Never tried Blackwing pencils, so can't speak about them.

I am going to be very very pedantic here so read on for entertain purposes....

I don't like the unusual shape of blackwing pencils' erasers. They break the symmetry of the entire pencil.

However, I like dixon ticonderoga the most since they are a good balance of quality and price.

But, I usually use mechanical pencils. And I am very particular about which kinds to use.

My favorite overall is "Autopoint". This company has been out of business for many years, perhaps decades so I only have a "vintage" collection of those which I use regularly.

This is what they look like: https://www.newegg.com/autopoint-inc-all-american-ink-lead-r...

Here is my criteria for a perfect (to me) mechanical pencil: - retractable tip/nib - always exposed eraser (there should be no cap etc.) - replaceable eraser (should be as thick as eraser at back of wooden pencils) - no fancy buttons - pocket clip

The best mechanical pencil I have tried that feels just right and is balanced, is P209. However, it doesn't have a retractable tip and the eraser is not exposed. If it did have retractable tip. I wish it did.

The one that really comes close is Faber-Castell grip matic 0.7mm. It is almost perfect! It has retractable nib, and an always exposed eraser which also retracts! And a great grip!

Alas, it has two problems: the eraser is twist up type which is fine, but when you erase with it, it twists and retracts back inside. Also the eraser encasing is a flimsy plastic that gets loose over time. Ugh! You were so close!!!