Few stationery objects have a more interesting story than the Blackwing pencil. Introduced in the 1930s and used by Truman Capote, John Steinbeck, Igor Stravinsky, Chuck Jones, and Quincy Jones, it was discontinued in 1998 when the machine making its distinctive ferrule broke down. Remaining stock sold for extraordinary sums on eBay. The brand was revived in California in 2010, and has since become the most talked-about pencil in the world.
If you're wondering whether the reputation is earned, or which Blackwing to buy first, this guide covers everything.
What makes a Blackwing different
Three things distinguish a Blackwing from ordinary pencils.
The first is the graphite formulation. Blackwing pencils use graphite cores made in Japan, formulated to be smoother and softer than most equivalents while still holding their points reasonably well. Writing with a Blackwing has a particular quality — a gliding, buttery smoothness — that's immediately noticeable if you've only used standard pencils.
The second is the wood. All Blackwing pencils are made from California incense cedar, which sharpens cleanly to a fine point and produces a mild, pleasant scent when sharpened. The same wood is used in premium pencils globally, but Blackwing's sourcing and manufacturing consistency is high.
The third is the ferrule design. The metal fitting at the end of a Blackwing is flat and elongated rather than the usual round crimp — a design that allows the rectangular eraser inside to be extended as it wears down, and replaced entirely when used up with replacement erasers. It's a small piece of functional design that becomes genuinely useful over the life of the pencil.
Lead grades: the Blackwing system
Rather than using the standard European H/B grading system, Blackwing uses four proprietary descriptors that map approximately to equivalent conventional grades.
Soft — Blackwing Matte (≈ 3B)
The darkest, softest Blackwing. The Blackwing Matte produces a deep, dark line with exceptional smoothness — almost brush-like in feel. It's the choice for artists who want the most expressive mark-making from a pencil, and for anyone who writes with a very light touch and wants to see it rewarded with a dark, visible line. The trade-off is point longevity: the Matte wears down fastest of the four. It also leaves the most visible smear under a careless hand.
Classic black lacquer with gold ferrule, plus coloured finishes such as Matte Green and Matte Red. The black eraser is distinctive.
Best for: Sketching, drawing, shading, expressive writing, anyone who finds HB pencils too light.
Balanced — Blackwing Pearl (≈ 2B)
A step firmer than the Matte, the Blackwing Pearl strikes the balance that many writers and everyday users prefer: smooth enough to feel pleasurable, firm enough to hold a point longer than the Matte and smear less readily. It's the most versatile of the four and the best starting point if you're not sure which Blackwing to try first.
The Pearl has a pearlescent white body with gold ferrule and white eraser. Also made in shimmering pearlescent blue and pink barrels.
Best for: Everyday writing and drawing, those who want to use the same pencil for both purposes, first-time Blackwing buyers.
Firm — Blackwing 602 (≈ B)
Named after the original Eberhard Faber Blackwing 602, the Blackwing 602 is the pencil that started the legend and is probably the most famous Blackwing in the contemporary line-up. The slogan "Half the Pressure, Twice the Speed" appears on the barrel — a claim the 602's firmer, faster lead bears out. It stays sharp longer than the Matte or Pearl and is the most natural choice for writing rather than drawing.
Writers in particular often prefer the 602 for its responsiveness and the ease with which it moves across the page. It's the closest in character to a traditional quality writing pencil, but meaningfully smoother than any standard B grade.
Grey body, gold ferrule, pink eraser.
Best for: Writing, note-taking, anyone who wants to minimise sharpening, those transitioning from pens.
Extra Firm — Blackwing Natural (≈ HB)
The firmest Blackwing, comparable to a standard HB pencil in hardness but still noticeably smoother. The Blackwing Natural is the choice for anyone who wants maximum point longevity and minimal smearing — students who rest their hand on what they've written, those who work in humid conditions, or writers who prefer a lighter mark that shows intentional pressure more clearly.
Unpainted with a clear matte finish, revealing the natural cedar grain. The result is a beautiful-looking pencil that improves with handling as the wood's texture becomes more apparent.
Best for: Long note-taking sessions, heavy-handed writers, anyone who found the other Blackwings too soft or too smear-prone.
The iconic ferrule and eraser system
The flat, clip-like ferrule is one of the most recognised pencil designs in the world. Functionally, it holds a rectangular eraser that can be pulled out from the clip, extended as it wears, and replaced when finished. Replacement erasers come in several colours, and you can put any colour in any pencil. For bigger jobs, the Blackwing handheld eraser is a larger version of the same eraser in a holder.
One practical note: Blackwing pencils are slightly longer than standard pencils, so they may not fit every pencil case. The Blackwing Pencil Pouch is made for them, and a Blackwing Point Guard protects a sharpened tip in a bag or pocket.
Blackwing Volumes — the limited editions
Blackwing releases limited edition "Volumes" pencils several times a year, celebrating cultural icons, artists, and ideas. Each Volumes release has a unique barrel design and a graphite chosen to suit the subject. Past editions have celebrated Keith Haring, John Steinbeck, Ada Lovelace, John Muir, Jerry Garcia, and the Golden Gate Bridge, among many others. Current examples we stock include Volume 458 and Volume 11.
Volumes pencils sell out and don't return, which gives them a collector appeal beyond their writing performance. They make excellent gifts for creatives who use pencils — the combination of unusual design, quality graphite, and limited availability is hard to beat as a present.
At The Journal Shop we stock current Volumes releases while available. They're announced with relatively short notice, so signing up to our mailing list is the best way to hear about new editions before they sell out.
Blackwing accessories
Blackwing makes a small, thoughtful range of accessories designed around their pencils.
The One-Step Long Point Sharpener produces a longer, more tapered point than most standard sharpeners — useful for sketching where the full length of the graphite cone matters. The Two-Step Long Point Sharpener removes wood and then graphite in separate passes for the longest point of all. Both are genuinely excellent sharpeners, and replacement blades are available for each.
The Slate Notebook pairs naturally with Blackwing pencils: hardcover, with ivory pages chosen for pencil performance, an elastic loop, and a pencil tucked inside. It comes in A5, pocket A6 and A4 sizes.
The Pencil Extender allows you to use a pencil down to the final centimetres of graphite rather than discarding it when it becomes too short to hold comfortably.
Which Blackwing should you buy first?
The clearest recommendation: start with the Pearl. Its balanced feel suits both writing and drawing, it holds a point better than the Matte, and the white barrel is easy to love. If you consistently write more than you draw and want something firmer, try the 602. If you primarily sketch and want maximum expressiveness, the Matte.
For a gift, the Blackwing Walnut Box Set pairs pencils with a long point sharpener in a presentation box.
One honest caution: Blackwing pencils are more expensive than standard pencils, and the difference over a graphite pencil from Staedtler or Uni is real but not transformative for most writing tasks. They're among the best wooden writing pencils made today, but "best" means something specific and personal in the pencil world. If you've never used a quality graphite pencil, start with a single box of your preferred grade before committing to more.
Where to start: the Blackwing Pearl, or browse all Blackwing pencils. For mechanical options, see the best mechanical pencils.
