it allowed me to compare it with Hagoromo. It's a good chalk. Better than the average cheap stuff. Definitely better than what came with my chalkboard--that went straight into compost. But this isn't about chalk, it's about the holder. If you've ever used a clutch pencil, you're familiar with this. It's like that, but bigger and with chalk. But it's a step beyond as well--it's halfway between a clutch pencil and a mechanical pencil. What it lacks is anything to limit how much comes out with a press of the button on the back. Never use that button unless you're either touching the end of the chalk to something. It could be your chalboard or your hand--do not let it get any momentum or it will throw your chalk until something stops it and your chalk may fragment. Unfortunately, this includes the cap. If you hit the button with the cap on, your chalk won't fly across the room, but it will probably fracture when it smacks the inside of the cap. It has a magnet on the cap so it can stick to a magnetic chalkboard. I was concerned the combined diameter of holder and chalk would make for an awkward writing instrument, but instead it makes for a comfortable one. A bit like a pen for the arthritic, it defies intuition and is easy and pleasing to wield. The button on the back has the misfortune of resembling chalk. This has lead to many "whoopsies" trying to write with it. Fortunately, none of those events have lead to the chalk rocketing across the room. It will also allow you to get a little more life out of your chalk, but even if it only got the same amount, it does so with a consistent comfort. You won't cramp using the last inch of usable chalk.

This holder is perfect for Japanese-style chalk like Hagoromo or Rikagaku. Don't buy this if you're using typical American chalkboard chalk. American chalk is typically has a smaller diameter and will fall out of this kind of holder. That aside, this is a great product for its intended use. The magnet in the clip is weak enough to be pulled off the board without any additional effort, but just strong enough to stay put when left there. The spring mechanism is very powerful and takes some getting used to (i.e. getting hit in the face by a projectile chalk stick once or twice), but otherwise is perfectly functional.

worked great for a while, but the chalk started to slip after a while (maybe i just press too hard, i dont know) so now i mostly use it for storage so i can carry around a piece of chalk in my backpack without dust getting everywhere

These holders and chalk are amazing. I homeschool and i livet this chalk. The fact that these holders have lids are a big plus. It is the only chalk I'll use now on my board. This is smooth and bright and erases very well. I have been getting a couple every few months so even my colored chalk can have holders. No more broken chalk all over the place!

A chalk holder with a cap, great, I thought. Not! It turns out that it does not hold the standard chalk used in schools, it needs some fatter chalk. Useless unless you have a new piece of chalk.

This guy has exactly one feature for me: I use Hagoromo Fulltouch chalk which is a little bit thicker than standard chalk and this is the only chalk holder I've ever found which is big enough to fit the larger chalk. I have been searching for a long time for such a chalk holder. Do not buy this expecting it to fit standard chalk. Standard chalk doesn't fit. This will only work for larger-diameter chalk. There is a spring inside which gives a little force to the chalk coming out of the holder. This is fine, I guess, but it surprised me the first time and my chalk shot out a little and broke.

One of the only chalk holders that supports larger-diameter Japanese chalk. Do not use with traditional American chalk. The plastic is nice because it will not scratch your board. The cap is nice because it has a strong magnet (protected by the plastic) on it. Minus one star because the chalk does tend to slip into the barrel when writing, because the hold on the chalk isn't sufficient. More friction would ameliorate this issue probably.

Excellent chalk holder! Works well with thick or thinner chalk. I use the thicker chalks myself. Well worth the wait coming from Japan! Magnet is strong, cap fits securely. The chalk that comes with it was broken in two of the three holders, but that didn't matter to me. The holders arrived well wrapped and in perfect condition.