The Search for the Wild Blackwing

Finding the elusive Blackwing 602 pencil is a lot like bird watching.  You need to be in the right place at the right time, and be very patient.  If you are lucky enough to find one you will end up feeling like you have just spotted the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker: rare, thought by everyone to be extinct, but lurking in the wild waiting to be discovered by the devoted few.

I have written previously on the NWD blog about Blackwing 602 pencils (HERE and HERE), partly because they are my favorite writing instrument, and partly because I still can't quite accept the truth that they aren't being made anymore.  In an attempt to move on in my life and find a way to acceptance I have focused my pencil obsession in a new direction: finding a replacement for the Blackwing 602.  I have searched the web, read personal opinions among the comments from Pencil Revolustionaries, and haunted the aisles at my local Staples (until I started getting funny looks from the sales staff).  Finally I am able to say that I have found a pencil that meets the challenge, which picks up the gauntlet thrown down by the Blackwing and offers a compelling alternative to the ruling champion of writing instruments.

First, a short eulogy:  There is something about the Blackwing 602.  Maybe it is the sleek silvery-grey color of the finish or the distinctive eraser shape that sets it above your average pencil.  Maybe it is the slogan stamped in gold: Half the Pressure, Twice the Speed. For me it has always been the graphite core that makes the difference.  I love great design and innovative looks, but it is the function that is the ultimate criteria for me, the thing that makes or breaks even the coolest looking product.  No other pencil provides that smooth and rich writing experience.  But they are no more, driven into extinction from the same quirky detail that set it apart from other pencils; the metal clip that holds the eraser in the ferrule.

In my search for a replacement of what I consider the best pencil ever manufactured, I needed to find a pencil that had at least these qualities established by the Blackwing 602:

1. Dark smooth graphite with a slightly waxy feel to it.
2. Graphite that doesn't smudge easily (eliminating most grades over 4B).
3. Reasonably priced (i.e. not so rare that you have to buy at collctor's prices).
4. Produced by a company with commitment to pencil quality (to avoid future heartbreak should they stop production on a whim).

I gathered several brands and lead grades of pencils together, some easily found in office supply stores, others sold in art supply stores.  After trying them all out in my Moleskine Reporter notebook (this is a stab at journalism after all) I reduced the crowd down to these runners-up. Here is the list of contenders for the throne:

• Staedtler Mars-Lumograph 100: 4B
• FaberCastell Noblot Ink Pencil 705
• California Republic Palomino: HB
• Sanford Design Ebony 14420
• Prismacolor Turquoise 02268: 4B
• California Republic Palomino: 2B

I ran these pencils through the testing facility, meaning I wrote and scribbled with them in my Moleskine, and compared them against the Blackwing for smoothness in writing, darkness in writing, smudgability, ability to create a range of shades of grey, and ease of erasure. I switched back and forth often with the Blackwing, to give a good side-by-side comparison. After this rigorous process I found only three of the above pencils performing well in all categories. The finalists are:

• Staedtler Mars-Lumograph 100: 4B
• California Republic Palomino: HB
• California Republic Palomino: 2B

The Palomino 2B was a late entrant to the race, as it is among the newest grades being produced by California Republic.  It seems odd to have two pencils from the same maker, so instead I will treat them together as one finalist.

Testing the finalists in my Moleskine Reporter notebook.

As they say at the Miss America contest, everyone is a winner.  In the case of finding a replacement for the Blackwing 602 the same is true.  Of the 3 finalists there were only subtle differences between either of the pencil brands.  The subtle differences between them may be settled by your own individual preferences, but here are my results:

The first runner-up is:  Staedtler Mars-Lumograph 100: 4B!  Should the winner of the Blackwing 602 replacement contest be unable to fulfill its duties, the first runner up will ... well, you know the drill.

And the winner is:  California Republic Palomino: HB & 2B!  A tie really between the 2 grades - both possessing smoothness in writing that compares equally to the Blackwing 602.

The Lumograph 4B is a very smooth writing pencil, but a little on the smudgy side and ever-so slightly less waxy feeling compared to the Palomino.  I chose the Palominos because they each accomplished the smooth and waxy feeling on paper that is almost identical to the Blackwing 602 but at lower and less smudgy grades.  The 2B is a bit softer and darker than the HB, but for general use, daily writing and sketching, the HB provides the same pleasurable writing experience at a lower and cleaner writing grade.  Frankly, I am very impressed that an HB pencil would even be a contender to compare with the 4B grade of the Blackwing 602, so for that reason alone I pick it above the Palomino 2B.

