Blackwing pencil fans range from Leonard Bernstein to Faye Dunaway and everyone in between. (John Steinbeck literally called it the best he's ever had.) The original Blackwing was first produced in the 1930s as a premium pencil — you can tell by the gold hardware, the flat eraser, the unusual ferrule, and the prominent logo. Discontinued in the 1990s and sought-after ever since, the original is back for good. And more important than a cool history or famous fanbase is the functionality: it really is a premium pencil. And it looks great on your desk.