Blackwing Pencil Review - Falcon Drawing

Blackwing pencils are some of the most expensive graphite drawing pencils. Are they worth the price? We'll find out in this review of Blackwing drawing pencils. We also take a quick look at drawing a Falcon on Canson Heritage hot press watercolor paper with these pencils.
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Blackwing 602 Pencils - amzn.to/3aaj22o
General's Layout Pencils - amzn.to/2LCPal9

[@thaweezl8852]

The Blackwing matte (black paint) is the softest. The pearl (white paint) is next. The 602 (dark gray) is next hardest. The natural (wood tone) is the one listed as extra firm. Tbh, you have the right formula to get a ton of comments, narrating the wrong info.

[@zemansk7888]

Agree. Strange that a professional artist can’t see and feel the difference of the lead softness/darkness of each BW model

[@endezeichengrimm]

They're not $40 per pencil. Those were just the originals. The new ones are a reproduction of the original.

[@RIPPER334]

He literally explains that in the first 3 minutes of the video...

[@endezeichengrimm]

@@RIPPER334 No. He doesn't. These are not the $40 Eberhard Faber pencils.

[@stevenj9970]

I've used Faber Castill Blackwing 602 ORIGINAL pencils since the mid 1970's....In fact I have 4 (12 count) boxes left. I'm a professional musician and this was THE pencil of choice for musicians, composers etc since the 1940's. Palomino issued the Blackwing Matt first and it is the closest to the Orig, F.C. Blackwing 602. Even then, it's still not as nice to use as the Orig. The Palomino 602 is much harder than the F.C. Blackwing 602...Now in my mid 60's I will use the remaining 4 dozen F.C. 602's as they will last until I leave the earth. I wish everyone could try the OLD original pencils, NOTHING writes like they do and that was why people paid $40 per pencil...

[@maddyglasses]

Actually the 602 is the hardest of the 3. The Pearl is softer than the 602 and the matte is the softest of the 3. There's also another pencil that Blackwing produces as part of their set, which is the Natural--harder than the 602.

[@Gma7788]

They haven't updated their childhood knowledge into adult knowledge yet. The manufacturers sharpen pencils but you DON'T SHARPEN pencils. You wear away the lead. You never sharpen. You let manufacturers worry about sharpening. You get on with rubbing lead into a diamond 💎 looking tip with tiny facets worn into it.

[@thatisartnotpffft6368]

Mars Lumograph are very smooth/nice to draw with and less expensive, and I've heard Caran d'Ache are very smooth too. After watching this I would like to try these. Love this bird drawing! Techniques of drawings like this can be used for so much. For example the feathers themselves look the same as what can be used as short and tall grass in a field.

[@jenniefrench1338]

I just mentioned the same comment. I really love that set too and no shine.

[@MrChinchilla_hn]

Great video, informative and instructional. I enjoyed very much. I used to draw when younger. Now 59. Greetings from Honduras.

[@AncientNovelist]

Hi Virtual Instructor, A couple of clarification may help your followers. First, the Palomino Blackwing 602 (currently available) is NOT the same as the discontinued Eberhard Faber Blackwing 602, which was last produced in 1998. It's not just that the ownership of the Blackwing brand changed; the entire formulation changed. The Palomino Blackwing 602 has darkness D11, softness S6, smoothness L11, pressure sensitivity P5. The fabled Eberhard Faber Blackwing 602 was darker at D13, *much* softer at S11, and *much* smoother at L14. pressure sensitivity was P4, so quite similar to the current Blackwing 602. These data are from testing I completed in 2015 (Pearson's Graphite 2015, available at bookstores worldwide). So the two variants of Blackwing 602 are quite different from each other. Contrary to your reports, Palomino claims the Blackwing Pearl has darkness and softness in between those of the 602 and the Matte (formerly Blackwing Dark). My results corroborate Palomino's findings. That your results were different is of course completely possible, but you really ought to point out that your results were not the same as those claimed by the company, and perhaps explain why your results differed. I found darkness D11, D13, and D15 for Blackwing 602, Blackwing Pearl, and Blackwing Matte respectively.

[@artbykcappadona5166]

According to the Blackwing website Pearl is softer than 602 but firmer than Matte. They sell 12 pencils for 24 dollars. Beautiful drawing.

