pencils! help!!

[WiseOwlKnits]

Are Ticonderoga pencils really that much better than other pencils? I'm dreading another year of pencils breaking every time we turn around. I vaguely remember a discussion about them a while back and I'm looking for any more updated opinions about them.

 

Thanks!!

[KerriF]

I think they are much better. It is the only type of pencil I'll use now. Staples has a coupon in the Sunday paper for them right now.

 

hth

 

Kerri

[NicksMama-Zack's Mama Too]

I think they've changed something... Many here have complained about how down hill they've gone...

 

Currently, my oldest prefers Paper-Mate Black Warriors. My youngest and I have grown quite fond of mechanical pencils.

 

hth

 

K

[Mom25girls]

I was told (at Staples) that Ticonderoga pencils are now made in Mexico. There is a difference in the lead. When it's sharpened, it frequently gets wiggly. My little girls call it a "Loose tooth pencil." We're using Black Warriors and mechanical pencils this year. I've always been a "Dixon Ticonderoga #2 soft only" kind of a person but I just couldn't stand tossing out the pieces of lead :/

[Strengthen My Hands]

Not only is the pencil important, so is the sharpener!! This one is fantastic : http://www.samflaxny.com/browse.cfm/4,7982.html

[Amy in TX]

I used to love Ticonderoga, but last year we found the quality to be awful (constant breakage). We're using mechanical pencils this year.

[LaissezFaire]

We only use the yellow mechanical pencils that I think are made by papermate. They are pricey but they don't break like every other pencil we try.

[Cinder]

I think they've changed something... Many here have complained about how down hill they've gone...

 

Currently' date=' my oldest prefers Paper-Mate Black Warriors. My youngest and I have grown quite fond of mechanical pencils.

 

hth

 

K[/quote']

 

This was our experience w/Ticonderoga, too. Used to be great, but lately, not so much. Our last experience w/Mirado Black Warrior (about a year ago) was very good. We mostly use Paper Mate mechanical pencils (w/0.7 mm lead) anymore.

 

Cinder

[Sandy in Indy]

Black Warrior pencils are great! They're the only ones I buy now.

[Tap]

Ticonderoga have gone way down hill since they changed the manufacturing location.

 

Black Warriors are now on the top of the pencil hierarchy (FYI...they come in black and yellow). I have never had a bad Black Warrior and we have used them for years!

[wy_kid_wrangler04]

I have never paid attention to what pencils I bought. So I just got up and looked. I get the Dixon ones. I have never had any problems with them breaking (unless dc are being goofy, which NEVER happens at my house- do you believe me?? LOL) So I guess I would vote for those! They even hold up to my 5 y/o son :D

[WiseOwlKnits]

Thanks guys!! I won't waste my money on them. Where do you get Black Warrior pencils?

 

Wy_kid, I'll look for Dixon ones too. We go through pencils like they're running out of style. LOL!

[wy_kid_wrangler04]

Wy_kid, I'll look for Dixon ones too. We go through pencils like they're running out of style. LOL!

 

On sale at walmart for 94 cents a box :D

[Tap]

Thanks guys!! I won't waste my money on them. Where do you get Black Warrior pencils?

 

Wy_kid, I'll look for Dixon ones too. We go through pencils like they're running out of style. LOL!

 

FYI: Dixon makes Ticonderoga.

 

 

Black Warriors are for sale at most places during the school supply season. Walgreen's, Dollar Tree, Walmart, Target etc. They are usually hanging up on tags instead of in boxes. A good price is #6-8/$1.00. Regular price is about $2.50/8. I have seen them for less than a $1 but not often.

[mum]

We have gone for mechanical pencils, especially for ones who press too hard. Otherwise I stock up on LOTS of whatever when they go on sale super cheap at Walmart. I have a pot of them, and refill whenever needed. I have too much stress in my life to be out of pencils. I buy enough for the whole year and then it's done.

[flobee76]

I picked up a pack of USA Gold pencils at Target today. They are made in the USA, of American cedar, high quality graphite cores, non-latex erasers (quote from the back).

 

$1.77/ 12pk Kinda pricey, but if it's made in the USA, I'll buy it! ;)

[Karen in CO]

I switched to 2B art pencils instead. Last year, my dd9 used 1 pencil which lasted the whole year. We sharpened with a metal pencil sharpener. The pencils cost about $1 each, but it was a much better value than all of those packages of pencils.

[Daisy]

Agreeing with others. I bought a gross of yellow Ticonderoga pencils last year and the entire box was trash. The lead just kept falling out. I just thought the box had been dropped or something, but I see now that it is a bigger problem.

 

Now I buy black Ticonderoga pencils and they are better.

[Negin]

These are our favorites.

 

But generally, most of us loathe pencils. We weren't even allowed to use pencils in schools when I was growing up in Britain and later here in Grenada. By the age of 7 or 8, we all had to use pens, and preferably fountain/ink pens - which I didn't care for either. Just give me a regular nice medium-point pen and I'm good to go. :)

[Carrie12345]

I've tried a bunch of different brands, including the "big ones". Honestly, the way my kids lose pencils, it doesn't make sense for me to pay more or hunt a brand down. I just grab whatever now.

 

We did have issues with the pencils Lillian Vernon uses. The kids got a bunch in their stockings one year. But they got lost pretty quickly, too. :glare:

[Tammyla]

Black Warriors are preferred here. We've been using the same two packs for almost three years. ;)

 

We also have the Ticonderogas, but they pretty much stay in the pencil cups. They do erase smoother than other pencils though. imo.

[ProudGrandma]

I bought about bunch of the Ticonderoga this year becasue they were SO HIGHLY recommended by this board last year...but I, too, thought they were horrible and until now, I couldn't see why you guys all thought they were so great! So Black Warrior, huh? I guess I am off to buy some more pencils...UGH!

[chanda7]

Has anyone had any luck finding Black Warriors in TN? We used to buy them at Walgreen's, but it has stopped carrying them. I have looked for them everywhere, even while I was in vacation in NC.

[Scuff]

I bought a huge supply of the Dixon Ticonderoga's (they say Dixon, but when you read the fine print on the back it's the same company) that were on sale last year at Walmart for $1. Just bought a few more. They worked fine and didn't break.

[ma23peas]

We never thought we'd like mechanical pencils, always had used Ticonderoga..but have the same exp. others have..quality not as good....I bought a two pack of $5 mechanical pencils (they were on sale for $1) and they're awesome! The kids fight over them...so next year when they have their sales at STaples/OD..I'm stocking up on them...I'd never pay $5..but at a buck for 2 and they came with enough lead to last us a year (about 40 stems came with this deal) it's a steal! They have a quality button on the side that extends teh lead out and has grippers like a well made pen...

 

Tara