With the launch of Volume 2, Blackwing introduced an Extra Extra Firm graphite core to their product range. As a fan of all things firm, I was anxious to put this one to the test, and compare this core to the rest of their product lineup.
That lineup now consists of:
— Soft (Matte Black barrel)
— Balanced (Pearl)
— Firm (602)
— Extra Firm (Natural)
— 2X Firm (Volume 2)
Core grades, from top to bottom: Soft, Balanced, Firm, Extra Firm, 2X Firm.
The first four are available as stand-alone products outside of the limited Edition Volumes series, while - at least so far - the 2X Firm is only available in Volume 2, and not the standard offerings.
With the relaunch of the brand in 2010, the 602 took its place as the firmest in the lineup, and was instantly my favorite. In the case of the 602, “Firm” is relative to the rest of the lineup. It is dark and smooth, and has great point retention for a pencil that feels this great on the page. That said, I’d be surprised if it grades out firmer than a 2B, or maybe a B.
Given the 602’s softness as compared to graphite outside of the Blackwing lineup, the introduction of an Extra Firm core in Volume 24 (2016) was well-received. As much as I love the 602, I found my Blackwing home with the Extra Firm. This core found its way into more Volumes editions, and eventually into the stock lineup.
The 2X Firm core takes things up the hardness scale even further … and is my least favorite core they have launched so far.
Blackwing has set my expectations very high for their choice of graphite. From Soft through Extra Firm, the experience is consistently smooth and dark, and with above average point retention. I actually feel a difference when I use a Blackwing, as compared to many other brands in similar grades. The 2X Firm core feels like any other decent HB core. That’s not bad in a vacuum, but given Blackwing’s prices, I want it to feel special. It looks special on the outside, I’ll give them that, but on the inside, it’s average. I can get above average for much cheaper.
My current Blackwing Core ranking looks something like this: Extra Firm, 602, Soft, Balanced, 2X Firm. I’m not sure the 2X Firm even has a place in my wooden pencil rotation like the rest of the lineup does.
Freshly sharpened.
After writing a full page (see below,) without sharpening.
I guess the broader question for Blackwing is what are their long-term core goals? Are we eventually going to see the full stock lineup of someone like Mitsubishi or Staedtler, with ranges from 10H to 10B? Or will they stick with what they do best, and see them experiment with cores in the Volumes series? I’m glad they surprised us with the 2X Firm core, and even though it is my least favorite, this is the perfect opportunity for a test run.
What are your thoughts on the new core if you have tried it? Which end of the spectrum - softer, or harder - would you like to see them experiment with next?
(Vanness Pens provided this product at a discount to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)
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