How Iconic Blackwing Pencils Are Made

Blackwing showcased the meticulous craftsmanship behind their iconic hexagonal pencils, beginning with the precise blending of graphite and clay in Kofu, Japan, where the graphite is extruded, fired at high heat, and treated with wax. The graphite is then sent to Tokyo, where the pencils are assembled, shaped, lacquered, and imprinted, before being sent to Stockton, California, where their signature ferrules and erasers are attached.

This film outlines each stage of production, including how our premium graphite is pressed and cut, how multiple layers of lacquer are hand-applied to achieve our signature smooth finish, and finally how each pencil is tipped, imprinted, and hand-packed for sale.

Blackwing Pencils

Why Blackwing Almost Went Extinct

Lori Dorn
Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.