Lifehacker’s “Show Us Your Favorite Pencil”

When it comes to pencils, we all have our preferences. Some like their lead softer and others like it firmer. Some people like their pencils textured for a firmer grip while others enjoy the elegance of a sleek, slender utensil. Walter Glenn at Lifehacker.com decided to ask his readers what their personal favorite pencils are, and many of the website’s users chimed in with love letters expressing why they swear by the pencils they use. Many users sang the praises of mechanical pencils and lead holders, but several woodcased pencils made their presence known, including the Blackwing . Below are some of the  comments some of LifeHacker’s users had to say about Blackwing pencils.

Lifehacker Readers on the Blackwing

User kbrownstead started what ended up as a rather lengthy thread of people sharing why they love the Blackwing. The user posted a picture of the Blackwing with a comment below saying it is “by far the best.” Here are some of the comments that follow:

Hermocrates:

“These are the best. Used by writers like F.Scott Fitzgerald, animators like Disney, and the favored pencil of screenwriters and other creatives who think better in longhand. You can replace the big eraser if it wears down before the pencil, which it might, because it’s real rubber not that crappy poly-whatever stuff that today’s cheap pencils use. Won’t roll off your desk and the soft, thick lead won’t snap like a mechanical pencil’s.”

psyzan:

“I like the Palomino version. Definitely my favorite pencil. Can’t say I’ve ever had the pleasure of writing with an original Blackwing 602 though.”

One person who goes by the username of FIGJAM was unaware of the return of the Blackwing, leaving a comment saying “these are the ones that aren’t made anymore though, right?” Fortunately, user ericadwilkinson responded with the good news: “Fig Jam — they were re-released a few years ago, and are by far my favorite pencils EVER. I love the 602’s, though the Pearl is also pretty fantastic.”

kbrownstead wasn’t the only user to bring up the Blackwing. Here’s what some other folks had to say:

From user John Plunkett:

“Palamino Blackwing 602 is the best pencil out there. Writes dark and smooth, but still manages to last. They are longer than a normal pencil and have a huge eraser that is refillable. Also shown is my lifehacked pencil tip protector, a fused straw that fits snugly over the point to keep from breaking”

From user Carlton Lemley III:

“People who know use the Palomino Blackwing. Hooper even has one in Jaws!”

From user JessHoyle:

“Palomino Blackwings are my go to pencil for everything from notes to sketches.”

It wasn’t just the Blackwing that received all the love from the Palomino family. Andy Welfle from Woodclinched shared his love for Palomino’s Golden Bear Pencils. Here’s what he had to say:

“I love the Palomino Blackwings, too, but the best performance for the money is the Palomino Golden Bear, by the same manufacturer, California Cedar. They perform pretty solidly, slightly better than a Dixon Ticonderoga, I’d say, and they’re less than $3 per dozen. And they’re gorgeous — look at this blue with an orange eraser! They have an orange one, too. And they’re made in the USA!”

Andy also provided a link to a review he wrote for the Golden Bears at Woodclinched.

If you’d like to see all of the pencil picks, check out the full article over on Lifehacker. And don’t forget to sound off with your favorite pencil in the comments below!