I still have a lot of back editions of Write Notepads and Field Notes limited edition notebooks that I’m still working my way through. Yes, I use them.

Stationery Trends: Subscription Services Today, Do You Still Use Them?

June 23, 2021

A few years ago, subscription services were all the rage, and it seems like every stationery company had one. Field Notes started the trend, originally known as the “colors” series. Write Notepads and Baron Fig got in on the game, launching a separate subscription service for each of four different product lines (pens, pencils, and hard and softcover notebooks). Blackwing launched its “Volumes” series, where they would issue a quarterly limited edition pencil that subscribers could receive before anyone else had a chance to buy. Supposedly, the rationale behind these subscriptions was that they would allow small makers to have a guaranteed revenue stream up front from subscriptions, which they could then use to make smaller runs of more experimental products that would otherwise be too speculative or cost-prohibitive. Originally, this was a good idea. It allowed Field Notes to test ideas for pocket notebooks beyond the original Kraft Paper design, and now the special and limited run products make up a majority of the Field Notes line. Similarly, the Volumes program allowed Blackwing to “field test” different pencil finishes and graphite grades that eventually made their way into the standard lineup. (Hello, Blackwing Natural and the Extra-Firm graphite!)

The last four editions of Blackwing Volumes, from left in no particular order: Blackwing 3 (“Ravi Shankar”); Blackwing XIX (“19th Amendment”), Blackwing 6 (“Neon”), and Blackwing 223 (“Woody Guthrie”).

So where do things stand today? Honestly, apart from Blackwing and Field Notes, it seems like the subscription model could be losing momentum. Write Notepads and Baron Fig discontinued their subscription programs after 1-2 years, in favor of releasing special editions on their own schedules. This could partly be due to the businesses stabilizing and becoming established in the industry, and there for no longer needing to rely on subscriptions to fund their manufacturing, but I can’t help but wonder whether the market for this sort of subscription product is saturated by one or two companies. For example, how many pocket notebooks or pencils does one person actually need? I’m sure there are people out there who go through six or more notebooks and a dozen-plus pencils per quarter, but it can’t be the majority of subscribers. Plus, as companies like Field Notes and Blackwing become established (if not omnipresent in mainstream retailers), the key rationale that drove many to subscribe - that you have to support your favorite small brands through a “guaranteed revenue” program - becomes less compelling. I’m sure that both Field Notes and Blackwing continue to have legions of hardcore fans and healthy subscriber bases, but given how large some of these recent runs are, I do wonder whether the majority of the sales from the special editions comes through retail channels or direct sales to non-subscribers. Are even the Field Notes and Blackwing programs becoming less relevant?

Field Notes recently released “Fifty,” their fiftieth limited edition release. (Disclaimer: The Gentleman Stationer does retail select Field Notes Products) — Field Notes recently released “Fifty,” their *fiftieth* limited edition release. (Disclaimer: The Gentleman Stationer does retail select Field Notes Products)

Personally, the only subscription service to which I still belong is Blackwing Volumes, but even that I’m questioning. Not that I don’t like Blackwing, it’s just that I have so many pencils I would prefer not to receive them by default and only purchase those editions that really strike me as special. My recent favorite special editions have actually been the Blackwing store-exclusives, “Eras” releases, and non-Volumes “Blackwing X” collaborations, such as the Third Man Records pencil and the “Hardest Job in the World” edition. While I think the last four Blackwing Volumes pencils have been “good,” I can’t help but wonder why they are moving so much good stuff outside of the subscription program, away from those who are, presumably, their most devoted fans?

I’d be curious to know how many of you still subscribe to stationery subscription services. What do you like and dislike about the option to subscribe? What keeps you coming back?

(This is not “market research”, just genuine curiosity. I have no desire to launch or participate in any sort of subscription service, so I’ll get that out of the way up front. As you all know, I’ve previously written on what sometimes feels like the stationery industry’s fixation on limited and special releases, so this post is intended to continue the discussion along those lines.)

