The Blackwing 602 went out of production in 1998; now, on its 80th birthday, everyone from Stephen Sondheim to "Mad Men" to top studio animators have made it one of the industry’s most valuable -- and ...

I had to look up the word “ferrule.” It comes from the Old French, and today it refers to that metal ring you find on the business end of a tool or walking cane that adds support and keeps the thing ...

“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 soft but doesn’t break off. I think I will always use these. They are ...

Though this one’s hard to plan for, a great origin story never hurts when it comes to marketing. After several corporate acquisitions, the Blackwing pencil ceased production, much to the chagrin of ...

Crossword puzzles have been a fixture in New York Magazine’s pages since the first issue hit newsstands in 1968 — in which the puzzle was created by none other than Stephen Sondheim. (He even wrote a ...

Writing with a Blackwing is like swabbing a pad of butter across warm toast. It glides. The Palomino Blackwing 602 is my favorite pencil. Welcome to Senior Week at Gawker Media! Here’s the lowdown: We ...

If you need to make a mark, finish a crossword, or just doodle a bit, this Blackwing sharpener proves its point. If you need to make a mark, finish a crossword, or just doodle a bit, this Blackwing ...