The Blackwing 602 will never be replaceable, really.  It possesses a certain inimitable quality, the combination of unique elements that make it impossible to reproduce exactly.  Now that I have found Palomino pencils I am much happier having a day-to-day writing instrument of such high quality without the concern associated with using a rare and collectible pencil.  The Blackwing may be gone, but long live the Palomino!

Thanks so much to Phoebe Epstein for the use of her birdwatcher photo above.  See her complete Flickr photo album HERE.

Comments

[Nita]

Nice job on the comparison test. I've never used a Blackwing, but love my Palimino HB. I'm glad to know it's so close to the master pencil!

(a fellow NH-ite)

[Ninth Wave Designs]

Nita - Yahoo for NH bloggers! Glad to hear you agree on the Palomino, they are simply great pencils. I love that W & N number on your blog, I'll have to get one too! - Ninth Wave

[cm]

I thought I was the only one. I've been obsessively looking for a new pencil since the BLACK VELVET went the way of the dodo. I've hoarded my last box for years. (It's a sad story.) I'll have to give Palomino a try.

[Ninth Wave Designs]

CM - Try the Palomino, I think you will be pleased with them. Pencils, and pencil producers, can be an unpredictable lot. So my new approach to pencils is if I find some that I love I buy a bunch of them. This means I now have more pencils than one person could possibly use in one lifetime, but it makes me happy. By the way, I have a few dozen Black Velvets still on hand too, but not enough! - Ninth Wave

[kitty]

I've never used a Blackwing (yet) but have been looking to replace my beloved Eberhard Faber Black Velvets (2 HB) I don't know what the HBs and the 2s and all the codes mean, but as a musician (pencils only!) I have never found a pencil that feels so nice on paper or in my hand. Now that I'm down to my last full Black Velvet, I have to find a comparable replacement. I've found some Blackwings on ebay and will give them a try (I like the eraser style) and should that fail (unlikely, given the obsessive praise lavished on them by devotees) will try your Palomino suggestion. BTW, if you or CM are feeling benevolent and would like to throw me a bone (in the form of a Black Velvet or two), you'd earn great karma and a generous price.

[ThunderPussy]

I represent the Dixon Ticonderoga 1338-2 soft for my ultra cheap pencil love.

Perfect test taking and daydreaming pencil.

[Simon]

I feel sympathy for all you proper pencil-lovers, having lost your favourite. Being more of a fan of mechanical pencils, it was a sad day when I got the message that production of the best ever such - the Stabilo Jet (picture: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adulau/149754989/ ) - had ceased.

[Wayne Radford]

try lee valley tools,they have english made pencils that are great

[Joseph Francis]

You didn't consider Tombow pencils? They're pretty nice.

[Laura]

Great side-by-side. I got very attached to my Mars Lumograph pencils after taking a drawing class in college. Just seeing that black and bright-blue pencil reminded me of sitting in class. I'll have to track down some Palominos. They look lovely!

[Jenny]

Great, great post! I hope you don't mind if I link to it from my blog...you can probably tell from the title that I'm also a wee bit nuts about Blackwings. I've tried every one on your list of contenders--except the Palomino! Figures. I much appreciate the tip!

[Sebastien Bailard]

Regarding erasers, I like the Faber Castell Grip eraser caps, mentioned here:
http://pencils.smoky.ca/2005/11/faber-castell-grip-2001

I use them with my Kohinoor Rapidomatic Pencil 0.7mm
http://www.utrechtart.com/dsp_view_product.cfm?classId=2410&subclassID=241012&brandname=Kohinoor&item=38185
the Rapidomatic has a nice weight and feel to it, and I use the eraser cap to on the writing tip when it's in my pocket.

