Eberhard Faber Blackwing 602 pencil fetish

In 2002, I wrote about the cult status of the Eberhard Faber Blackwing 602 pencil, which hasn't been made since 1998. Old boxes of them are still available on eBay, commanding prices of up to $250 a box.

Here's an article about the pencil, and why it isn't being made any longer.

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The Eberhard Faber Blackwing 602 has been a favorite among artists, designers and writers for many years. I have received many, many emails from users looking for them and wanting to know if they are still available. The Blackwing has been discussed in forums, and has been the subject of newspaper articles, most notably a Boston Globe article in December 2002. Buyers and sellers have been using eBay and The Pencil Pages classifieds to transact Blackwing deals, with prices exceeding $20.00 per pencil. What is so special about this pencil that its devotees will accept no substitute and make them willing to spend $250.00 for a box of them? It has a sleek and unique design, and if you've ever used one, you know it is a very smooth-writing and easy to use pencil. Its famous slogan "Half the Pressure, Twice the Speed" is no exaggeration. It is also the last of a line of pencils featuring a distinctive rectangular ferrule with a unique, replaceable eraser. I am no artist, but I kno
w that professionals rely on quality and consistency in the tools they use, and the Blackwing was one that could be relied upon.

Link (Thanks, Armand!)