My wife and I recently did a DIY project of creating our own chalkboard for the kitchen (thanks to Pinterest). We bought chalkboard paint and painted it on a glass window. It took a couple coats but after the 3rd one, it was ready to go.
She asked if I would buy her some chalk on Amazon after the chalk she bought (some cheap brand) did not write on her board cleanly/evenly. Having been out of school for a long time (I haven't seen chalk since college), I didn't know there was such thing as "quality chalk" or "low dust chalk". I thought chalk was chalk!
After reading several reviews on various products, I finally settled for Prang Hygieia. According to other reviewers who seem to know more than me, Prang is one of the "best" chalk brands. Wanting to learn more, I found this from a 3rd party website (Amazon does not let you link externally).
**HYGIEIA CHALK Hygieia is made of 95% pure calcium carbonate. This high percentage of pure levigated or refined chalk means it is virtually free of grit, greasy binders, or other ingredients harmful to board surfaces. This high quality produces a clean, white mark, easily legible anywhere in the classroom. It erases easily (the heavier particles settle in the chalk tray and significantly cut down on dust). Hygieia outlasts ordinary chalk, and actually preserves chalkboard surfaces by keeping the "tooth" of the board in perfect writing condition.**
I'm not a geologist, so I have no clue what calcium carbonate does vs whatever traditional chalk is made of but this chalk truly is magical. It writes smoothly/evenly/clearly (even on chalkboard paint surfaces). There doesn't seem to be much dust at all and it erases nicely.
My only complaint is that some of the chalk arrived in broken pieces but I'm not docking stars for that. Out of all 12 sticks, only 2 of mine were broken. Bottom line, chalk is fragile. Whether you buy it from Amazon or you buy it at your local store like Walmart. All of it comes from the same place and it is stored in warehouses. The slightest drop/bump/hit will break your chalk. If you get a pack with all of them in one piece, then consider yourself lucky. But there is no reason to dock stars just because your chalk is broken. That's like docking stars from a Butterfinger or Heath candy bar that isn't in one piece.
| Manufacturer | Dixon Ticonderoga Company |
|---|---|
| Brand | Prang |
| Item Weight | 1.6 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 3.38 x 2.5 x 0.9 inches |
| Item model number | 61400 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Color | Assorted |
| Cover Material | calcium carbonate |
| Material Type | calcium carbonate |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Size | 12 Count (Pack of 1) |
| Ink Color | Multicolor |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 61400 |
