This has been a post I’ve been planning for a long time. I wanted to compare and test all seven of the Blackwing Editions that have been released thus far against one another. The rub was that I didn’t start my subscription until the second edition, No. 1138. So, thankfully, a kind knitter on Ravelry sent me a brand new No. 725 in order to complete the collection. Then I destroyed it by sharpening it for the test. So, here we go.
I sharpened a fresh Blackwing from each edition to start the test, even if I had one I’d been using to make everything consistent. I used the same sharpener — a brand new Stabilo Swan, mostly because it has a good German blade and its gorgeous. Thanks to Wonderfair in Lawrence, KS for stocking such a cool sharpener! The photos are each of the pencils sharepened, in the order they were released: No, 725 (Sunburst/Newport), No. 211 (John Muir), No. 1138 (Mélîes), No. 24 (Steinbeck), No. 56 (DiMaggio), No. 344 (Dorothea Lange), and No. 530 (Gold Rush).
The No. 56 makes my favorite shavings!
The No. 530 looks amazing and its really golden next to its perfect curl of shavings.
I went through each of the Blackwing Editions and noted the descriptions listed on the Blackwing 602 site regarding the type of graphite used in the edition to help establish if I could tell a notable difference in the performance of each pencil.
The No. 1138 is the only edition listed with the soft graphite and was definitely the darkest lead. Alternately, the first edition released, the No. 725 was the only one with the “balanced graphite” core. All the rest of the editions have used either the firm or extra firm core.
While both the No. 530 and the No. 24 list the “extra firm” graphite, I think the No. 24 graphite seems a bit firmer but it could just be me.
Regarding overall finishes on the pencils, I like the look of the No. 56 ($25 per dozen) the best. I just love those stripes. But the No. 530 ($25 per dozen) metallic gold is quickly moving up the ranks. In a blindfold test though, the pencil that felt best in my hands was the No. 24. The finish of the the Steinbeck is one of the best I’ve ever felt. The lacquer on it is impeccable. Unfortunately, the Steinbeck No.24 is almost impossible to find anymore. The red metallic ferrule on the No. 344 ($25 per dozen) is so cool. It also looks good if you switch out the eraser with a different color though to be honest, none of the stock Palomino erasers work all that well. Your best bet is to use a stand alone eraser if you are inclined to erase. Check out my eraser reviews for my best recommendations.
To give some perspective about the various graphite firmnesses used in the Editions, the firm graphite is the same as what is used in the Blackwing 602. While the “balanced graphite” is the same as the Blackwing Pearl. The “soft graphite” is the same as the original Palomino Blackwing which is colloquially known as the Blacking MMX. As for the “extra firm”, this is a new design as far as I understand it only available through the Editions.
So, to give you a wrap up of how the Editions shake out thus far, there have been one MMX edition, one Pearl edition, three 602 editions and two “extra firm” editions. So, what do you think the release in March 2017 might be? Will Palomino go back to one of their classics like the MMX or Pearl cores or will they try something totally new?
Nice roundup!
They switched erasers for the 344…they’re now dust-free and way better than the previous ones. That being said, I’m not certain if the replacement colors still in the market are the new style or the old.
Great to see these all reviewed together! Although I don’t have all the Volumes editions, I have tried at least one of each of the various cores, and my all-time favorite for both writing and sketching is the “soft.” I think the “soft” core is under-represented, so I am putting my money on that one for the next Volumes. And looking at them all together in your photos, I’d say green is also under- (non-) represented — the next one should definitely be green.
I wish I could buy these as singles rather than by the boxfull. I’ve always fancied trying a Blackwing! 🙂
Check the Blackwing and Erasable fan groups on Facebook. There may be someone who would be willing to send you one pencil or know of a shop that sells them individually. I’m wracking my brain but can’t think of any shops that sell them individually.
For individual Blackwing pencils try here
https://cwpencils.com
They are about $2.50 a pencil.
There are a few shops in the UK which sell some Blackwings individually. The Tottenham Court Road (London) branch of Paperchase, Fred Aldous in Manchester have the Volumes editions occasionally. May not be hugely useful if you guys are in the US.
Nice comparison. Would love it if you did an update including the new Volumes and the Natural addition to their lineup.
Hi there,
Bout to dive in and subscribe to volumes. When does Black wing usually release the q3 volume for the year?
Thanks!
The Ravi Shankar was just released about a month ago so I think you are safe to subscribe now and get the third quarter subscription offering.