A Hot Streak for Blackwing

July 29, 2020

A few weeks back I wrote a piece on my top 10 Blackwing Volumes editions, but I may have spoken too soon because, wow, since then I’ve had an opportunity to get my hands on some really good pencils. Technically, two editions I plan to discuss today aren’t part of the “Volumes” subscription program. Rather, they’re either special releases Blackwing has issued with select retail partners (i.e., the Philadelphia Museum of Art) or a special “throwback” edition released to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Blackwing’s revival (the “Blackwing Eras” pencil).

From top: Blackwing Volume 840 (“Surf”); Blackwing x Philadelphia Museum of Art (“Diana”); Blackwing Volume 3 (“Ravi Shankar”); and Blackwing Eras

The Blackwing Eras Is Now My Favorite Blackwing Released to Date

Yes, even more than my beloved Blackwing 344 (Dorothea Lange). With the “Eras” release, Blackwing set out to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the brand’s 2010 “revival” by releasing a pencil that pays “homage to the past and celebration of the future of Blackwing”, borrowing throwback design elements from vintage Blackwing pencils. The Eras feature a dark grey barrel, the “iconic dark grey ferrule with gold stripe,” a darker gold imprint, a red eraser reminiscent of a vintage Pink Pearl, and the extra-firm graphite core. To be perfectly honest, I prefer the look of the Blackwing Eras over the look of the current Blackwing 602, from the darker lacquer and ferrule to the slightly different tone on the imprint and eraser. The extra-firm graphite has become a favorite, and by including it in the Eras edition, Blackwing is apparently confirming what many have said: that it’s the closest approximation to the graphite formulation used in the original pencil.

If you’re a Blackwing fan, get yourself at least one pack of these pencils. While I personally would love it if Blackwing replaced the current 602 with the Eras (or at least updated the 602 to incorporate the retro design elements of the Eras), this pencil is billed as a limited edition. The pencils have not hit retailers yet, but you can order directly from Blackwing.

Other Recent Releases Aren’t So Shabby Either

At the time I published my “Top 10” post, I was still awaiting the arrival of Blackwing Volume 3: the Ravi Shankar edition. The matte yellow finish (“turmeric”, according to Blackwing) showcases an overlaid pattern inspired by the design of one of Ravi Shankar’s sitars. While this pencil might not be exactly what those clamoring for a yellow Blackwing were expecting, I found the execution on this pencil superb, and it also features the popular extra-firm graphite.

I found two other recent arrivals very well done pencils, but they do feature the “balanced” (i.e., Blackwing Pearl") core that people either love or hate. I’m ambivalent - the balanced core isn’t my favorite, but I don’t hate it either, especially when it’s packaged in great looking editions like the Blackwing x PMA Diana from the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Blackwing Volumes 840 “Surf” edition. The Diana pencils feature a monochromatic gold scheme inspired by August Saint-Gaudens’ sculpture of Diana housed in the PMA’s Great Stair Hall. It’s a standard edition that can be purchased from the Philadelphia Museum of Art online or in the museum gift shop. The sea green and gold “Surf” pencil, inspired by surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku, is unfortunately no longer available directly from Blackwing, but some retailers still have remaining stock, and Blackwing is still selling three-packs of the Volume 840 “Clutch” Pocket Notebook Set.

A Note on Blackwing’s New Packaging: Bring Back the Flat Pack

One thing I’m NOT crazy about is Blackwing’s new retail packaging, which I saw for the first time at the National Stationery Show back in January. As part of a recent brand refresh, Blackwing discontinued it’s “flat pack” box in favor of new “vertical” packaging that was plainly designed to make it easier for brick-and-mortar retailers to display the pencils. While the box looks great on a shelf, it’s less convenient for the customer who purchases multiple boxes, because storing these things takes up more space than the old flat box, which packed perfectly into drawers. Most enthusiasts have had a similar reaction to the new packaging, but given how much Blackwing has invested in the rebrand, I’m not sure anything will change. You can’t have it all!

On the other hand, if you want to keep an entire box of Blackwings on your desk, the new box does serve as a nice pencil cup.

Disclaimer: I purchased the pencils featured in this review with my own funds, for my own collection. I was not compensated in any way for this review and all opinions expressed are my own.

