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Blackwing Matte Pencils - 12 Count

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Color: Black

Brand	Blackwing
Writing Instrument Form	Graphite Pencil
Color	Black
Ink Color	Black
Age Range (Description)	Adult

About this item

PENCILS WITH HERITAGE – First created in the 1930’s, Blackwing built a cult following that included John Steinbeck and Chuck Jones, who proudly used Blackwings to create Bugs Bunny and many other Looney Tunes characters.
PERFECT FOR ARTISTS AND MUSICIANS – With our soft and smooth Japanese graphite core, Blackwing Matte pencils are perfect for writers, musicians, and everyday users. Use when you want a soft, dark line without excessive sharpening. The softest of our four core Blackwing models.
UNIQUE ICONIC DESIGN – Blackwing’s unique and iconic rectangular erasers are synonymous with quality. Each of our pencils also features a specially designed ferrule, allowing you to extend or replace the eraser.
COMMITMENT TO QUALITY – Blackwing pencils are made with the finest materials in the world, including Genuine Incense-cedar from California and premium Japanese graphite.
HOW WE GIVE BACK – A portion of the sales from all Blackwing products benefit the Blackwing Foundation and its mission to keep arts and music programs in public schools.

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Product Description

What Makes Blackwing Pencils Special?

See what sets our pencils apart.

	Blackwing Matte	Blackwing Pearl	Blackwing 602	Blackwing Natural
	Buying Options
Customer Reviews	1,953	3,521	3,521	3,521
Price	— no data	$35.00	$35.00	$35.00
Genuine California Incense-Cedar	✓	✓	✓	✓
12 Pencils per Box	✓	✓	✓	✓
Graphite Type	Soft (Similar to 4B)	Balanced (Similar to 3B)	Firm (Similar to B)	Extra-Firm (Similar to HB)
Barrel Finish	Black	Pearlescent White	Gunmetal Grey	Clear Matte
Replaceable Eraser	✓	✓	✓	✓
Eraser Color	Black	White	Pink	Grey
Gold Imprint	✓	✓	✓	✓
Ferrule	Gold	Gold	Gold	Gold
Recommended For	Drawing & Art. Lays a smooth dark line.	Journaling, Music Notation & Calligraphy. Mixture of our Soft and Firm Graphite.	Writing & Sketching. Half the Pressure, Twice the Speed.	Note-Taking & Technical Drawing. Best Point Retention.

HIGH-QUALITY TOOLS TO HELP YOU SLOW DOWN

HIGH-QUALITY MATERIALS & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Only Blackwing pencils combine the graphite in the world, the best wood in the world, and generations of craftsmanship to create an exceptional pencil.

SUSTAINABILITY & RENEWABILITY

Blackwing pencils are made with high-quality Incense-cedar that only grows in the forests of northern California and southern Oregon. It is strictly regulated and sustainability harvested, unlike the rainforest and other unsustainable woods used in other pencils.

EVERY PURCHASE GIVES BACK

A portion of the sales from all Blackwing products benefits the Blackwing Foundation, which funds and develops life-changing arts and music education programs at the K-12 level.

PENCILS WITH A STORY

Blackwing 602 pencils were first introduced in the 1930s. Their superior quality and distinct look made them the pencil of choice for Pulitzer, Grammy, and Academy award-winning creators from Chuck Jones to John Steinbeck and Stephen Sondheim throughout the 20th century. The Blackwing went from a pencil to an icon. Then suddenly in the 1990s, after corporate jostling, they completely vanished.

In 2010, we tapped into over 100 years of family-run pencil-making experience to reintroduce Blackwing pencils to a new generation of writers, artists, and makers. We scoured the planet to find the best raw materials, designers, and craftspeople to create the best possible pencil. Since its return, Blackwing has transformed from a single pencil into a movement.

