Blackwing Pearl: The Balanced Middle Blackwing Pencil
The Blackwing Pearl is the balanced pencil of Blackwing's four core grades: softer than the 602, firmer than the Matte. It has a pearlescent white, pink or blue hexagonal cedar barrel, the flat gold ferrule and a replaceable eraser. Blackwing's Japanese store equates it to about 2B. It launched on May 2, 2013.
On this page
Product facts
- Product
- Blackwing Pearl (balanced graphite, set of 12, white)
- Brand
- Blackwing
- Brand origin
- United States
- Made in
- Japan*
- Material
- Incense-cedar barrel, Japanese graphite core (Blackwing, Amazon US)
- Released
- May 2013*
- Price range
- $under $5 per pencil (multi-packs divided by the count)
- Rate it
Notes on these facts
- Made by California Cedar Products Company (Cal Cedar), Stockton, California. Made in Japan: Tacto Studio lists the Pearl as made in Japan, and the Amazon US listing names "Made in Japan" among its features. Blackwing's own pages say its pencils use California incense-cedar and premium Japanese graphite but don't name the factory country. Source. Price: example listing. Released: Cal Cedar's April 18, 2013 post introduced the Blackwing Pearl and gave May 2, 2013 as its official debut at Pencils.com and other dealers; The Pen Addict reviewed it on May 23, 2013.
- Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026. Conversions to US dollars are approximate, at October 2026 rates (US$1 = ¥158 = ₩1,330 = NT$32.5 = CN¥6.7 = SEK 9.9 = DKK 6.7 = ₺49.6 = C$1.41 = A$1.43 = CZK 21.7; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).
Key takeaways
- Blackwing ranks the Pearl second softest of four core pencils: Matte (soft), Pearl (balanced), 602 (firm) and Natural (extra firm).
- Blackwing's official Japanese store describes the Pearl as soft and roughly equal to 2B.
- Retailers list it at 20.5 cm (8 in) long and 7.5 mm across, sold in boxes of 12.
- Cal Cedar announced the Pearl on April 18, 2013 for a May 2, 2013 debut; the white 12-pack's UPC is 820933110528.
- Its Amazon US 12-pack ranked #17 in Woodcase Lead Pencils with 1,072 ratings on October 22, 2026.
What is the Blackwing Pearl?
The Pearl is Blackwing’s middle-of-the-road pencil: a balanced graphite that sits between the soft Blackwing Matte and the firm Blackwing 602. Blackwing describes it as smooth and balanced, for writing, journaling and sketching.
It wears the brand’s signature flat gold ferrule and a replaceable eraser, on a pearlescent barrel. Cal Cedar introduced it in April 2013, three years after it revived the Blackwing name, as our Blackwing history explains.
How soft is the Blackwing Pearl?
Softer than the 602 but firmer than the Matte; Blackwing’s Japanese store gives about 2B. Blackwing’s US site uses words, not letter grades.
In practice that means a dark line that holds a point a little longer than the Matte. The Pen Addict found the Pearl softer and slightly darker than the 602 in its 2013 review. Our pencil grades explainer covers why one maker’s 2B isn’t another’s.
Blackwing Pearl specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Maker | California Cedar Products Company (Cal Cedar), Stockton, California |
| Graphite | Balanced (Blackwing); roughly 2B (Blackwing Japan) |
| Finish | Pearlescent white, pink or blue |
| Ferrule | Flat, gold-colored |
| Eraser | White, replaceable |
| Length | About 20.5 cm (8 in), unsharpened, with eraser |
| Diameter | About 7.5 mm (0.3 in) |
| Wood | Incense-cedar |
| Pack | 12 pencils; the box doubles as a pencil cup |
| UPC (white, 12) | 820933110528 |
| Japan price | ¥6,600 (about US$42) for 12; ¥550 (about US$3.50) for one |
| Made in | Japan (per retailers) |
| Price band | $ (under $5 a pencil) |
The pink 12-pack’s UPC is 820933111532 and the blue’s 820933111549, per Blackwing’s store.
Pearl, Matte or 602: which should you choose?