My Top 10 Blackwing Volumes Pencils

June 27, 2020

Most stationery subscription services haven’t stuck with me. Around this same time last year, I wrote an article titled “Are Stationery Subscription Services Worth It?” in which I looked at the pros and cons of having a steady stream of new releases automatically coming to your mailbox. Personally, nothing much has changed since then in terms of my own situation. I still subscribe to both Blackwing Volumes and C.W. Pencil Enterprise’s “Pencil Box” subscription service. Though I considered resubscribing to Field Notes in light of the great releases they’ve put out over the past year, I don’t use enough pocket notebooks to justify it. (Anyway, now that I’m both a Field Notes and Write Notepads retailer, this isn’t such a big deal, as I have an endless supply of notebooks if I see an edition I like or I somehow run out. In many ways, the problem is worse, because I have this constant temptation to raid the store inventory for my personal stash, but that’s a story for a different time.)

So what keeps me coming back to Blackwing Volumes? It’s not as though I’m using up a dozen of each release on a monthly, or even an annual, basis. Honestly, it’s more about supporting the brand’s creativity and guaranteeing that I’m able to enjoy each of the releases, which can sell out quickly. If there’s one I don’t particularly like, or if the pencils pile up to the point where I can’t use them all, pencils are easy to give away, and I have a school-age child.

It’s easy to see which Volumes get the most use.

What I realized while waiting for Blackwing Volume 3 (Ravi Shankar) to arrive, is that I’ve never done a deep dive and talked about my favorite Blackwings, and with so many special editions having been released over the past few years there are some exceptional pencils to choose from. As a relatively long-term subscriber, I have most of the editions in my personal stash, with the exception of the very early ones. Here are my favorites:

Blackwing Volume 344: Dorothea Lange. It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that I have a half gross of these tucked away. The combination of the deep red burgundy barrel, red imprint, and bright red ferrule - well, other than maybe the upcoming Volume 3, I’m not sure there’s a pencil that’s a better fit for my personal taste.
Blackwing Volume 211: John Muir. I don’t have many 211s left, but I honestly prefer the standard release Blackwing Natural, with it’s grey eraser and extra-firm graphite. (I actually think I only have a single 211 left, and I couldn’t find it, which is why the Natural appears in the photo at the top.)
Blackwing Volume 10: Nellie Bly. An underrated release that doesn’t get enough love. The simplicity of the matte grey finish, inspired by newsprint, makes this a pencil I could use everyday.
Blackwing Volume 73: Lake Tahoe. The raised texture on this pencil gets me. Plus, this one features Blackwing’s softest graphite found in the original Blackwing MMX (now the “Blackwing Matte”).
Blackwing Volume 24: John Steinbeck. I love this pencil not only for the blacked-out color scheme, but because it’s the first Blackwing pencil to feature their “extra-firm” graphite, which is an excellent choice for drafting and long-form writing. I sometimes swap out the black eraser for a pink one, just to add a little contrast.
Blackwing Volume 16.2: Ada Lovelace. I’m not a computer programmer, or even that technologically adept, but I love the combination of the white barrel and black ferrule.
Blackwing Volume 1: Guy Clark. The first (and to date, only) Blackwing Volumes editions to feature a round barrel. While I’m a Nashville native, and maintain some familiarity with country music, I’ve never been a huge Guy Clark fan, but I certainly appreciate how they pulled this one together.
Blackwing Volume 155: Bauhaus. Of course this one was going to make the list. My collection of Bauhaus-inspired writing instruments increases yet again.
Blackwing Volume 530: California Gold Rush. The second Blackwing pencil to feature the extra-firm graphite, this model was a tribute to California Historical Site No. 530, where gold was first discovered. The banded ferrule added another unique touch to a pencil that’s a favorite for many.
Blackwing Volume 4: Mars. Volume 4 was somewhat controversial due to the gritty texture of the paint, but the combination of the dark orange barrel, gunmetal ferrule, and the soft MMX graphite keeps this one in my rotation.

All pencils pictured here are from my own personal collection. As of 2024, The Gentleman Stationer is now an authorized retailer of Blackwing, so you can purchase directly from us and show your support!

Are Stationery Subscription Services Worth It? (Or, Why Do I Need All These Blackwings?)

