[Pen/Pencil Review] Palomino Blackwing Volume XIX Pencil

We do venture out every so often – fully masked and safe – to help support some of our smaller businesses. This past weekend we went up to McKinney and hit our favorite places on the Square. One of which is Graphite Pen + Paper. While there, I picked up two Palomino Blackwing Volume XIX pencils. Given the day this comes out they are very appropriate – and I’ve sharpened one up and used it all day today. And yes, it’s slightly political – but this vote is so important and it’s the 100th anniversary of the women’s right to vote – I will celebrate it, and yes, I haven’t been quiet about the fact that I did vote.

From the Palomino website:

The Blackwing XIX is our tribute to the 19th Amendment and the ongoing fight for voting rights in the United States and around the world. It features a purple barrel and three-sided white and golden yellow imprint inspired by the suffrage flag, striped silver ferrule, and purple eraser. The 36 yellow stars represent the 36 states that ratified the amendment. The firm graphite is perfect for writing a letter to your Representatives or making your voting plan.

The Palomino Blackwings are a dark, soft lead like I like. There’s nothing on the lavender lacquer body to tell you what the lead actually is, but it feels like a good B to me. Which means it’s NOT A #2 PENCIL for standardized tests/scantron sheets, but really, why would you? These are too pretty for that. The purple body and the gold and white banded accent just makes it a pretty, pretty thing to look at. It’s also a sturdy pencil of solid wood, not that plastic pseudo-wood that bends and doesn’t sharpen well. I’ve enjoyed both writing with this today and, since also keeping in theme, I used it to conduct the Hamilton soundtrack and other music. Because that’s what you do…

The Blackwing also caters to those of us who like to erase. Instead of the standard eraser on the end of the pencil, the Blackwing was a flattened, rectangular eraser that resembles a paintbrush in shape. The purple matching eraser rubs the graphite out cleanly without crumbling. Over time it remains flexible instead of going hard like cheaper erasers. It’s also held into the end of the pencil with a spring clip so it can be adjusted to length – and makes it an oversized eraser so you don’t run out of eraser before you run out of pencil. And if you’re using a LOT of eraser, JetPens sells replacement erasers in black, white, and pink, so you can choose your look.

The Numbers

1. How does it work? – 1 – I really like these pencils. They’re a good, solid wood. When I fidget with them, I have no worries that I’m going to snap them in half or bend them out of shape, like with really cheap pencils. It is a soft lead, so if you like a hard, sharp point, you might be a little disappointed, but I like a solid, dark line, so this is my happy place pencil.
2. Grip and feel – 1 – It’s a standard, hexagonal pencil. But like with the above comment, it’s a good sturdy pencil that feels good in the hand.
3. Material – 1 – One of the best built pencils I’ve had in a while. Solid wood, nice accents. The eraser mechanism is well-built and solidly attached.
4. Overall Design – 1 – I don’t know what else to say about this pencil’s design. It just rocks – for me.
5. Price Point – 0 – It’s an expensive wooden pencil. A box of 12 will run about $28 They may be worth it if you really like wooden pencils and/or replaceable erasers, but this is not going to be your “back to school” pencil. You are paying for the fact it’s a darned good wooden pencil – and if you go for the pretty gift box? You’re paying more. That’s the only real drawback to this pencil. If you’re used to getting a dozen for a $1…this will be sticker shock. But it’s a gorgeous one.

I give it 4 of 5 bronze pencils.

Tags: 19th Amendment, Palomino Blackwing, pen, Pencil, soft lead, wooden pencil