[@31leoceara]

Yes, I noticed the clash of information, too. Who is right?

[@ducksoff7236]

@@31leocearaWhat do you mean "who is right"? The manufacture is right. Also the price on amazon alone shows this channel is just run by clickbaiting a88holes.

[@MugshotzAS]

Price has gone down, since they are able to produce more.

[@ponderanceofagravedigger2564]

Blick art has them.i bought a box of each. Love them.

[@taranthyll]

I bought a set of these three pencils years ago and I still haven't used them. Now I'm eager to try them out; thanks for the review.

[@lordmonty9421]

The 602 is the firmest. The Pearl is the mid-range. The Blackwing is the darkest. I’ve own all of these. Dozens of them. Have for over a decade.

[@thesleeplessspook]

I got a pack of 12 for $25 over at Blick. I've paid much more than that for far less when it comes to an art supply, tbh . I dearly love these pencils and use them quite heavily in addition to the Prismacolor Ebony pencils in my illustrations. An art subscription box (properly) introduced me to the Blackwing, though I have faint memories of my grandfather (also an artist) having a few in his studio back in the day that I toyed with as a child. I think the important thing for an artist to do is to try out something like the Blackwing to simply see if it works for them or not. If it works, it's worth the investment.

[@TjVoelkerArt]

Dick Blick online has the boxes of 12 for just under $25 a box....nearly half the price of Amazon!

[@thevirtualinstructor]

Well that's a deal!

[@TjVoelkerArt]

@@thevirtualinstructor I know, right?

[@joanpavlick4167]

This was the second time watching this video. Found it intriguing that I have order a box of 12. I always use only a general's 6b pencil as I was taught in college. I found going straight to Blackwing site, and ordering them. It is alot less than Amazon. Even with the $5 standard shipping. Total cost was $29.95.

[@ohbli_oh]

The way you pronounce the word drawing. Adorable ☺️😂

[@sclogse1]

As I understand it,the first reissue of the 602 wasn't up to snuff to the original, but the second release was. I believe the second release says Palomino BlackWing 602, but the first reissue does not say Palomino.

[@DP-Dignity]

I am so impressed with your drawing and love this video. Thank you for making it.

[@vivioprea4046]

Stunning work, man! Going to try drawing this.

[@trif0rce_the-h3r0]

I actually got them for like 3-6$ (Can't remember exactly) for one each at a convention....Glad I bought them when I could!

[@zemansk7888]

The pearl is the hardest? Isn’t it supposed to be in between the 602 and the matte?

[@paul_domici]

I been thinking about buying them just out of curiosity!!!

[@jacquelinebudd1277]

Thank you for this comparison. I have the black pencil, you’ve made me itch to try the 602 now.

[@Irisphotojournal]

I have the 602 and the pearl and love both of them, sadly here in the UK they cost £29.00 for a twelve pack delivered but out of all the pencils I have they are up there at the top. Best comparison for me are the Caran De Ache Grafwood, they have a greater range but don't have erasers. I have cheap stuff too.!

[@edzejandehaan9265]

In the end of the day it's just graphite, an inexpensive material, in the form of an easily produced pencil. Those prices are ridiculous. Btw I love your drawings!

[@doda508]

I own a few boxes of the 602 and Matte, the quality makes them entirely worth it for me and I love to draw with then, I'd Pay even more for them

[@doda508]

oh and I only paid like 23 bucks for a set of 12 so idk why he payed over 20 bucks for 3

[@jenniefrench1338]

I enjoy the Staedler Mars lumagraph matte set. No graphite shine and I had the black wings in school and it wasn’t a big deal. But I really enjoy the matte pencils that I mentioned, no graphite shine.

[@catherineraper]

Great drawing, love the shadow values.

[@askialuna7717]

27$ for three graphite pencils? it's insane. My most expensive pencils was a uni Mechanical pencil that rotate the lead. I bought it years ago for 12€ from Amazon because I don't want to wait 3 weeks for it from Japan, it was 4€ more than from Japan.

[@doda508]

no I buy a 12 pack for 24 bucks idk why he paid that, and they're worth more imo

[@scottheron349]

I love how much you know about pencils!

