Discover how generations of Faber-Castell pencil makers sparred in wax-core intrigue and family drama, making the world of pencils less 'dull' than you’d ever expect. Pencil obsessives and Blackwing fans, your oddball SEO prayers are answered.

The Blackwing 602's demise in 1998 wasn't just about a broken ferrule machine; it was a perfect storm of dwindling sales—plummeting to 1,100 dozen annually—and the prohibitive cost of repairs. This confluence of factors led to the end of an era for this iconic pencil. ([pencilpages.com](https://www.pencilpages.com/articles/blackwing.htm?utm_source=openai))