Photo: Mary Taylor

Which pencil shape is best?

Shapes. The traditional shape for pencils is hexagonal, like with Blackwing. This shape makes the pencil ergonomic and is the best shape for writing and drawing to give a good grip.

creoly.com - What makes a good pencil? - Creoly

What does an eye kiss mean?

fondness Also known as an eye kiss, the angel kiss is one that's placed on the closed eyelids of your partner. It indicates fondness and can be a...

Last updated Sep 28, 2021

Is it wrong to dislike PDA?

You should know that absolutely nothing is wrong with you or your relationship if you'd rather not tongue-wrestle on a busy sidewalk. Mitchell says...

Last updated Nov 12, 2018

Do you really know who the “One” is? Your true Soulmate?

Promotion

With Blackwing announcing their new Limited Edition Vinyl Pencils this week (keep an eye on our website for release dates late next month), we looked at what makes a pencil, a good pencil...

Not All Pencils are Created Equal

You may think it's very simple to make a pencil but surprisingly the amount of variations, wood types and even the shape of the pencil body means that there are an abundance types and options.

1. The Wood

Blackwing are one of our favourite pencil brands mainly because of the wood they use to create the iconic pencils, Incense Cedar. Known commonly as the 'superior wood' for pencil making Incense Cedar has a very smooth grain. This means you are able to sharpen the pencil without the wood splintering and there will be very little wear or tear during the pencil's lifetime. A high quality pencil will use cedar-wood because of it's long lasting benefits and smooth texture, however there are other options available. Pencils made from wood such as Basswood or White Fir are considered a more budget option. These pencils still sharpen well but they are more likely to splinter and are often made with slight imperfections.

2. Shapes

The traditional shape for pencils is hexagonal, like with Blackwing. This shape makes the pencil ergonomic and is the best shape for writing and drawing to give a good grip. Other shapes are designed for different reasons, jobs and purposes. If you're looking for the ideal pencil for your child to learn to write, we suggest round pencils, that are easy to grip and manoeuvre for small hands. Whereas, flat pencils, almost rectangular in shape may be less common but are ideal for woodworking as once put down they will never roll away like other shapes!

3. Graphite

This is probably the most important factor in determining a good pencil. Despite common knowledge there is actually no lead in a "lead pencil", the core is in fact made of graphite and wax or oil. Good pencils will have a smooth core that creates a defined mark on the page, with little to no smudging or breakage of the graphite that can cause flecks to be left on the page. Blackwing is a perfect example of a brand that uses the best materials to make their pencils. The cores are made in Japan to a formula that is smoother and softer than most pencil leads, creating a pencil that writes like butter.

4. Ferrule

Blackwing is different to other pencils, firstly because of it's ferrule. Ferrule is the small metal piece that attaches the eraser at the end of the pencil. Most are crimped around the pencil and are round shaped, like the pencil itself, but not with Blackwing, Their ferrules are glued to the end of the pencil and are rectangular shaped. Blackwing says this long and flat ferrule gives it a better grip and allows you to change your rubber colour whenever you want. So, we may be a bit biased but the facts prove it, the perfect wooden pencil has to be Blackwing. Shop our Blackwing collection, including their previous limited edition pencil here. And keep an eye out for their next special edition that is sure to be as popular as always!

Is 18 dating a 15?

In a Nutshell: Sex between an 18 year-old and a 15 year-old is illegal in California, meaning any touching of “private parts” of either, even with...

Last updated Feb 4, 2019

What are the signs that your crush doesn't like you?

Does my crush like me? Signs they're probably not interested: There's inconsistent, limited, or no communication. ... They're unavailable,...

Last updated Dec 18, 2018

Promotion

Is there a No 1 pencil?

Lead pencils are graded on a scale from No. 1 to No. 4 based on how much graphite is inside the core. The #1 pencils are the softest, while the #4 pencils are the hardest.

qualitylogoproducts.com - What Are the Different Types of Pencil Lead? - Quality Logo Products

What is in Pencil Lead?

A pencil's core, aka the "lead," isn't actually lead at all. It's mostly a non-toxic mineral called graphite, which is in a powdered form and mixed together with water and clay. Hundreds of years ago, raw graphite was the only ingredient used inside of pencils. Pencil makers thrived on this mineral all throughout Europe, with the industry really booming throughout the 16th and 17th centuries. Isaac Newton, Ernest Hemingway, and Thomas Edison are just a few of the many great thinkers who brainstormed with a graphite pencil in hand. All this popularity, however, caused graphite to quickly became a scarce commodity. A French painter named Nicolas-Jacques Conté completely saved pencils from going extinct by cutting down the amount of graphite used inside and mixing it together with water and clay instead. This is what's found inside the pencils we use to this very day!

What does God say about life partner?

He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church… Ephesians...

Last updated Apr 30, 2018

How long between date 1 and 2?

two weeks The second date should not take place more than two weeks after the first date. If the first date went exceptionally well, the best thing...

Last updated Aug 22, 2020

Promotion

How did you know you met your soulmate?

Soulmates usually experience an immediate connection; you will feel like you have known them a lifetime. Just looking into their eyes feels...

Last updated Mar 8, 2018

Promotion

Which country smokes the most?

China's smoking rate still lags behind Korea's and Japan's (1,711 cigarettes per person in China versus 1,958 in Korea and 1,841 in Japan), but...

Last updated Oct 19, 2019