[@clim7677]

Derwent sketching pencils are super too. These Blackwings are pure pleasure for writing music too (yes i still write notes on paper).

[@hannarul1515]

Very classy video! Really enjoyed it!

[@DEMONJOKER69]

I’ve been drawing with the Ticonderoga noir lol they’re nice for cheap.

[@Crina-LudmilaCristeaAuthor]

What a stunning drawing!💛

[@leaschwartz3943]

thanks, Matt!! and love the drawing!!

[@thevirtualinstructor]

Thanks Lea!

[@eriche8870]

Hi i click the link below you attached to purchase but direct me to different set. Can you send me the link to that same 3 sets that you use on the video?thanks

[@warwolfii]

You can purchase 12 Blackwing 602 pencils for $24.95 on Amazon, not exactly cheap, but well worth the price. I don't use them for everything, of course, but I love them. I came upon them quite by accident when I sent away for a dozen of them from some company or other at a very reduced price, not quite expecting what it was I was receiving. Yes, I believe they are the best drawing pencil of them all.

[@twohandsandaradio]

The original 602 are the pencils selling for that much. The formula died with the company. Another company picked up the defunct Blackwing name and tried to get the new 602 as close as possible. From what I have heard the vintage and new are different your mileage would vary as to which is better.

[@karlasalinas7094]

I did not know that there was a discount until January 2, 67, I just know that, there will be another month with a similar discount for this attentive please, greetings from Lima, Peru. No sabia que habia oferta hasta el 2 de enero de 67 dolares , que pena recien me entero. Habra en este year un descuento. Gracias.

[@thomasberel8832]

What would you recommend for a good white pencil?

[@phlipperxx656]

Caran d'ache luminance and the Derwent Drawing Chinese white are both excellent. Depends what you want!

[@loisparsons2048]

Need to get some thanks

[@jomeson4081]

I got all three and 602 is the lightest and the matte black is the darkest and smoothest but great video

[@amysandifer9421]

The Blackwing site has all of these pencils for about $25/dozen.

[@Lucky-ik1we]

Nice drawing! 😉

[@johnmercer7421]

the 602 is between an HB and a B. pearl is about a 2B. Blackwing Matte about 4 B. get your facts right.

[@thevirtualinstructor]

Hi John, I have extensive experience using various brands and types of graphite pencils. The 602 pencil is much darker than an HB or B pencil.

[@greekveteran2715]

You're wrong John. 602 is at least 4B. Look at that black it produces! HB can't produce so much darkness, neither the very close B.

[@flowdaflava6574]

Buy them from black wing, you don’t get prime shipping but they are $25 a dozen for them

[@Iwykaw]

KZbin is full of videos talking about how smooth they are and nobody seems to complain so it’s very easy to get swayed. However please consider this. Yes, they feel luxuriously smooth and look really elegant. But are they good choice for art? Normally harder pencils are lighter and softer ones are darker, right? Well, not these. They are literally what they claim to be - firm, soft etc. The only difference is the point retention, feel and sharpness of the stroke. But the difference between tones is negligible if any. With enough control all four are capable of achieving identical values and tonal range making it pointless to own more than one type. It defies all logic but that’s what they are like. I see that you skipped the Matte halfway through as you realised that Pearl can achieve same depth. Truth is all of them can. The erasers on top are so bad you are unlikely to ever replace them which renders the flat ferrule pointless. Same ferrule that makes the pencil significantly longer and incompatible with standard extenders. You have to spend another £15 to get Blackwing one. If you want them, buy them. But please don’t be me who bought a box of each four types. Buy a starter kit that contains 1pcs of each. Use them up. Then buy a single box of one type you liked the most. Or skip the starter and buy based on which one looks the best (considering they keep releasing limited editions).

[@SevenDeMagnus]

Very nice, thank you. comp[ete review. I just bought a box of their 602. I'd love to try the most buttery smooth pencil, the Rolls Royce of pencils onto the most buttery smooth, the Rolls Royce of papers- Tomoe River (the original one, not the new formulation which isn't that significantly different). God bless, Rev. 21:4

[@humbertovinicius]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 perfect

[@dieser_einefreund1938]

Oh damn a few weeks ago I bought a 12 pack of these for 15$ before I found out how expensive these are

[@paxdomini9714]

I got a box of the pearls for like 20$ it think you overpayed

[@antoniaw1430]

What paper do you use?