We create thoughtfully designed products to spark inspiration, get back in touch with your senses, and find balance in your day-to-day. Your time is precious and we want to help you create beautiful moments that will last because we know that life is just that much sweeter when we slow down. Our mission is to empower everyone with the tools and education to express their creativity even at an early age. A portion of every Blackwing purchase goes towards funding life-changing arts and music programs in public schools.

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	This Item Blackwing Matte Pencils - 12 Count	Recommendations Blackwing Pencil 651 HB, 12 Count, Limited-Edition Pencil Set, Black & Yellow	Blackwing Volume 192 Pencils (Set of 12)	Blackwing Volume 7 Pencils, 12, Count, Limited-Edition Pencils, Animation Inspired Design, Incense-cedar Wood, Premium Japanese Graphite	Blackwing Volume 55 Pencils, 12 Count, Limited-Edition, Unique Fibonacci Inspired Design, Incense-cedar Wood, Premium Japanese Graphite	Blackwing Palomino 602-12 Count Pencils with Heritage, Gray, Unisex
	Buying options	Try again! Details Added to Cart spCSRF_Treatment	Try again! Details Added to Cart spCSRF_Treatment	Try again! Details Added to Cart spCSRF_Treatment	Try again! Details Added to Cart spCSRF_Treatment	Try again! Details Added to Cart spCSRF_Treatment
Price	—	$35.00	$40.79	$35.00	$40.79	$35.00
Delivery	—	Get it as soon as Monday, May 19	—	Get it as soon as Monday, May 19	—	Get it as soon as Monday, May 19
Customer Ratings	4.81,953	4.432	4.523	4.548	4.728	4.73,521
Sold By	—	Palomino Blackwing	California Fine Arts Alliance	Palomino Blackwing	California Fine Arts Alliance	Palomino Blackwing
point type	Bold	Extra Fine	Chisel	Rectangular	Rectangular	Rectangular
material	Blackwing	—	Wood, Graphite	Wood	Wood, Graphite	Incense-Cedar Wood
closure type	Twist	Twist	—	—	—	Click-Off Cap

From the brand

Explore Blackwing Pencils

Visit the Store
Explore Blackwing Accessories

Visit the Store
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.

Product information

Technical Details

Manufacturer	‎Blackwing
Brand	‎Blackwing
Item Weight	‎4.4 ounces
Product Dimensions	‎8.13 x 1.63 x 1.63 inches
Item model number	‎105329
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer	‎No
Color	‎Black
Closure	‎Twist
Grip Type	‎Rectangular
Pencil Lead Degree (Hardness)	‎Soft Graphite
Material Type	‎Blackwing
Number of Items	‎500
Size	‎12 Count (Pack of 1)
Point Type	‎Bold
Line Size	‎0.9
Ink Color	‎Black
Manufacturer Part Number	‎105329

Additional Information

ASIN	B006CQWILK
Customer Reviews	1,953 ratings 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best Sellers Rank	#9,934 in Office Products (See Top 100 in Office Products) #58 in Woodcase Lead Pencils
Date First Available	October 23, 2011

Warranty & Support

Amazon.com Return Policy:Amazon.com Voluntary 30-Day Return Guarantee: You can return many items you have purchased within 30 days following delivery of the item to you. Our Voluntary 30-Day Return Guarantee does not affect your legal right of withdrawal in any way. You can find out more about the exceptions and conditions here.

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What's in the box

Eraser

Customer reviews

1,953 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find these pencils excellent for marking music and appreciate their smooth, soft lead that makes writing and drawing effortless. Customers praise the replaceable eraser, with one noting it removes markings without damaging paper, and the dark lines they produce. Customers describe the pencils as beautifully designed, with one mentioning their nicely balanced construction and hand-feel, and consider them worth the price.

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Pencil quality Softness Value for money Writing quality Eraser quality Quality Dark writing Style

194 customers mention "Pencil quality"194 positive0 negative

Customers praise these pencils for their quality, particularly noting their effectiveness for sketching, marking music, and working up bids.

