Comments on: The new Palomino Blackwing 602 pencil is a fine tribute to the Eberhard Faber Blackwing 602 http://boingboing.net/2011/06/17/the-new-palomino-bla.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sat, 25 May 2013 23:06:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/17/the-new-palomino-bla.html#comment-1141250 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1141250 To some, myself included, a good pencil helps to elevate an otherwise mundane activity to something tolerable, or even pleasurable. I am a pencil geek, in fact having the Tombow Mono 100 and Palomino logos tattooed down the back of my legs. Not to feed the trolls, but its a relatively cheap and practical fetish. I don't seem to see any bashing of the drooling done over expensive electronics you normally see here (not that I am casting aspersions mind you, to each his own). To some, myself included, a good pencil helps to elevate an otherwise mundane activity to something tolerable, or even pleasurable. I am a pencil geek, in fact having the Tombow Mono 100 and Palomino logos tattooed down the back of my legs. Not to feed the trolls, but its a relatively cheap and practical fetish. I don’t seem to see any bashing of the drooling done over expensive electronics you normally see here (not that I am casting aspersions mind you, to each his own).

]]> By: hooch66 http://boingboing.net/2011/06/17/the-new-palomino-bla.html#comment-1141003 hooch66 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1141003 I'd like to try it out. I wish I could buy 1 at maybe $2 instead of having to buy 12 at $20. Still, looks pretty cool and I hope it is successful. I’d like to try it out. I wish I could buy 1 at maybe $2 instead of having to buy 12 at $20. Still, looks pretty cool and I hope it is successful.

]]> By: Kosmoid http://boingboing.net/2011/06/17/the-new-palomino-bla.html#comment-1141006 Kosmoid Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1141006 Mark, I've been giving these folks a lot of business based on your recommendation. Will have to try out the BW. Mark, I’ve been giving these folks a lot of business based on your recommendation. Will have to try out the BW.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/17/the-new-palomino-bla.html#comment-1145877 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1145877 I have to say that I was disappointed in the new 602. The smoothness that Palomino achieved with their first try is gone. While it is still a better writer because it does hold it's point better, it still isn't as nice as the original Blackwing 602. The best that I've come to find a good replacement is the Mitsu-bishi Hi-Uni in 3B, which I think is nicer. You may want to try the 2B also. Tombow Mono in the 3 or 4 B is also nice, as is the Palomino 2B (orange colored pencil), which I like better than the Blackwing 602's lead. For the budget conscious, I really like Musgrave's Unigraph in 2B lead, and their Unigraph and hex in HB and number 2 lead. Very nice pencils at a great price, and USA made. (Stay away from their B lead which is horrible. I don't know why, but it is harder and lighter than their HB.) I have to say that I was disappointed in the new 602. The smoothness that Palomino achieved with their first try is gone. While it is still a better writer because it does hold it’s point better, it still isn’t as nice as the original Blackwing 602.

The best that I’ve come to find a good replacement is the Mitsu-bishi Hi-Uni in 3B, which I think is nicer. You may want to try the 2B also.

Tombow Mono in the 3 or 4 B is also nice, as is the Palomino 2B (orange colored pencil), which I like better than the Blackwing 602′s lead.

For the budget conscious, I really like Musgrave’s Unigraph in 2B lead, and their Unigraph and hex in HB and number 2 lead. Very nice pencils at a great price, and USA made. (Stay away from their B lead which is horrible. I don’t know why, but it is harder and lighter than their HB.)

]]> By: lrivers http://boingboing.net/2011/06/17/the-new-palomino-bla.html#comment-1141016 lrivers Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1141016 Hey Mark, let me help you out with a link to the Best. Pencil. Sharpener. Evar. http://boingboing.net/2011/03/10/clive-thompson-on-th.html Hey Mark, let me help you out with a link to the Best. Pencil. Sharpener. Evar. http://boingboing.net/2011/03/10/clive-thompson-on-th.html

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/17/the-new-palomino-bla.html#comment-1141278 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1141278 looks like a Nimbus 2000 looks like a Nimbus 2000

]]> By: Ambiguity http://boingboing.net/2011/06/17/the-new-palomino-bla.html#comment-1141031 Ambiguity Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1141031 <blockquote>And because the pencil is no longer in production, a cult has formed around it</blockquote> Umm... I hadn't noticed.....

