I’ve read that they receive multiple coats of lacquer. The matte finish on the Blackwing is velvety and luxuriant. For a second, I thought “These are too nice to use.” But only for a second. These aren’t the pencils we grew up with in school. From the matte black finish of the barrel to the unique ferrule, you get the impression that no corners have been cut. When you open the carton you’re met with the wonderful aroma of cedar. These are priced as a premium product ($28CDN), and clearly look the part. The “Regular” is what I’ll be talking about here. There are also quarterly, limited-edition volumes that focus on a cultural icon or event. Blackwing doesn’t grade their leads, and all lean to the softer side. Going from firmest to softest: 602, Pearl, and Regular. There are a few variants of the Blackwing. I purchased a box of 12 from Wonder Pens in Toronto-one of the few shops in Canada to carry them. Were they really that good? Would opening a box of them be accompanied by a chorus of singing angels? I had to find out. They’re then sent to California where the eraser assembly is attached. The pencils are made in Japan with incense cedar and waxed graphite. To the relief of the pencil community, California Cedar Products bought the Blackwing brand, and released the Blackwing 602 under its Palomino division in 2011. The original Blackwing went out of production in 1998. This was the pencil used by legendary animator Chuck Jones and author John Steinbeck. Their claim was it had the wear of an HB lead, but had the smoothness of a 3B/4B. Eberhard Faber first began production of the Blackwing 602 in the early 1930s. To begin with, each pencil is made using genuine incense-cedar wood & finished with several layers of lacquer, making them ideal for use anywhere, including the studio, home & out in the field.Įncased in this reinforced wood is a premium Japanese graphite, carefully blended & crafted using clay for strength & wax for a smooth, comfortable finish.Īnd finally, all Blackwing pencils feature an iconic, rectangular ferrule.When I started doing lettering and illustration, I came across a lot of references to the Blackwing. Of course, the design is timeless but there are several features that separate these from other pencils! Then in 2010, due to the obvious immense customer demand, they were brought back into circulation for the modern generation.Īnd now, here at Cowling & Wilcox, you can experience these legendary pencils for yourself & find out why people have been so desperate to get their hands on them! however, this only lead the truly devoted to head online & spend upwards of $40 a pencil! Originally introduced in the 1930s, Blackwing pencils very quickly gained a cult following amongst creatives, with notable examples including author John Steinbeck & cartoonist Chuck Jones (who proudly used them to create Bugs Bunny & other Looney Tunes characters).ĭespite this, due to cost-cutting measures, these were discontinued in the 90s. The included gift box doubles as a desktop pencil cup, making a wonderful addition to anyone's arsenal of materials. This set of 12 makes the perfect present for the artist in your life (or yourself, we don't judge!). Ideal for anyone preferring a soft, dark line, the Blackwing Matte is the softest of the four core Blackwing models.Įach pencil features a timeless matte black finish, iconic square Blackwing ferrule and black eraser.
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