[@piecetoyou8285]

The story goes, The manufacture stopped making the Blackwing pencil due to the tooling that made the feral and clip broke, they could repair it, so they decided to stop making the pencil rather than replace the machine, years after a person payed about 300 dollars for the rights to reproduce the pencil, But did not get the formula on the lead so this is why the perfectionist don`t class them as an original, I think the new company were selling a box of 12 for 30 dollars and people were paying that,but then I think they came down in price, but certain numbered ones are more dearer, When the original company shut down the price of the original pencils were fetching 40 dollars even as high as 200 dollars, Now that was crazy, every time it had to be sharpened I bet that person cringed,

[@IllustratedManOfficial]

I purchased a dozen for $26 at Blick’s. So, a bit over $2 each.

[@F5_cena]

They also have limited edition versions as well The 725 is the holy grail lol I'm going to come out and say I paid $50 just for 1 because I was late in getting subscriptions.

[@HerradaJulio]

I don't like blacking because it is expensive and on top of that you can't use pencil extenders.

[@thevirtualinstructor]

Good point about the pencil extenders. Very true.

[@greekveteran2715]

You CAN use pencil extenders, you just pullout, the metal part that holds the eraser, with a pair of pliers! I always do that,on these kind of pencils, to improve the balance of the pencil for drawing.

[@Undertow_999]

I went to check em today and 12 of them are 30$

[@barbaragoldhamer1742]

I can get blackwing pencils for around $27 fir a box if 12. It's not a $40 pencil.

[@loati94]

I um...think you got ripped off

[@mregomaster7087]

Very sheap! In Brazil a pencil like that costs 10 times more.

[@loati94]

For some reason where I live Zara Home sells a pack of 3 for 10€

[@noirstrife]

Pencils.com you can get them for 25 dollars

[@beedeeuniko]

Tools do not make art, people do... but people have a fetish for everything, especially for tools 😂

[@thevirtualinstructor]

Very true.

[@phlipperxx656]

Yeah, for $6 I'mma need the pencil to correct my proportions for me! Oh, for the Canucks...these pencils are on sale at Chapters Indigo for $24 a box rn, online only (though you can save shipping by sending them to the nearest store for pick-up)

[@gersainrodriguez7629]

I just bought a dozen for 25 usd 🤔

[@Gma7788]

Wrong. The brand philosophy is What happens to YOU as you're drawing or writing, IS important and they improve this writing/drawing experience. You have a childish perspective. That's bad news. Other brands have different philosophies.

[@dphgreek]

Those are not the original $40 pencils!! They do not have the “ original “ logo! Those are the new ones! Now i love them just as much! But you DID NOT pay $40 for 1 new pencil! And by the way! I paid $100 for 1 original from an “ actual “ collection set

[@ramongibbs8692]

As an art instructor how comfortable are you suggesting to your viewers and students that they should invest in the highest priced pencil on the market rather than advocate to students that building skill levels is much more important. So what happens when some of your students become discourage after purchasing your high priced pencils only to find their skills will not get them the fame or recognition you suggest. Boosting on the next high dollar would-be sponsor just may get your pocket padded but what does it do for your followers' skill levels. Be serious and honest.

[@thevirtualinstructor]

I am not sponsored by anyone. I am serious and honest. Perhaps you shouldn't make assumptions. These pencils are expensive and not my favorites BUT I have had lots of people request that I review them - so I did. And, the quality of the materials that you use makes a huge difference in what you can do with them.

[@DigitalViscosity]

That generals pencil is GARBAGE. Nothing beats the blackwing matte

[@humbertovinicius]

🇧🇷

[@loriloretta7639]

amazon sucks, the price of the pencils are 27 per 12 of a single type of pencil directly from blackwing, forget amazon- its for impatient people who like to throw away their money

[@ducksoff7236]

Huh? Currently $2.75ea on Amazon. This isn't the only time this channel had BU LL......SH..... IT click bait. How sickening

[@sseam009]

Felicidades muy homosexual tu trabajo, saludos. :v