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Palomino Blackwing 602 Pencil

£3.50

“I have found a new kind of pencil — the best I have ever had. Of course, it costs three times as much too but it is Black and it is soft but doesn’t break off. I think I will always use these. They are called Blackwings and they really glide over the paper." 

So writer John Steinbeck said about his beloved Blackwing 602, originally created in 1934 by the now-extinct pencil maker Eberhard Faber. Also used by artists as varied as Quincy Jones, Vladimir Nabokov, and Stephen Sondheim, this pencil here pictured is sadly _not _the original, but a recreation, albeit a faithful one; it is a top notch pencil, particularly suited to drawing and sketching. Very dark in colour, very buttery, the lead melts into the page. 

Blackwing pencils were originally made between the 1930s - 1990s by Eberhard Faber. The company was created by one of the heirs of the German Faber family (now Faber-Castell) who was sent to America to source cedar wood for the production of pencils in the 19th century. He remained there and formed a competing company which would establish itself as one of the largest suppliers of stationery in America. Indeed many items of what Choosing Keeping would call the "American Stationery Canon" were made by Eberhard Faber, including the Pink Pearl Eraser and the Mongol Pencil.

Unfortunately, the rise of technology and use of personal computers lead to many pencil companies going bust and now there are all but three pencil manufacturers still producing in the USA. One of the casualties of these bankruptcies happened to be the Eberhard Faber Blackwing, a high quality, beloved (especially by musicians), very smooth and black pencil.

In 2010 Cal Cedar, a pencil wood slats producer, acquired the trademark to the Blackwing and decided to re-launch the pencil, capitalising on its notoriety amongst pencil bloggers and collectors.
Though this pencil is not made by the same people, not in the same place and not with the same materials, it is still an excellent pencil. It is now made in Japan, to whom we are grateful for keeping the tradition of pencil manufacturing alive so we may enjoy wonderful writing implements still today.

Although the Palomino Blackwing 602 is ungraded, we estimate it to be a 3B-4B.

Length: 20cm
Diameter: 0.7cm
Weight: 6g
Material: Wood with graphite core, metal, rubber
Lead Grade: Firm
Colour: Dark graphite

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Palomino Blackwing 602 Pencil

£3.50
FAQ

Do You Offer Gift Wrapping?

Yes, gift wrapping can be chosen before checkout and is a £10 flat fee, which includes a card and envelope for you to leave a message. We use premium materials, our in-house Italian paper and Swiss ribbon and an assortment of branded stickers.

How can I amend my order?

Once placed, orders cannot be modified and the address cannot be changed. This is to avoid errors in processing. If you have made an error, please email to request a cancellation, you can then place a new order with the correct details. Once shipped an order cannot be cancelled, it will need to be returned.

What if something is out of stock?

If an item in your order is unavailable, our team will contact you in writing to let you know and discuss your options. We’ll do our best to suggest alternatives or advise when the item is expected back in stock. During busy seasonal periods, if an item under £10 is out of stock, we’ll issue a refund for that product and send the rest of your order so you receive it without delay.

Can I buy gift vouchers?

Digital Gift Cards can be purchased through our website and are delivered by email, these are redeemable through online purchases only. In-store only gift vouchers can also be purchased by visiting us at our physical store in Covent Garden.

Can I collect my order in store?

Yes, if the items in your basket are available at our shop in Covent Garden, you will be able to select “Pick Up” at that location. Not all items will be available at this location.

Shipping

International shipping

We ship to all Worldwide destinations exclusively using DHL Express. For UK destinations DHL Express is a 24h next working day delivery service.

Dispatch Time

We aim to despatch orders within 48 hours. At busy shopping periods this can take an extra few days. Orders placed after 1pm on Fridays and at the weekend will be sent out Monday at the earliest.

Taxes

Shipping to USA, Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand will be sent Delivered Duty Paid (DDP). This means all customs duties, taxes, and handling fees are already covered at checkout—so your order arrives without any unexpected extra charges.

About Us

Choosing Keeping is an independent shop located in Covent Garden, London. We specialise in offering a wide range of stationery and miscellaneous items to cater to all your needs.

We take pride in offering products that inspire creativity and elevate the art of writing. Whether you're looking for a special gift or simply want to treat yourself, we invite you to explore our collection and discover the joy of stationery.

We offer gift wrapping with premium materials, our in-house Italian paper and Swiss ribbon and an assortment of swallow branded stickers. We ship to all destinations worldwide by DHL.

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21 Tower Street,
London, WC2H 9NS (Map)

T: 020 7613 3842
E:info@choosingkeeping.com
@choosingkeeping