June 29, 2019

Subscription services of all kinds are having their moment. Whether it be books, vinyl records, food, clothes, quirky pop culture swag, or, yes, stationery, the rise of vocal communities of internet enthusiasts has revitalized the market for the old concept of the “book of the month” or “record of the month” club. If you’re of a certain age, you’ll remember (fondly or not) those promotions where you could get nine different books/records/CDs/tapes up front in exchange for subscribing to the monthly club, and agreeing to buy at least four of whatever over the next year. Some of these clubs were legit, and occasionally you could get some good books or albums, but what you usually ended up with was a monthly shipment of whatever item the record company or publisher had in overstock (translation: that they couldn’t sell at retail). I don’t recall any of my friends becoming longstanding members or subscribers - most of us just bought our three CDs and cancelled. (And, of course, subscribed again under your dog’s name to get another nine free CDs.)

Today’s riff on the mail order subscription service is less about freebies and discounts than about offering your customers willing to pay extra some combination of first access to new products, exclusive “members only” releases, or a curated experience in which the member gets a box of stuff specially selected for them. For stationery, the two most popular options are the Blackwing Volumes pencil subscription service and the Field Notes pocket notebook subscription service (formerly Field Notes “Colors”). I’ve subscribed to both, along with the now-discontinued Write Notepads subscription. Currently, Blackwing Volumes is my only active subscription. I’m asked a lot about whether I think these subscriptions services are a good idea. Here are my thoughts.

So what do I like about being able to subscribe?

You don’t miss any limited edition releases. I prefer brand-specific subscription services. If there’s a brand that I enjoy, such as Blackwing, I can subscribe to the Blackwing Volumes program and ensure that I’m among the first to receive a dozen of each new limited edition pencil without having to remember to place an order. I did the same with Write Notepads before that service was discontinued. (BRING IT BACK, CHRIS!!!)
You support a brand you really enjoy. For me, this is probably the most compelling reason to subscribe. If you like a brand, and want to make sure they keep releasing special editions (or stick around in general), paying for a year’s worth of their limited releases in advance gives the company a predictable revenue stream that allows them to plan for the future.
You get a slight break on price. Blackwing recently raised their prices on the Volumes editions, so by subscribing you get $2-3 off retail.
Subscriber extras in the box. Brand-specific swag isn’t a particularly big draw for me, but some people collect this stuff. Of more interest are special promotional codes with discounts on “subscriber days,” and sometimes “members-only” sales where you can purchase limited-run products.

While I was writing this review, I made a point of sharpening one of each Volumes edition, just to make a point to myself that I’m going to use all of them.

Downsides to Subscription Services

For me there’s really only major downside: Hoarding and paying for things you don’t need or won’t use. It’s why I discontinued my Field Notes subscription. I like Field Notes fine, but I realized I was subscribing simply to collect the latest design of the notebooks, whereas from a practicality/usability perspective there were other brands whose paper I enjoyed more. I still use Field Notes occasionally, but not enough to justify having nearly three dozen pocket notebooks shipped to me every year, which only adds to the never ending S.A.B.L.E. stash. For Pete’s sake, use this stuff, don’t hoard it! A major issue I have with the “limited edition” culture pervading stationery - and pretty much everything else these days - is that it encourages a mentality where all the things are meant to be kept sealed, unused, and pristine in a box and later sold on eBay for $150 for a dozen pencils or a three-pack of pocket notebooks. I don’t get it.

So that begs the question: What am I going to do with all these pencils? Fortunately, I have a daughter entering Kindergarten this year, so these pencils will get used one way or another. (She’s already started raiding my stationery cabinet for drawing supplies.) I’m also starting to use more pencils at work, and have become more proactive in giving them away when people come up to me at work and express interest.