And because the pencil is no longer in production, a cult has formed around it

Umm… I hadn’t noticed…..

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/17/the-new-palomino-bla.html#comment-1141034 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1141034 Awesome. Hope you can run a piece on Konstnärer's bespoke paperclips in the near future. The model p311/b will take your breath away and is a stunning tribute to early Vaalar designs, very retro but with a twist - it's only available in gun metal grey! Awesome. Hope you can run a piece on Konstnärer’s bespoke paperclips in the near future. The model p311/b will take your breath away and is a stunning tribute to early Vaalar designs, very retro but with a twist – it’s only available in gun metal grey!

]]> By: cratermoon http://boingboing.net/2011/06/17/the-new-palomino-bla.html#comment-1141294 cratermoon Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1141294 As long as we're on a stationery and writing geek ride, anyone want to share their favorite notebooks? I prefer bound, numbered pages in a typical notebook size. These <a href="http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.ACCT107430/sc.23/category.134/.f">lab notebooks from BookFactory</a> are pricey but the gold standard for me, except that I wish the pages were more off-white. Another notebook I've found that I like are these <a href="http://www.nightingale.co.in/Journal/Personality.htm">journals from Nightingale Products</a>. Unfortunately their website doesn't show the inside pages, but they are lined and numbered in addition to having a short quote on each page. They also have a space for the Date at the top of each page. For cheap and numbered, these blue <a href="http://www.thenerds.net/ROARING_SPRINGS.Roaring_Spring_Lab_and_Science_Notebook.77571.html">scientific notebooks form Roaring Spring</a> are good. Numbered pages, light green paper is easy on the eyes. Someday I might order some of these <a href="http://www.eurekalabbook.com/Standard.html">lab notebooks from Eureka</a>. I like the page layout and the paper is off-white. As long as we’re on a stationery and writing geek ride, anyone want to share their favorite notebooks? I prefer bound, numbered pages in a typical notebook size. These lab notebooks from BookFactory are pricey but the gold standard for me, except that I wish the pages were more off-white.

Another notebook I’ve found that I like are these journals from Nightingale Products. Unfortunately their website doesn’t show the inside pages, but they are lined and numbered in addition to having a short quote on each page. They also have a space for the Date at the top of each page.

For cheap and numbered, these blue scientific notebooks form Roaring Spring are good. Numbered pages, light green paper is easy on the eyes.

Someday I might order some of these lab notebooks from Eureka. I like the page layout and the paper is off-white.

]]> By: hplcman http://boingboing.net/2011/06/17/the-new-palomino-bla.html#comment-1141040 hplcman Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1141040 Jesus. Really? A post about pencils? Is that what we're doing now? And golly! With close-up photos and everything!! I can't wait to go buy a pencil now! How awesome is that?!?! Jesus.

Really? A post about pencils? Is that what we’re doing now? And golly! With close-up photos and everything!! I can’t wait to go buy a pencil now! How awesome is that?!?!

]]> By: wobinidan http://boingboing.net/2011/06/17/the-new-palomino-bla.html#comment-1141555 wobinidan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1141555 Hey, some people just really like pencils. Hey, some people just really like pencils.

