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A popular topic for discussion among Blackwing fans—especially for those whose precious reserve has all but evaporated—is whether some other pencil could equal the Blackwing 602. Before making comparisons from without, I wanted to explore an oft-repeated statement, that the Blackwing core lived on in the Microtomic 603, especially the 4B. Is this statement true to a chemical certainty? I have no idea. It took quite some time to acquire the samples I needed—both a 4B and a 3B—and the results were stunningly close.
I’m not a big believer in publishing writing samples as a definitive means to otherwise “prove” something about pencils; there are too many mitigating variables. But I’m posting a picture for the sake of illustrating what I did.
It’s hard to tell by this picture, but it’s equally as difficult to see much of a difference in person. There are only very slight differences in these three pencils. It’s too hard for me to say whether the 3B or the 4B is closer in terms of degree, only because the slightest change in hand pressure could create a significant change. I think under “normal” writing circumstances, the 4B would be the closer of the two, but just barely.
The Tactile
I wish it were possible to truly put together a blind test (perhaps I will one day using pencil extenders), but being as objective as possible the first thing I noticed was how things sounded. Yes, you read correctly, how things sounded. There’s a reason for this: as a musician, it’s not unusual to notice subtle differences in timbre, especially when those differences (in a musical context) can bring with them profound changes in interpretation. Now, let me state very clearly that listening to pencils is not part of my evaluation process—personal or professional—in any way. (In fact, I hope that’s true of just about everyone.) I’m mentioning it because something very noticeable occurred. The degree to which the Microtomic pencils were at all scratchy seemed more pronounced than with the Blackwing. But there’s an explanation for this: the Microtomics are essentially one piece with a small metal cap whereas the Blackwing has a pronounced ferrule and eraser, which would dampen vibration throughout the pencil. This prompted me to start again and focus completely on how things felt, since my ears were sending me competing information.
I still think that the Blackwing is smoother than the Microtomics, but it is so negligible I’m not sure it’s worth mentioning. Could it be then that the Blackwing core lived on, at least for a time, in the Microtomic line? It seems plausible, just as I could see adopting the 3B or 4B for regular use.
Oh yeah. They stopped making those, too.
Update 7/18/11: Apparently, how a pencil sounds was important enough to Eberhard Faber that it was part of a 1940s ad campaign. Note how the young lady has some paper wrapped around the pencil in order to amplify the sound (and that you can get a “sound tester” for free!).
Andy @ Woodclinched said:
That’s really interesting! I may have to try to track down a Microtomic. Where did you find yours?
And I know what you mean about listening to pencils. I’ve never really thought about it before, but I am cognizant of the sound they make. Maybe it should be part of the evaluation process. I’ve used pencils that sound very metallic across the paper. I’ve used pencils that scratch dryly, like a fingernail against dry skin or chalk on a blackboard. The best pencils barely make a sound at all, a faint rubbing sound. That might make for an interesting comprehensive review someday.
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Michael Leddy said:
The Microtomic is a strangely beautiful pencil. And I like its mid-century-sounding name. Some years back I found several dozens in the wilds of downstate Illinois.
Is that part of a chorale you’ve written out? (That’s my wife’s guess.)
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Sean said:
Hi Michael,
More of a part-writing example than an actual chorale, but yes, a chorale by any other name. 😉
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John G. said:
I have to mention your handwriting: excellent (and this from a veteran of 12 years of Catholic school, including 8 of handwriting!). 🙂
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Sean said:
Thanks, John, that’s nice of you to say.
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Adair said:
Sean! Welcome back! I only checked your blog again by accident, and what a pleasant surprise to find it reactiviated.
As usual, you touch upon pencils dear to me. I love the Microtomic, and some versions have the same crimped ferrule as the Blackwing. The Microtomic seems to have developed out of the Van Dyke (also crimped ferrule) and then become associated with engineering needs. Some of the advertising from the 50’s for this pencil is wonderful, full of atomic orbits and rocketships. One of the Microtomic slogans was: “For Modern Minds, With a Feel for the Future.” Compared to the Blackwing, it is more suited for writing, as the lead wears down less, even at 3B. It is the only pencil that I like using even at 3H—it remains sufficiently dark even at the high grades, and of course keeps a super-sharp point.
Welcome back.
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Sean said:
Thanks, Adair. I hadn’t known about that slogan – that’s great! Yes, from what I know “microtomic” at first referred to the proprietary state of the cores and then made its way to the name of that particular line. I love the old Van Dykes, always on the lookout for them.
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Patrick said:
Adair, agreed! I’m actually using a Microtomic today, grade “H”. It is darker than most at that grade and similar to most “HB” grades I’ve used.
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Stephen said:
Some beautiful photos, as well as great observations!
I have a box of Van Dyke 600 pencils. There is small flyer that also serves to separate the two rows of pencils. It invites a hearing test (bolding and capitalization following that of the flyer):
“HEAR the difference in sound when using the MICROTOMIC VAN DYKE. No rasping, no scratching – convincing proof of its smoothness.”
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Sean said:
Thanks, Stephen.
Wow! that’s hilarious….here I was trying to distance myself from the appearance of being too invested in a pencil’s performance, when all along “listening” to a pencil is as common as a taste-test for wine. 🙂
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Andy @ Woodclinched said:
Stephen, I would really like to see a photo of that flyer! Would you be willing to share one? Email me at andy [at] welfle [dot] com if you are able.
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Michael Leddy said:
Sean, I thought you must’ve known about this already, but if you don’t, take a look: Sound-testing a MONGOL.
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Sean said:
Thanks so much for that link, Michael. I had not seen that before…
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Adair said:
I just want to add that the Microtomic also came in a “chiselpoint” version as well as in a variety of 2mm leadholder models, the most stunning of which has a crimped eraser (see Leadholder.com).
If I were to find a musical analogy to the Microtomic, it would have to be Stan Kenton’s “Innovations in Modern Music” Orchestra, contemporaneous with the pencil. The band’s rhetoric was all about progress and modernity—“This Modern World” was one of their orchestral pieces. Even the artwork on the albums was sometimes similar to Microtomic advertising. One shows a drawing of Kenton smoking a cigarette and dreaming of the future as he contemplates a night sky full of satellites and distant planets. The Microtomic adverts, for their part, invite you to “share the thrill of scientific achievement” and join “the Microtomic Age!”
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Jankdc said:
HA! Sean, you got them from me. Unfortunately, I just sold the last of the 3b’s. I ran out of the 4B’s a while ago. Interesting comments on the sound, but I disagree. I am still convinced that the lead is different. When you get a chance, take a short blackwing and put it in an extender and see how the sound is.
Glad to see you posting again, love your site.
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Sean said:
Thanks for the comments.
As I mentioned in the article, I think the Blackwing still comes out ahead in terms of smoothness, which would necessitate different lead. But I think the difference is very slight.
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Kevin said:
I know this “sounds” loopy but I believe the way light hits the pencil tip amplifies my enjoyment of the writing/drawing process. With the writing surface sloped toward you at about 20 degrees and a nice light source to the left and upper frontal (right for a left hander) which keeps the shadows behind your work then the exercise turns into one of sublime enjoyment, even better of course if you’re using a top grade pencil as well. Sound, Light….are we talking about pencil use here…yep, we sure are.
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Futural said:
“With the writing surface sloped toward you at about 20 degrees and a nice light source to the left and upper frontal (right for a left hander) which keeps the shadows behind your work ” this sounds like a “sublime enjoyment” I’ll take these words and will work this way on my writing, thanks.
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