"...Delivery was much sooner than expected. Colleagues rave about a great pencil, now I know why and this seller has my support." Read more

"I'm an art teacher and these are wonderful pencils for people who use pencils. This makes a wonderful, specialized gift." Read more

"This is a delightful pencil to use for writing and drawing, and one of my more frequent go-to pencils for bold, dark marks...." Read more

"...This pencil is amazing...." Read more

158 customers mention "Softness"134 positive24 negative

Customers appreciate the pencil's softness, describing it as smooth and feeling great in hand, with one customer noting its rich density.

"...The wood and core grind smoothly. Better yet, use a manual sharpener - you’ll enjoy doing it and your pencils won’t disappear in the sharpener...." Read more

"...-- and they lay a clean line when used point down and smooth layer when used point sideways. What I like:..." Read more

"...The matte finish is very comfortable in the hand, and is one of the things that makes this pencil superior to the glossy 602...." Read more

"...They flow like butter, super smooth. Rich and dark...." Read more

137 customers mention "Value for money"98 positive39 negative

Customers find these pencils to be worth the price, noting they are expensive but amazing, and one customer mentions they are not wasteful.

"...These are great. Fun to use. Fit in a standard pencil sharpener. The wider eraser at the end provides great coverage for quicker erasing...." Read more

"...Worth the money if you’re serious about your craft." Read more

"...Great product, Very good Service. Eraser doesn't smudge. A bit pricy, but a very enjoyable experience if you like to work with pencils!" Read more

"...I now buy them for my writer husband. They flow on the page and are a joy to use. Highly recommend!" Read more

136 customers mention "Writing quality"129 positive7 negative

Customers praise these pencils for their smooth, effortless writing and drawing experience.

"...The lines are crisp and smooth. This is one easy pencil to use." Read more

"...just received them today, got one sharpened, and it is such a pleasure to write with, you just want to sit down and draw and write with it...." Read more

"Any artist can appreciate the value of this creative instrument. I love to draw. Delivery was much sooner than expected...." Read more

"...Great for drawing or for making quick notes. However, since the lead is very soft, it runs down quickly and needs frequent sharpening...." Read more

97 customers mention "Eraser quality"74 positive23 negative

Customers appreciate the eraser quality of these pencils, particularly noting its replaceable design and ease of use, with one customer mentioning it performs well without damaging the paper.

"...The wider eraser at the end provides great coverage for quicker erasing. Be careful not to grind them away in your electric pencil sharpener...." Read more

"...The included erasers are decent, although gritty, but they will not completely remove what you want to erase...." Read more

"...They flow like butter, super smooth. Rich and dark. Even the eraser is well thought out and they’re replaceable if you use it up before the lead is..." Read more

"...I will say these are not perfect, however. The eraser is incredibly useless with this darker lead because it will never fully erase it...." Read more

87 customers mention "Quality"74 positive13 negative

Customers praise the pencils' quality, noting they arrive in perfect condition and are lasting, with one customer highlighting their nicely balanced construction and hand-feel.

"...Gorgeous and solid box. Wish I could figure out some useful purpose for it rather than condemning it to the recycled cardboard bin." Read more

"I really like the quality of these pencils, they are very dark and easy to work with. Easy to hold, I can make dark and lighter marks with ease...." Read more

"...I use it for most of my other sketching projects, as well. They last a long time unless you are drawing a lot every day!..." Read more

"...It lays a fantastic line and holds a point very well. It has a good barrel and feels comfortable in the hand...." Read more

86 customers mention "Dark writing"79 positive7 negative

Customers appreciate how dark these pencils write, noting that they produce a great level of black on paper.

"...soft, so it wears faster than "normal" pencils, and makes a dark mark...." Read more

"I really like the quality of these pencils, they are very dark and easy to work with. Easy to hold, I can make dark and lighter marks with ease...." Read more

"...These produce the best finish. They're dark -- I think about a 4B -- and they lay a clean line when used point down and smooth layer when used..." Read more

"...They flow like butter, super smooth. Rich and dark...." Read more

76 customers mention "Style"76 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pencils' style, describing them as beautiful and perfectly designed, with beautiful lines and a nicer finish.