]]> By: tyger11 http://boingboing.net/2011/06/17/the-new-palomino-bla.html#comment-1141045 tyger11 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1141045 Is it just me, or does the Palomino (the one with the black finish) produce MUCH more readable writing? Are you pencil dorks completely missing the point of pencils? (Pun intended. :) Is it just me, or does the Palomino (the one with the black finish) produce MUCH more readable writing? Are you pencil dorks completely missing the point of pencils? (Pun intended. :)

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/17/the-new-palomino-bla.html#comment-1141047 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1141047 You know, if you're not interested in a post, you can just skip it. There's no need to be an asshole about it. You know, if you’re not interested in a post, you can just skip it. There’s no need to be an asshole about it.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/17/the-new-palomino-bla.html#comment-1141054 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1141054 Chefs have knives, painters a brand of paints or brushes, and writers have pencils. There is still something to be said for doing something simple really well. Apparently sarcasm is what you do well. Good luck with that. Chefs have knives, painters a brand of paints or brushes, and writers have pencils. There is still something to be said for doing something simple really well. Apparently sarcasm is what you do well. Good luck with that.

]]> By: RebNachum http://boingboing.net/2011/06/17/the-new-palomino-bla.html#comment-1141063 RebNachum Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1141063 Indeed. Before I saw this exchange, I was going to post my gratitude at discovering I'm not the world's only stationery nerd. Thank you, Mark. Keep 'em coming. Indeed. Before I saw this exchange, I was going to post my gratitude at discovering I’m not the world’s only stationery nerd. Thank you, Mark. Keep ‘em coming.

]]> By: echolocate chocolate http://boingboing.net/2011/06/17/the-new-palomino-bla.html#comment-1141074 echolocate chocolate Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1141074 Tee hee :) Seriously though, I have never felt like splurging on fancy pencils, until now. Tee hee :)

Seriously though, I have never felt like splurging on fancy pencils, until now.

]]> By: jfrancis http://boingboing.net/2011/06/17/the-new-palomino-bla.html#comment-1141077 jfrancis Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1141077 I bought a few to compare and was so unimpressed with the original that I started to wonder if the old ones on eBay are somehow being counterfeited. I bought a few to compare and was so unimpressed with the original that I started to wonder if the old ones on eBay are somehow being counterfeited.

]]> By: jfrancis http://boingboing.net/2011/06/17/the-new-palomino-bla.html#comment-1141338 jfrancis Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1141338 I don't, but I know a guy that loves the Black N Red Notebooks by John Dickinson - which I guess are hard to come by in the US. I don’t, but I know a guy that loves the Black N Red Notebooks by John Dickinson – which I guess are hard to come by in the US.

]]> By: Mark Frauenfelder http://boingboing.net/2011/06/17/the-new-palomino-bla.html#comment-1141086 Mark Frauenfelder Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1141086 Back to troll school for you! Back to troll school for you!

]]> By: Kosmoid http://boingboing.net/2011/06/17/the-new-palomino-bla.html#comment-1141088 Kosmoid Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1141088 To continue the stationery nerdness: I'm devoted to Clairefontaine notebooks. I get mine from these folks in Oregon... http://www.shopwritersbloc.com/clairefontaine-clothbound-notebook--large-french-ruled.html The binding doesn't fall apart and the paper is substantial, not like that moleskine crap that rips every time I take a sharp pencil to it. To continue the stationery nerdness: I’m devoted to Clairefontaine notebooks. I get mine from these folks in Oregon…

http://www.shopwritersbloc.com/clairefontaine-clothbound-notebook–large-french-ruled.html

The binding doesn’t fall apart and the paper is substantial, not like that moleskine crap that rips every time I take a sharp pencil to it.

]]> By: cratermoon http://boingboing.net/2011/06/17/the-new-palomino-bla.html#comment-1141345 cratermoon Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1141345 Black N Red isn't that hard to come by in the US. I've seen them now and then at office supply places. I don't think the pages are numbered though, as best I recall the ones I've seen, and that's a deal-breaker for me. <a href="http://www.leuchtturm1917.com/en/content/master-notebook-ae-classic">Leuchtturm 1917</a> is another good choice, if you can find them. Black N Red isn’t that hard to come by in the US. I’ve seen them now and then at office supply places. I don’t think the pages are numbered though, as best I recall the ones I’ve seen, and that’s a deal-breaker for me.

