Hagoromo Chalk: A Unique Writing Experience

Introduction

• Hagoromo chalk is renowned among mathematicians for its exceptional quality.
• The chalk is often considered an emotional tool for its users.

Key Features of Hagoromo Chalk

• Smooth Performance: Feels like it melts on the blackboard.
• Consistency: Reliable writing experience, less dust compared to cheaper brands.
• Color Range: Offers unmatched options for color chalk, essential for visualizing complex ideas in teaching.

Pricing and Availability

• Price: Box of 12 white chalk sticks for $10.50 on Amazon, while Crayola's version is as low as 62 cents.
• Hagoromo chalk is currently produced in South Korea after the Japanese company nearly shut down in 2015.

Production Process

• Main Ingredients: 70-80% calcium carbonate and kaolin (natural clay), giving it its smooth texture.
• Comparison with Cheaper Brands: Cheaper chalk often made with gypsum, which creates more dust and breaks easily.
• Production Method: Involves special industrial mixers and proprietary methods to maintain high quality.
• Colorful Chalk: Made with pink aluminum and premium pigments, free from harmful chemicals.

Teaching and Usage

• Alvaro Lozano Robledo's Experience: Professor at Yukon, prefers Hagoromo chalk for teaching due to its erasure quality and the ability to visualize ideas with color.
• Erasing Quality: Unlike cheaper brands that leave deposits, Hagoromo chalk erases cleanly.

Brand Loyalty and Culture

• Hagoromo Heads: Community of loyal users who appreciate the quality.
• Social Media Influence: Alvaro became an ambassador for Hagoromo, creating content around mathematics and the chalk, boosting its visibility.

Historical Context

• Closure Crisis in 2015: Original Japanese company announced shutdown, leading to panic among mathematicians who began stockpiling the chalk.
• Successful Transition to South Korea: Shin Hyung Seok eventually took over the production, ensuring the continuation of the brand with the same quality standards.

Challenges and Future

• Demand vs. Production: Difficulty in keeping up with demand due to the meticulous production process that takes about three days per stick.
• Maintaining Quality: The commitment to honoring tradition while balancing growth and demand.

Conclusion

• Hagoromo chalk has established itself as a premium product in the education sector, valued for its unique qualities that enhance the teaching and learning experience.
• Users express deep emotional connections to the product, emphasizing its importance in their mathematical work.