Thanks for a very good video. I've been using these for about 30 years and they are great pencils for both drawing and writing. I write with the F grade as the point retention/darkness ratio is superb. Blackwing are over-priced for what they are: a Japanese pencil (which is allegedly made by Kitaboshi), which is falsely trading on the real Eberhard Faber Blackwing 602 legacy. The Mono 100 has been in production since 1967, and was designed as a competitor to to the Hi Uni range. There is a very detailed article about the evolution of the Tombow and Uni pencils on the "Pencil Talk" blog.
I've always wanted to try a Blackwing, but there are two deterrents: 1. They cost basically a week's worth of groceries. 2. The eraser makes them incredibly ugly. If I'm spending that much money on a box of pencils, said pencils should look like they're ready for a night out on the town. I'm liking this Tombow alternative. I prefer pencils without erasers. Thanks for sharing!
I only discovered Blackwing recently. I started with the Matte because I like soft lead. It’s become my first choice whereas in the past I was always a Staedtler fan. The other day I thought I’d use one of my trusted Red/Black Staedtlers but the lead felt “oily” to me. The Blackwing is quite messy, but I’m a messy writer. A just happened to have received one of the Tombows in a recent pencil sampler but haven’t use it until today. It’s pretty good but I still prefer the Blackwing.
The Blackwing is a smoother writing feel. The Mono 100 gives a bit more feedback. I find them both to have very durable leads. I use a holder for my Mono that has a clip and eraser. It also allows usage of the pencil when it’s too short to hold. For me, the Mono is a working pencil and the Blackwing is one I like for straight up writing. Can’t go wrong with either.
Very enjoyable comparison video -- thank you! And if you ever need a third pencil "just in case" your lifetime supply of both Blackwings and Mono 100s end I recommend the Mitsubishi Hi-Uni!
The Mitsubishi are very nice, particularly the ""MITSU-BISHI"" lettering (including the quote marks, which is why I put double quote marks here). However, some are also marked "GENERAL WRITING", which doesn't work for me, as I often want to write something specific.
I hated the fact that I liked the Blackwings so much, having assumed the hype was bullshit. But there really is something very nice about them. However, the Mono is is the same league, merely slightly different. Here in Britain, the Monos can be had for around £2 each, and the Blackwings for about £2.50. I wanted to ask you, Lukas, if you've tried or considered the Mono in 2B? That grade and the B are thought of as the nonpareil by animators and other professional users.
![ian - Fit Check (Feat. VonOff1700) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/sDGWDBg45Dw/mqdefault.jpg)
The idea of a pencil experiencing a 'rebirth' each time it's sharpened is such a beautiful metaphor.
Thanks for a very good video. I've been using these for about 30 years and they are great pencils for both drawing and writing. I write with the F grade as the point retention/darkness ratio is superb. Blackwing are over-priced for what they are: a Japanese pencil (which is allegedly made by Kitaboshi), which is falsely trading on the real Eberhard Faber Blackwing 602 legacy. The Mono 100 has been in production since 1967, and was designed as a competitor to to the Hi Uni range. There is a very detailed article about the evolution of the Tombow and Uni pencils on the "Pencil Talk" blog.
I've always wanted to try a Blackwing, but there are two deterrents:
1. They cost basically a week's worth of groceries.
2. The eraser makes them incredibly ugly. If I'm spending that much money on a box of pencils, said pencils should look like they're ready for a night out on the town.
I'm liking this Tombow alternative. I prefer pencils without erasers. Thanks for sharing!
Enjoyed the comparison very much! Excellent video! Thanks for sharing it!
I only discovered Blackwing recently. I started with the Matte because I like soft lead. It’s become my first choice whereas in the past I was always a Staedtler fan. The other day I thought I’d use one of my trusted Red/Black Staedtlers but the lead felt “oily” to me. The Blackwing is quite messy, but I’m a messy writer.
A just happened to have received one of the Tombows in a recent pencil sampler but haven’t use it until today. It’s pretty good but I still prefer the Blackwing.
The Blackwing is a smoother writing feel. The Mono 100 gives a bit more feedback. I find them both to have very durable leads. I use a holder for my Mono that has a clip and eraser. It also allows usage of the pencil when it’s too short to hold.
For me, the Mono is a working pencil and the Blackwing is one I like for straight up writing. Can’t go wrong with either.
Very enjoyable comparison video -- thank you! And if you ever need a third pencil "just in case" your lifetime supply of both Blackwings and Mono 100s end I recommend the Mitsubishi Hi-Uni!
The Mitsubishi are very nice, particularly the ""MITSU-BISHI"" lettering (including the quote marks, which is why I put double quote marks here). However, some are also marked "GENERAL WRITING", which doesn't work for me, as I often want to write something specific.
I hated the fact that I liked the Blackwings so much, having assumed the hype was bullshit. But there really is something very nice about them. However, the Mono is is the same league, merely slightly different. Here in Britain, the Monos can be had for around £2 each, and the Blackwings for about £2.50.
I wanted to ask you, Lukas, if you've tried or considered the Mono in 2B? That grade and the B are thought of as the nonpareil by animators and other professional users.
i think Tombow would be my choice because I'm very sensitive to that feeling that the lead might break.
What is the hardness you used? looks tempting… is it one hardness for all the pencils in the set?
My favorite things: Tokyo Toilet cleaners and BFP.