Leuchtturm 1917 is another good choice, if you can find them.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2011/06/17/the-new-palomino-bla.html#comment-1141092 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1141092 <blockquote>Hope you can run a piece on Konstnärer's bespoke paperclips in the near future.</blockquote> We get occasional Submitterations from a website that sells vintage office supplies from Eastern Europe. You could have a drawerful of Communist-era Czech binder clips!

Hope you can run a piece on Konstnärer’s bespoke paperclips in the near future.

We get occasional Submitterations from a website that sells vintage office supplies from Eastern Europe. You could have a drawerful of Communist-era Czech binder clips!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/17/the-new-palomino-bla.html#comment-1141096 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1141096 Mark, we're glad you like it! Ive been using mine all week, and I know I can't tell the difference between the graphite of the original and this one. We're glad you are out there to spread the joy of wooden pencils. -Andy at Pencils.com Mark, we’re glad you like it! Ive been using mine all week, and I know I can’t tell the difference between the graphite of the original and this one. We’re glad you are out there to spread
the joy of wooden pencils.

-Andy at Pencils.com

]]> By: Corn.E.Copia http://boingboing.net/2011/06/17/the-new-palomino-bla.html#comment-1141101 Corn.E.Copia Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1141101 Col-Erase pencils are the ♥. The LOVE! Especially the Blue. Back in the era of paper storyboards, they saved me time after time, day after day. The LOVE! Col-Erase pencils are the ♥. The LOVE! Especially the Blue. Back in the era of paper storyboards, they saved me time after time, day after day.

The LOVE!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/17/the-new-palomino-bla.html#comment-1141364 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1141364 I used to use the Blackwing pencils way back when, in fact I might still have some somewhere. I just can't understand why anyone would pay $20 for one. When I draw, any number 2 pencil will do as it's got more to do with learning to control the pressure which is up to you, not the pencil. I used to use the Blackwing pencils way back when, in fact I might still have some somewhere. I just can’t understand why anyone would pay $20 for one. When I draw, any number 2 pencil will do as it’s got more to do with learning to control the pressure which is up to you, not the pencil.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/17/the-new-palomino-bla.html#comment-1141109 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1141109 I still have a whole box (12p) of the original Blackwing Warriors. Best animation pencils, indeed. My number 2 would be the Berol Turquoise 2B. Good to know the Palomino got improved. I still have a whole box (12p) of the original Blackwing Warriors. Best animation pencils, indeed. My number 2 would be the Berol Turquoise 2B. Good to know the Palomino got improved.

]]> By: Michael Leddy http://boingboing.net/2011/06/17/the-new-palomino-bla.html#comment-1141623 Michael Leddy Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1141623 I’m saddened to learn that Bob Slate has closed. On summer visits to Cambridge, I always made a point of stopping in and stocking up. It was, in my experience, the greatest stationery store ever. I’m saddened to learn that Bob Slate has closed. On summer visits to Cambridge, I always made a point of stopping in and stocking up. It was, in my experience, the greatest stationery store ever.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/17/the-new-palomino-bla.html#comment-1142149 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1142149 Nice. Thanks for the info. Now who's going to do the same for the IBM Electrographic? Nice. Thanks for the info. Now who’s going to do the same for the IBM Electrographic?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/17/the-new-palomino-bla.html#comment-1168014 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1168014 I have some Palomino 602's on the way and they will not be sharpened with a Kum Automatic Longpoint - a very overrated sharpener. I will be using my Derwent three hole sharpener which produces an even longer point (without repeatedly breaking as the KUM does) than does the KUM. I have some Palomino 602′s on the way and they will not be sharpened with a Kum Automatic Longpoint – a very overrated sharpener. I will be using my Derwent three hole sharpener which produces an even longer point (without repeatedly breaking as the KUM does) than does the KUM.

]]> By: tylerkaraszewski http://boingboing.net/2011/06/17/the-new-palomino-bla.html#comment-1141145 tylerkaraszewski Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1141145 I agree with the other commenters who think this is a bit ridiculous. I agree with the other commenters who think this is a bit ridiculous.

]]>