Choose the Pearl if you want one Blackwing for everything; the Matte for darker drawing, and the 602 for a point that lasts.
| Matte | Pearl | 602 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graphite | Soft | Balanced | Firm |
| Blackwing Japan equivalent | 3B | 2B | B |
| Barrel | Matte black (also green, red) | Pearl white (also pink, blue) | Gunmetal |
| Eraser | Black | White | Pink |
| Length | About 20.5 cm | About 20.5 cm | About 20.5 cm |
All three share the same size and ferrule, so caps, point guards and erasers swap between them.
How should you sharpen a Blackwing Pearl?
A long-point sharpener suits it; soft graphite breaks less when the point is long and gently tapered. Blackwing sells its One-Step Long Point Sharpener for its pencils, and any sharp hand sharpener works.
The eraser pulls out of the ferrule’s clip, so you can extend it or replace it when it wears down.
Who is the Blackwing Pearl for?
It suits writers who find the 602 a little pale and the Matte too quick to wear down. Journal keepers, students who take notes in pencil, and people who both write and doodle tend to land here.
Blackwing’s store says it is a favourite of calligraphers and illustrators, who like a dark line that still holds an edge. If you mostly shade large areas, the Matte lays down graphite faster; if you write small and want a sharp point for a whole page, the 602 or the extra-firm Natural lasts longer.
Is the Blackwing Pearl popular?
Yes: it is one of the best-selling premium wood pencils on Amazon US. On October 22, 2026 the white 12-pack ranked #17 in Woodcase Lead Pencils, with 1,072 ratings averaging 4.7 stars.
That puts it among bulk school packs that cost a fraction as much per pencil. Blackwing also sells the Pearl in single pencils in Japan and in mixed sets with its other core grades.
Where is the Blackwing Pearl made?
In Japan, according to Tacto Studio and the Amazon US listing. Blackwing says its pencils combine California incense-cedar with premium Japanese graphite but doesn’t name the factory. The brand is American, owned by Cal Cedar of Stockton, California.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Blackwing Pearl softer than the 602?
Yes. Blackwing calls the Pearl balanced and the 602 firm, so the Pearl lays down a slightly darker, softer line. The Pen Addict also found the Pearl softer and a little darker than the 602.
What HB grade is the Blackwing Pearl?
Blackwing's US site gives no letter grade, but its official Japanese store lists the Pearl as roughly 2B. Treat it as a guide; makers' grades don't match exactly.
What colour eraser does the Blackwing Pearl have?
White, according to Blackwing's Japanese store, under a gold-coloured ferrule. The 2013 original had a black eraser, per The Pen Addict's review, and Blackwing sells replacement erasers in several colours.
Does the Blackwing Pearl come in colours?
Blackwing's US store lists the 12-pack in pearlescent white, pink and blue. All three use the same balanced graphite.
Is the Blackwing Pearl good for sketching?
Blackwing says it suits daily writing, journaling and sketching, and calls it a favourite of calligraphers and illustrators. For darker shading, the softer Matte is the usual pick.
Are Blackwing Pearl pencils made in the USA?
No, retailers say Japan. Blackwing is an American brand from Stockton, California, but Tacto Studio and the Amazon US listing give Japan as the country of manufacture.
Sources
- Blackwing: Blackwing Pearl Pencils (Set of 12) (balanced graphite, white, pink or blue, UPCs, box doubles as a pencil cup; read October 22, 2026)
- Blackwing Japan: パール 12本入 (箱付) 【Balanced / 軟らかい 2B相当】 (Pearl 12-pack: roughly 2B, gold imprint and ferrule, white eraser, ¥6,600)
- Blackwing Japan: パール (Pearl, single pencil, ¥550)
- Cal Cedar: Introducing the Blackwing Pearl (April 18, 2013: debut May 2, 2013)
- The Pen Addict: Palomino Blackwing Pearl Review (May 23, 2013: softer and slightly darker than the 602, black eraser)
- Tacto Studio: Blackwing Pearl graphite pencils (20.5 cm, 0.75 cm, made in Japan)
- Amazon US: Blackwing Pearl Pencils, White, 12 Count (UPC 820933110528, made in Japan, rank and ratings read October 22, 2026)