Blackwing Natural Extra Firm Pencil Review

(Jeff Abbott is a regular contributor at The Pen Addict. You can find more from Jeff online at Draft Evolution and Twitter.)

It's been quite a while since I've bought new Blackwing pencils (mine still have the Palomino branding), and I've definitely missed out on the newer extra firm core. With the Blackwing Natural, I finally get to try out this more balanced graphite with a lovely natural casing.

Before we get started, here's a refresher on the Blackwing line-up and their graphite/lead grading system.

• Blackwing Soft (similar to 3B or 4B) - found in the Matte
• Blackwing Balanced (close to 2B) - found in the Pearl
• Blackwing Firm (feels like a B to me) - found in the 602
• Blackwing Extra Firm (close to HB) - found in the Natural

Blackwing pencils are known for their smooth and dark graphite cores, but I'm sure I'm not alone in being a little annoyed at their refusal to use the standard graphite grading system. It exists, and it works! Anyway, since Blackwing pencils normally run on the softer/darker side, I was excited to try this lighter, firmer core found in the Natural.

To me, the extra firm core is similar to an HB, but just a smidge darker. It's really hard to directly compare it since different pencil brands are slightly different in terms of how they categorize their graphite hardness levels.

I'm really partial to Mitsubishi Hi-Uni and 9000 pencils, and I've been really happy with how the Blackwings compares to them. They all feel different and unique, and the Natural is a really pleasant pencil to use. The tip stays sharp for a normal amount of writing, but the line is a bit smoother and darker than other HB pencils. It's a perfect middle ground for me in terms of a great general writing pencil. I love a super dark and soft pencil, but they just need to be resharpened so quickly. And on the other hand, really hard pencils don't put down a satisfyingly dark line when writing. Finding a great compromise in the middle is a great discovery for those general writing tasks.

The Natural features a cedar casing with an indiscernible amount of finish on the outside. It looks (and smells) like a raw, unfinished pencil, and the gold lettering and ferrule matched up with a gray eraser contribute to the chill aesthetic.

Ever thought that the softer, darker Blackwing cores are a bit too soft or dark for regular writing? The extra firm core is a fantastic option for the middle-ground HB hardness wrapped up in a classy cedar package. You can pick up your own pack of Blackwing Naturals for $27, or you can grab a single pencil for $2.50 to see if it works for you or not. Happy to add this extra firm core to my rotation of Blackwing pencils!

(Vanness Pens provided this product at a discount to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Blackwing Pencil Extender Review

I love Blackwing Pencils. Blackwing accessories? Well, that’s a different story, with varying outcomes.

When Blackwing first launched their paper lineup, via various notebook styles, they were well received. They did a great job with the release, and I even found them to be fountain pen friendly. They continued to update formats and styles, and have remained excellent over time. I’m not sure how many other Blackwing accessories I can say that about-especially on the first iteration of products.

The Blackwing Point Guard was my first odd experience with a new Blackwing design. The concept is great, as I already used various pencil tip protectors, but this one was was sized oddly at launch. More specifically, some of the Point Guards didn’t fit on Blackwing Pencils. They were too tight to use. Blackwing quickly corrected the issue and made it right, but I filed that information away in the back of my brain.

I would need that info on the launch of the Blackwing One-Step Long Point Sharpener. I had heard there were blade issues on launch, which caused poor pencil sharpening, so I waited a bit for that to shake out. Apparently, I didn’t wait long enough, as I got one of the bad ones. Once again, Blackwing made it right by providing replacement blades, and now the sharpener works as intended.

To first mention the focus of this review-the Blackwing Pencil Extender-at this point probably makes you think there is another technical flaw with this product. There isn’t. But what compelled me to buy this product in the first place is how ugly it is. There is no sense in sugar coating my thoughts on that aspect. But is it a good product, despite my thoughts on the physical design? Let’s find out.

The goal of any pencil extender is literal in two senses: to extend the life of a well-used, and now short, pencil by extending the usable length of the pencil in your hand. If you have a product you love, you want to squeeze every last bit out of it, right? You wouldn’t toss out your favorite ink with 25% of the liquid left in the bottle, would you? No! You would grab a syringe and drink up all the ink until there was none left.

Blackwing pencils give me the same feeling. They are some of my favorites, and I want to use up every centimeter I can. Pencil extenders can help with that. They aren’t a new product, but most are built for pencils with a traditional round ferrule. Circular diameter extenders, like the simple Peanpole from E+M, slide over most traditionally-sized ferrules. The standout design element of Blackwing pencils, the rectangular ferrule, prevents this type of extender from being used. You can remove the Blackwing ferrule if you have a favorite traditional extender, if you like.

To solve a problem of their own making, Blackwing engineered an inelegant solution. To use the Blackwing Pencil Extender, you remove the existing eraser inside the existing ferrule, slide the rubber end of the extender into the now-open ferrule, and toss the eraser into the bin. There is nowhere else to put it. Nor should there be-traditional extenders cover the eraser as well.

Overall, it … works?

I mean, it does. If I’m sitting in that design meeting at Blackwing HQ, I’m thinking yeah, this is great. Ship it! But in the broader scope of their usually sleek and refined lineup, it stands out to someone like me who obsesses over this type of minutia. I can use it, but I can’t unsee it.

So Mr. Pen Addict Opinionated Design Guy, how would you fix this? I wouldn’t. Not every problem needs a solution. Blackwing designed the most iconic pencil on the market. Just like I can spot a Lamy wire pen clip from a mile away, the rectangular Blackwing ferrule is a timeless design. The Blackwing Pencil Extender breaks line of sight on that most important design element. The Extender exists to solve a 10% problem, not a 90% problem, which is an area rarely worth designing for.

Wooden pencils are beautiful because of their disposable nature. Grab one, sharpen it, use it, sharpen it, and so on, right until it is too short to hold in your hand. What now? Who doesn’t love pulling out a fresh, unsharpened pencil from the box? I promise that last inch of pencil won’t hold it against you for throwing it away.

The Blackwing Pencil Extender is a Superfan choice, not a universal one. If you are invested in the Blackwing ecosystem, then $10 is nothing in that context. I’m going to keep mine around, but I’m going to paint it, or sticker it, to at least make it more fun. Maybe that’s the key to unlock the joy of this product.

Now, where is my silver paint pen?

(I bought this product from Yoseka Stationery at regular retail price for review purposes.)

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Enjoy reading The Pen Addict? Then consider becoming a member to receive additional weekly content, giveaways, and discounts in The Pen Addict shop. Plus, you support me and the site directly, for which I am very grateful.

Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. To find out more about membership click here and join us!

Blackwing Volumes Vol. 64 Pencils Pack of 12 Giveaway

The latest release from Blackwing, Vol. 64, features colorful halftone patterns in reference to the art of comic books. It looks fantastic, and features the Firm 602 core, which is a favorite of mine. I have one box to give away, so read the rules below and enter away!

Blackwing Volumes Vol. 64 Pencils Pack of 12 Giveaway