HOUSE OF GRAPHITE

The Black Warrior is a long-running American writing pencil launched by the Eagle Pencil Co. as model No. 372; the "Mirado" name was attached to it in 1993 under Berol, and it is now produced by Paper Mate (Newell Brands). It is a round, black matte-lacquered cedar pencil with a red-banded gold ferrule and a pink eraser, currently sold in a single No. 2 (HB) grade with dark, soft graphite for everyday writing and office use. Originally made in the USA, current production is in Mexico; the older Eagle and Berol line was also offered in a range of harder and softer grades (roughly No. 1 through No. 4) that are no longer made. This specimen: Black Warrior 372 in grade No. 2 (HB).