[Ninth Wave Designs]

Joseph Francis -

When I wrote this post back in November I hadn't yet found the Tombo Mono Professionals. The 4B in a Mono is very close to the Blackwing, and is certainly an extremely fine pencil. The graphite in the Palominos has a slightly more waxy feel to it than the Monos, and so is more closely matched to the Blackwing's waxy smooth performance. Monos are a great drafting and writing pencil, especially if you prefer a crisp and firm line. I am a sucker for a nice creamy smooth graphite core like the Palomino, and it is very expressive for writing and drawing. - NW

[Ninth Wave Designs]

Laura -

I used Mars Lumograph for all my drawing classes in college. Actually, the one in the picture above is a remnant from that time. - NW

[Ninth Wave Designs]

Jenny -

Link away - A blackwing blog, what a great theme! - NW

[Ninth Wave Designs]

Sebastion -

I haven't seen the Grip erasers in stores, but I will have to try and find some. I'm not a big fan of the Grip 2001, although I know many people love them. I wrote about triangular pencils recently HERE. Thanks for the tip! - NW

[SupremeCom]

I don't rate as a true pencil affectionado (as evidenced by my lack of knowledge of this sainted Blackwing pencil). However, I am still pencil obsessed and glad to see that I'm not the only one.

My obsession stemmed from childhood seeing my Dad (the civil engineer) with his pile of highly sharpened Ticonderoga pencils. Thankfully, I didn't feel the same way about his pocket protector!

I will definately go and find a Palomino cause I am about fed up with mechanical pencils.

Long live the pencil!

[Jenny]

Done! And here's my original post from my blog that rhasodizes on the Blackwing itself: The Blackwing Diaries: why my blog is titled as it is

It's funny--get some animation artists talking about tools--pens, pencils and the like--and you've got yourself an instant party! ; ) I sense a trip to our local hardcore art store soon here at work, thanks to your post!
-Jenny
P.S. This is a terrific blog you've done here.

[rektide]

three pencils?

how were these elite competitors chosen?

[Ninth Wave Designs]

Rektide -

The three pencils are the finalists. If you read the post you will see the full list above the photo. I eliminated a number of pencils before even writing the post which is why there is no mention of Ticonderogas, Black Warriors, Golden Bears, etc.

The second paragraph is where you will find the answer to your second question. - NW

[Lee-Roy]

Cool. I'll give the Cali Republic a try! Thanks for the taste test.

[skorko]

Does nobody remember the late, lamented IBM Electrographic? To me, the Blackwing, though I used and appreciated it, was a distant second for notating musical score.

[Phil Wolff]

Great! Now, what's your favorite pencil sharpener?

[Ninth Wave Designs]

Skorko -

Aren't the IBM Electrograph's even harder to find than the Blackwing? I have never seen one myself, so can't speak for how they compare to the Blackwing. - NW

[Ninth Wave Designs]

Phil -

My favorite pencil sharpener is the KUM Automatic Long Point. You can see a nice picture of one HERE.

It is a two-stage sharpening process; the first stage cuts the wood, the second stage points the graphite. It is designed to automaticall stop, so you never oversharpen your pencil. It also comes with replaceable blades. You can see the manufacturer's website HERE. - NW

[jgodsey]

thanks for this.
i didn't think i would notice the difference when i bought the palominos.
but i did - perhaps because i was conscienciously looking for it. I just figured out that these are the perfect tool for postage stamp sorting. they write clearly and deeply on glassine envelopes and erase cleanly.

[Ninth Wave]

Jgodsey -

Glad to hear you like the Palominos. One of the things I like about them is how cleanly they erase. The Tombow Mono Professionals are equally wonderful pencils, but I find they are a little more stubborn to erase than the Palominos, especially in the softer grades. Thanks! - NW

[Henry D Zegzula]

Do you know of a source for Eberhard Faber Noblot Ink Pencils 705? Please advise..hdz

[Ninth Wave]

Henry -

Pencil Things has the Noblots singly and by the dozen: LINK. It is a great place to find all sorts of interesting pencils, so have a look around. - NW

[Mark]

Thanks for this great review. I, too, have been looking for a replacement for the Blackwing 602, so I was thrilled to read about your comparisons.

Today my shipment of Palominos arrived, in the 2B, B, and HB grades. Sure enough, the HB is surprisingly smooth and dark for its grade. I prefer the B and the 2B, though, because they're darker.

Because of your giving it runner-up status, I tried the Mars Lumograph 4B for the very first time yesterday, and found it to be velvety smooth on paper. It's maybe a little too soft, though. I tend to put a lot of pressure on my pencil points while writing, and with the Mars Lumograph I'm afraid I'm going to wear down that creamy point in no time flat. That's not really a problem with the Palominos, though.

I hope that California Republic keeps making these fine pencils. I wonder if they'll introduce a 3B or a 4B.