Conclusions and Final Thoughts

Are subscription services “worth it?” Honestly, it just depends on your personal reasons for subscribing. If you find yourself enjoying everything that a brand has released over the past year, go for it. Personally, I’ve enjoyed all of the past four Blackwing Volumes editions, including the vinyl-themed Blackwing 33 1/3 edition that nobody else seemed to appreciate. I have no regrets about re-upping my subscription, and in fact I wish I had subscribed a year earlier. On the other hand, if you find yourself not using or not appreciating all of the various releases, or if you’re simply looking to save money, I’d discourage you from subscribing because the few dollars you might save off the retail pricing are more than offset by the 1-2 quarterly releases you won’t be crazy about and wouldn’t buy other than through the subscription program.

You’ll notice that my personal experience extends only to brand-specific/limited release subscription services, not any of the “curated” stationery boxes that are available. Those include the CW Pencils Pencil Box Quarterly Subscription, which offers a curated selection of pencil-related goodness four times a year for $30 per box, the Rad and Hungry kits that bring you stationery from different travel destinations around the world, Art Snacks (focused on art supplies), and even fountain pen ink sample subscriptions such as Ink Flight, where you can get a set of five new inks sent to you monthly. If you’re interested in trying out new products that you might not otherwise pick up yourself, you might enjoy a curated box!

Disclaimer: I purchased each of the products featured in this review with my own funds, for my own use. I was not compensated for this review.

Pencil Review: The (Palomino) Blackwing Pearl

November 1, 2017

The Blackwing Pearl is the third and - so far - final iteration of CalCedar’s Blackwing revival. Ironically, this was the Blackwing release that I was most excited about, yet it’s also the one that was the biggest letdown in terms of performance. On paper, the Pearl should be my favorite pencil. I love the pearlescent white lacquer, and white pencils are uncommon. Per Blackwing’s description, the Pearl also features “a balanced and smooth graphite core that is softer than the graphite found in the Blackwing 602, but firmer than the graphite found in the Blackwing.” In other words, a dark pencil like the original Blackwing with better point retention for writers. So what gives?

Multiple people have observed that the graphite core in the Pearl smears more than the core in the original Blackwing, despite being firmer. I’ve had the same experience, and for that reason alone I prefer the original Blackwing and/or the 602. I have a thing about being able to write on both sides of a piece of paper, and a pencil that smears and ghosts drives me crazy.

A writing sample of all three Blackwing pencils, plus a "one pass" smear test. Notice the Pearl at the bottom,

That’s not to say that the Pearl is a bad pencil - far from it - it’s much less smeary than a lot of other pencils, but if I’m shelling out $22 for a dozen Blackwings, and can get a darker line and less smearing and ghosting with the original and a perfectly adequate dark line with the 602, that leaves the Pearl as the odd-pencil-out. (I can actually tell very little difference between the point retention on the original Blackwing pencil and the Pearl, by the way, though the Pearl is slightly harder.)

The three Blackwing finishes, from top: (1) Blackwing original; (2) Blackwing 602; and (3) Blackwing Pearl

As with their other pencils, Blackwing recently revised the design of the Pearl, which now differs from the pencil pictured here. While the Pearl still features the white finish, Blackwing has changed the imprint from black to gold and swapped in a white eraser. I’ve not seen the “new Pearl” in person, so I can’t say for sure how I feel, but this seems like a mixed bag. The white eraser looks nice, but the gold imprint…? I think I might prefer the black.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Like the other pencils, Blackwing has featured the Pearl’s “smooth and balanced” graphite core in its series of limited edition “Blackwing Volumes” pencils, including the recently released Volume 1, a tribute to the singer-songwriter Guy Clark, and Volume 725, the initial limited edition Blackwing with a “sunburst” finish, based on Bob Dylan’s electric guitar at the Newport Music Festival. For some reason, the Pearl core has appeared in the music-themed editions. Intentional?....

As of 2024, The Gentleman Stationer is now an authorized retailer of Blackwing, so you can purchase directly from us and show your support!

The Pearl (top) compared against the Blackwing Volumes 1, which is a round pencil with a gray wash.

This review is the third installment of an anticipated multipart review of the various Blackwing pencils on the market today. If you liked this post, please check out Part I - my review of the original Palomino Blackwing with some background on the revival of the brand, Part II - my review of the Blackwing 602, as well as my earlier review of the Blackwing line of notebooks.

Disclaimer: I purchased the pencils featured in this review with my own funds, for my own use. This post contains affiliate links.