Product description

Blackwing - Since the 1930s

Tools Coveted By Award-winning Creators

Pencils, sharpeners and notebooks for writers, artists, composers and anyone who does their best thinking with a pencil in hand. Genuine California Incense-cedar. Japanese graphite. The iconic ferrule that has been our signature for ninety years.

Since the 1930s

Built on Heritage

Blackwing's roots go back to the 1930s, when it was the pencil of choice for creators including John Steinbeck and Chuck Jones. The brand disappeared in the 1990s and returned in 2010. Today Blackwing crafts pencils, notebooks and analog tools for people who want to slow down.

Soft Graphite

Darkest, Smoothest Core

Dynamically reflects the pressure you apply. Blackwing's softest core, made for drawing.
Balanced Graphite

The Middle Ground

Handles writing and sketching effortlessly. Made for journaling and music notation.
Firm Graphite

Half the Pressure

Great point retention, yet buttery smooth. Made for writing and sketching.

One-Step Long Point Sharpener

German steel blade, machined aluminum body, no plastic to crack. Creates the long curved point Blackwing pencils are designed around.
Blackwing Notebooks

Heavyweight pages made for graphite: clean lines, minimal ghosting, easy erasing. Lay-flat spiral or hardcover Slate.
Pencil Essentials Set

One of each core, the One-Step sharpener and a point guard in a gift-ready box. The audition pack.
Notebook Essentials Set

Four pencils, the One-Step sharpener, a point guard and an A5 Slate notebook with a built-in pencil holster.

Find the Graphite That Matches How You Write


Customer Reviews	2,106	1,070	2,099	554	18
Price	$34.00	$34.00	$34.00	$34.00	—
Graphite Type	Soft	Balanced	Firm	Extra-Firm	All four cores
Line Darkness	Darkest	Dark	Medium	Lightest	Full range
Point Retention	Shortest	Medium	Longer	Longest	Varies
Recommended For	Drawing	Journaling, music notation	Writing, sketching	Technical drawing, notes	Trying all four
Barrel Finish	Black	Pearlescent white	Gunmetal grey	Clear matte cedar	Assorted
Eraser Color	Black	White	Pink	Grey	Four colors
California Incense-Cedar
Count	12	12	12	12	4 + sharpener + guard

I'm new to Blackwing. Which pencil should I start with?

Most people start with the Pearl - it sits between the soft Matte and the firm 602. To try all four cores before committing to a dozen, the Pencil Essentials Set includes one of each.
What do soft, firm, balanced and extra-firm actually mean?

They describe how much graphite the pencil lays down and how long it holds a point. Softer cores make darker lines and need sharpening more often. Firmer cores make finer lines and last longer between sharpenings.
Will Blackwing pencils fit a standard sharpener?

Yes. The barrel is a standard pencil diameter. The Blackwing One-Step and Two-Step sharpeners are shaped to produce the long, curved point these pencils are designed around.
Why is the eraser rectangular instead of round?

The flat eraser slides out of the ferrule so you can extend it as it wears, then replace it when it is gone. It has been Blackwing's signature since the 1930s.
What is the Blackwing Foundation?

A portion of every purchase funds the Blackwing Foundation, which supports arts and music education in public schools.

From the brand

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What makes our products unique?

Our pencils are made from Genuine California Incense-cedar and premium Japanese graphite.

Our iconic design features a rectangular ferrule and clip that allows you to remove and replace your eraser.

How did we get our start?

Blackwing's roots go back to the 1930s. Throughout the 20th century, it was the pencil of choice for award-winning creators. Then, in the 1990s, the pencils disappeared.

We brought back the iconic Blackwing pencil in 2010 to introduce it to new generations of artists, writers, and creatives.