"...Gorgeous and solid box. Wish I could figure out some useful purpose for it rather than condemning it to the recycled cardboard bin." Read more

"...It blends very easily and leaves a lovely finish. It's a good-looking pencil. What I don't like:..." Read more

"...Finish: the paint is thick and luscious looking, but with just enough matte feeling to it to provide a good grip, even with a steep angle to the..." Read more

"...They're so stylish and write ever so smoothly, but those virtues are outweighed by the singular defect shared by all fountain pens: they dry out,..." Read more

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Mary Alice
Asthetically appealing and practical pencil.
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2024
Color: BlackVerified Purchase

Do you like to really see what you wrote, not have some grayish ghost of pencil lines? These are great. Fun to use. Fit in a standard pencil sharpener. The wider eraser at the end provides great coverage for quicker erasing. Be careful not to grind them away in your electric pencil sharpener. The wood and core grind smoothly. Better yet, use a manual sharpener - you’ll enjoy doing it and your pencils won’t disappear in the sharpener. Gorgeous and solid box. Wish I could figure out some useful purpose for it rather than condemning it to the recycled cardboard bin.

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4 people found this helpful

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BotMan
Nice pencils, great graphite
Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2015
Color: BlackVerified Purchase
I've never been a pencil aficionado, finding that over time, graphite eventually streaks and smears all over the paper it's used on. These do the same, it's the nature of graphite.

That being said, I heard about the Faber Blackwing, it's discontinuation, and how obsessed people were with it (selling for *stupid amounts of money* on eBay). Then I saw these Palomino Blackwing pencils, and heard they were supposed to be fairly close to the original. I figured I'd try them out, and see what all the fuss was about.

While there's no rubberized coating to assist handling or comfort in grip, the graphite is one of the best I've ever used. It's super soft, so it wears faster than "normal" pencils, and makes a dark mark. The eraser is one of the vinyl type which won't damage your paper, unlike the (usually pink) rubber ones found on most pencils.

The only criticism I can find with the pencils is with the eraser holder, or ferrule, in that while the eraser can be replaced completely, I believe they're intended also to be advanced in the holder to make more use of the piece before being replaced. The little metal strap that clips into the unique ferrule is smooth against the eraser, so if you advance the eraser it will just slide back in to the original position. I fixed this by driving a tiny sharp awl into the clip, creating a sharp hook on the inside, digging into the eraser. Now it holds no matter how I fix the eraser into the clip.

Keeping a point on one of these will require constant maintenance. The graphite is extremely soft -- apparently the softest in the Blackwing family of pencils. There are other graphite hardness levels available. I have some Blackwing 602s arriving soon that are made of harder graphite that I'm looking forward to trying. I've also just found out about the Blackwing Pearl which is supposed to fall in between these two.

I suppose artists will find these more useful than I do, but I do enjoy writing with them, and actually enjoy writing my usual task lists and project notes.

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9 people found this helpful

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V
Great performance
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2025
Color: BlackVerified Purchase
I really like the quality of these pencils, they are very dark and easy to work with. Easy to hold, I can make dark and lighter marks with ease. The lines are crisp and smooth. This is one easy pencil to use.

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One person found this helpful

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Jane Perkins
The perfect pencil
Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2025
Color: BlackVerified Purchase
I love these pencils, they require very little pressure when you use them and the eraser shape is way better than a round one. This is my second box I’ve purchased. Weird story - I’m living in Germany for a while and they have these pencils on the Amazon.de website and they cost $90/box! Good thing I can order them from the states because I do not want to do without them, they are that good.

