The Blackwing 602 pencil began production in 1934 by the Eberhard Faber Pencil Company. Stamped on the side, opposite the brand mark, was the slogan "Half the Pressure, Twice the Speed". This claim was meant to appeal to stenographers, as the 602 possessed the unique softness and smoothness of a 3B/4B lead but with the rate-of-wear of an HB. However the 602 quickly evolved from an office tool to that of the artist. Among these were animators Chuck Jones and Don Bluth, authors John Steinbeck and Truman Capote, and composers Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim.
By the 90's, the pencil was being ordered at such a low volume, that when the machine that produced its unique ferrule and eraser tip broke, the decision was made to cease production and sell off the remaining stock. It was officially discontinued in 1998. Meanwhile, individual Blackwing 602 pencils regularly commanded $40 or more on auction sites like eBay.
In 2008, California Cedar Products Company acquired the Blackwing name and introduced the imitation Blackwing 602 pencil, a close approximation of the original. A portion of all pencils sold benefits the Blackwing Foundation, which was established to support music and art education in schools. We love this brand, and stock each special edition volume as they are released.
Blackwing - Volume 223 Woody Gunthrie (Box of 12)
$28.00 USD
This Land is your Land. The Blackwing 223 is a tribute to Woody Guthrie and his immutable optimism. Each pencil features a design inspired by This Land’s “ribbon of highway,”...
Blackwing - Two-Step Long Point Sharpener
$4.25 USD
The Two-Step Long Point Sharpener creates a long point using a two-step sharpening process, first sharpening the wood and then precision sharpening the graphite core. It features a matte rubberized finish for...
Blackwing - One-Step Long Point Sharpener
$10.25 USD
– Sold OutThe body is made of durable machined aluminum and the sharpening unit features a German steel blade. The canister can hold three fresh sharpens before needing to be emptied.
Blackwing - Replacement Erasers
$2.95 USD
Blackwing Replacement erasers come in packs of 10
Blackwing - Volume 840 California Coast (Box of 12)
$28.00 USD
Surfing arrived on the coast of northern California in 1907, but was not popularized until Duke Kahanamoku arrived decades later. This Blackwing is a tribute to California's 840 mile coastline...
Blackwing - Natural (Box of 12)
$25.50 USD
Blackwing Natural features an exposed incense-cedar barrel Clear matte finish with gold imprint Iconic square ferrule and grey eraser Extra-firm graphite Comes in a box of 12 that doubles as...
Blackwing - Pearl (Box of 12)
$28.00 USD
Blackwing Pearl features a balanced and smooth writing that is softer than the 602 but firmer than the graphite found in the Matte Blackwing. Pearl white finish with gold imprint...
Blackwing - Matte (Box of 12)
$25.50 USD
For anyone who prefers a soft, dark line, the Blackwing Matte is the softest of the four core Blackwing models. Matte black finish Iconic square ferrule and black erasure Soft...
Blackwing - 602 (Box of 12)
$25.50 USD
Blackwing 602 features a firm and smooth graphite. Gunmetal grey finish Iconic square ferrule with pink eraser Firm graphite Comes in a box of 12 that doubles as a...
Blackwing - Volume 3 Ravi Shankar (Box of 12)
$27.95 USD
A tribute to the Godfather of World Music The Blackwing 3 is a tribute to Ravi Shankar on his 100th birthday. George Harrison met Ravi Shankar in Bath, England, 1966....