The Blackwing pencil was introduced in the 1930′s by Eberhard Faber and was the pencil of choice for Oscar, Grammy, and Pulitzer Prize winners throughout the 20th century. After it was discontinued in the 1990′s, fans began paying as much as $40 per pencil to seize unused stock. In 2010, Palomino revived the Blackwing, and it is now available in four different models: soft, firm, extra firm and balanced.
The Pearl is balanced and smooth for the best of both worlds.