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Suzanne L
Great all-purpose sketching/ drawing pencil
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2025
Color: BlackVerified Purchase
These are amazing! I didn't know that ONE pencil could go from black, BLACK to very light. It is now my one pencil that I carry with me for all plein air painting excursions to do my value studies before I paint. I no longer have to carry multiple. I use it for most of my other sketching projects, as well. They last a long time unless you are drawing a lot every day! They are a bit pricy, but it's been a year and a half, and I haven't even used half the box!

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Ivy Reisner
A true luxury drawing pencil
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2017
Color: BlackVerified Purchase
I blend a lot when I draw. It's more like laying some graphite then painting with the tortillon. These produce the best finish. They're dark -- I think about a 4B -- and they lay a clean line when used point down and smooth layer when used point sideways.

What I like:
The eraser is long -- 7/8 inch -- and you can extend it and even replace it at need.
It lays a fantastic line and holds a point very well.
It has a good barrel and feels comfortable in the hand.
It has a faceted barrel and won't roll off the table (I am tired of chasing after runaway pastel pencils).
It blends very easily and leaves a lovely finish.
It's a good-looking pencil.

What I don't like:
You can't use it in a pencil extender because of the odd shape at the eraser end.
You can't put a cap eraser on it.

This is, for most folk, a drawing pencil not a writing pencil. If you use it to write, it will likely smear. It's supposed to (or rather it's supposed to blend easily, but to the pencil they're the same thing). The Blackwing Pearl or Blackwing 602 is a better writing pencil, and of the two I'd suggest the 602.

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Top reviews from other countries

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Cliente Amazon
Fantásticos lápices!
Reviewed in Spain on November 23, 2022
Color: BlackVerified Purchase

Los mejores lápices que he usado nunca

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Mr. Clark Gillies
Beautiful elegant pencils
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 17, 2023
Color: BlackVerified Purchase
First thing, yes these pencils are very pricey, but the quality is just amazing.

Plenty in a box and I carry one around with me all the time now as they are elegant and really high quality.

Would recommend if you can find at a good price.

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Diane
Beautiful pencils
Reviewed in Australia on February 8, 2025
Color: BlackVerified Purchase
I purchased these pencils after watching Karen Campbell on you tube using them, and they are brilliant, very happy with my purchase.

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ミミ
.
Reviewed in Japan on May 1, 2025
Color: BlackVerified Purchase
書き込みが滑らかです~

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Farnfield
Expensive but worth it
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 10, 2024
Color: BlackVerified Purchase
These are the best you can get for an easy to use pencil that produces clear dark lines and is pleasant to use. They tick all the boxes literally and metaphorically.
Cost a lot but worth it. Great gift for those who like crosswords etc

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Blackwing Matte Pencils - 12 Count

About this item

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Frequently purchased items with fast delivery

Product Description

What Makes Blackwing Pencils Special?

See what sets our pencils apart.

HIGH-QUALITY TOOLS TO HELP YOU SLOW DOWN

HIGH-QUALITY MATERIALS & CRAFTSMANSHIP

SUSTAINABILITY & RENEWABILITY

EVERY PURCHASE GIVES BACK

PENCILS WITH A STORY

Compare with similar items

From the brand

Explore Blackwing Pencils

Explore Blackwing Accessories

What makes our products unique?

How did we get our start?

Product information

Technical Details

Additional Information

Warranty & Support

Feedback

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If you want a dark mark for writing

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.

5.0 out of 5 stars Asthetically appealing and practical pencil.

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice pencils, great graphite

5.0 out of 5 stars Great performance

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect pencil

5.0 out of 5 stars Great all-purpose sketching/ drawing pencil

5.0 out of 5 stars A true luxury drawing pencil

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantásticos lápices!

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful elegant pencils

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful pencils

5.0 out of 5 stars .

5.0 out of 5 stars Expensive but worth it

Asthetically appealing and practical pencil.

Nice pencils, great graphite

Great performance

The perfect pencil

Great all-purpose sketching/ drawing pencil

A true luxury drawing pencil

Fantásticos lápices!

Beautiful elegant pencils

Beautiful pencils

.

Expensive but worth it