It me!
John West had me on his show for a great conversation about ice cream, sneakers, art, music … and maybe a pen topic or two. It was great fun - thanks for having me John!
Blackwing Eras Pencil Review
This is the one.
Over the past decade, Blackwing has turned a pencil revival into a lifestyle, and I’m happy to say that they have played a large role in my newfound appreciation of wooden pencils.
The Blackwing 602 was my first love. It was built to represent the style of the original Blackwings from the mid-1900’s, with its metallic grey barrel, smooth, dark, and firm core, gold ferrule, and pink eraser. If they stopped there, I would have been a happy pencil fan. I’m glad they didn’t.
The introduction of the Blackwing Volumes series introduced me to different graphite core grades, and different barrel colors, designs, and features. Many of these individual editions usurped my love of the 602 - Volume 56 and 16.2 for starters - but it remained my most used Blackwing.
Then the extra-firm cores arrived.
Blackwing teased this core several times throughout the years in Volumes releases, finally making it a permanent part of the standard lineup in the Natural. While I appreciate it’s clean, raw look, I prefer painted barrels, and not even the superior-for-me core could tempt me.
That all changed with the release of the Blackwing Eras. Not only did the style intrigue me more than the classic 602, it uses the extra-firm core. This homage to the past is my version of the canonical Blackwing, taking that title away from the 602.
The dark grey barrel, gold stamping, grey ferrule, gold ferrule stripe, and red eraser were inspired by some of the earliest Blackwings. All of this, combined with the best Blackwing core, make it the one Blackwing I reach for over all of the rest. Even some of my favorite Volumes editions.
My one complaint - and using that word is a stretch - is that this is a limited edition. To me, the execution of this pencil, and the story behind it, are so good that if I were Blackwing, I would want to hang my hat on it as a regular offering for years to come. But then again, having it disappear into the pencil shavings bin of life gives them the opportunity to delight me again with a future release.
After writing a full page, left, vs. freshly sharpened.
Until then, I’ll be happily using my Eras down to the nub.
The Blackwing Eras are still available online at Vanness Pens for $29.95 per dozen. Expensive? Yes. But they do not disappoint in the slightest.
(Vanness Pens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)
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Misfill, Poorly Drawn Lines Edition
Each week in Refill, the Pen Addict Members newsletter, I publish Ink Links as part of the additional content you receive for being a member. And each week, after 10 to 15 links, plus my added commentary on each, I'm left with many great items I want to share. Enter Misfill. Here are this weeks links:
— Poorly Drawn Lines (Instagram)
— Parker 51 “2020”: An aborted launch and several questions (El Pajarete Orquidiado)
— Fountain Pen Quest Trail Log – November 1, 2020 (Fountain Pen Quest)
— Re-reviewing Loft Pens: how does v2 stack up? (UK fountain pens)
— Van Dieman’s Diamonds are a Girl’s BFF on Midori MD (Inkcredible Colours)
— Flow (From the Pen Cup)
— Sailor 1911 Compass: A True Entry Level Contender? (The Gentleman Stationer)
— The new year diary, 2021. (Fountain pen blog)
— Classic Pens’ Collision With Pelikan: A Look At The CP6 Goethe Pens (The Pelikan's Perch)
— Ink Overview: Taccia Ukiyo-e Kitagawa Utamaro inks (Aomurasaki, Benizakura, Ume Murasake, and Usuzumi) (Macchiato Man)
— Why I Love Leuchtturm (Chicana Writes)
— Urban Sketchers Tel Aviv: Dubnov Garden (Writing at Large)
— Sailor Pro Gear Cocktail Kure Azur Fountain Pen (Gourmet Pens)
— Ulysses Mini-Masterclass (Video Replay) (The Sweet Setup)
— Craft Through This: Why Getting Together Online to Make Stuff Matters (Hyperallergic)
— Pininfarina's 50-Year-Old Modulo Design Still Looks Like the Car of the Future (Core77)
— The Japanese Traditions of Sashiko & Boro: The Centuries-Old Craft That Mends Clothes in a Sustainable, Artistic Way (Open Culture)
— Alternative Ink Tools: Hits & Misses (The Well-Appointed Desk)
— The supreme pencil you want to use because it's the digital generation! Black wing lineup and attractive accessories (Hoshii Monoga = Alice Gil)
— Pen Case Review: Esterbrook Nook V2 (The Pencilcase Blog)
— The Craft of Writing Effectively: Essential Lessons from the Longtime Director of UChicago's Writing Program (Open Culture)
— Interview: Wayne Coyne On Drugs And The Flaming Lips' New Album, 'American Head' (All Songs Considered)
— Autumn Inks (An Inkophile's Blog)
— Ink Review #1287: Papier Plume Caramel (Mountain of Ink)
— The Pocket Pen Roundup! (Inkdependence!)
— XXF and Finer Grinds by Gena with Custom Nib Studio! (Edison Pen Co.)
— Pencil Revolution Issues #3 and #4 Are Out! (Pencil Revolution!)
— Leonardo Officina Italiana Furore Grande Smeraldo Review (SBREBrown)
— Copic Multiliner vs. Sakura Pigma Micron (No Pen Intended)
— Map Portraits by Ed Fairburn (Kottke)
Want to catch the rest, plus extra articles, reviews, commentary, discounts, and more? Try out a Pen Addict Membership for only $5 per month!
