WiseOwlKnits Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 I'm so tired of pencils that break from the minute we open the box! We were using Ticonderoga pencils after the recommendations here, but they STINK ever since they switched to being made in China. My DD can handle mechanical pencils most of the time, but DS doesn't have the ability to use them without breaking them. I literally just watched DD get a brand-new, out of the box pencil. She took it to the sharpener and sharpened it. She didn't even get a chance to write more than 1 letter before it broke. So I resharpened it for her. And I scribbled with it to show her that it was better. It broke. By the time we got it to stop breaking, HALF of the pencil was gone. :cursing: There has to be an answer. Have you found it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohdanigirl Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 I was just about to ask the same question. I am so tired of having to sharpen pencils upteen times everyday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WiseOwlKnits Posted February 18, 2013 Author Share Posted February 18, 2013 I have still been able to find the ones made in Mexico. I just won't buy, when the ones made in China are all that I can find. That's what I did for a while, but I can't find any made in Mexico anymore. I'm so bummed. And tired. And my fingers hurt from sharpening pencils today. (I also got the brilliant idea today to go through their colored pencils stash and sharpen them when I was organizing.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJ. Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Weird. We don't have that problem. Good luck finding something that works better for your family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BakersDozen Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 We are using the Ticonderoga Noir (shimmery silver color, very cool looking) and for the first time ever, pencils are not breaking. At all. Totally worth the investment (although waiting for a great deal on Amazon made it even better; the vendor messing up my order and not charging me at all sweetened the deal, lol). I buy two boxes of pencils for each dc at the beginning of our school year and have never made it this far without running out; I still have 2/3 of my order left, unopened! I love these pencils. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
readinmom Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 I followed a pencil thread through the summer when supplies were going on sale. I invested in the General Cedar Pointe pencils, made in the U.S.A. I bought twelve at Hobby Lobby. (2 packs of 6) These have been great for me. I have not had to sharpen any of them yet. I am very fussy about writing materials, also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhotoGal Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 We have these: http://www.dickblick.com/products/generals-no-2-cedar-pencil/ I love them. The kids have also been using mechanical pencils a lot lately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 We use a lot of the little golf pencils. I have a left over box from our HWT days, and by gosh, we are going to use those things! I have noticed those seem to break less. Less doesn't mean 'at all' just less. I remember in school a teacher telling us to be really careful not to drop our pencils. He said that dropping them broke or cracked the lead inside and made them break more easily. I don't know if that is true, but I did make an effort to not drop my pencils after that. I have had pencils where it was clear that the lead inside was broken in several places. DS1 had one split right down the middle. It was a cool cross section of a pencil (a great learning moment) but still annoying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celia Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Hmmm. I find all this pencil talk perplexing. We've never had issues with pencils. They break sometimes. Get dull. Nothing drastic. No issues with sharpeners either. Maybe you're expecting too much out of your pencils? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Get these: http://www.amazon.co...ref=pd_sbs_op_1 They come in .5,.7 and .9. The lead rarely breaks (esp the .9). One pencil lasts 1.5 years and the lead and erasers last a year. I watch them like a hawk and they NEVER leave the classroom. I get them for about $1-2 a package at Office Max back to school sales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellydon Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Black Warrior pencils are awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violamama Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 We found half-sized mechanical pencils this fall and have been loving them. We also love the star wars pencils from target with ridiculously heavy jedi-shaped erasers. So I can't say we're picky... ... but in my alternate personality, in rehearsals I love these: http://www.pacificmusicpapers.com/pmpmagicwriterpencil.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Black Warrior pencils are awesome. She said it all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lailasmum Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Lyra Robinson pencils are great, no breakage problems. We use a lot of mechanical pencils too-Uni Shalaku pencils are our favourite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 We really don't have pencil problems here. We sharpen several pencils the end of each day so they are ready for the next school day. If one breaks it goes in the "to be sharpened cup" and my children get another sharpened pencil and move on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UrbanSue Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 We use Dixon Ticondergoas but the thicker, tri-write ones. They are designed for littler kids but I prefer them to thinner pencils, too. I did find out after I bought them that they have Triclosan. I decided to finish the boxes we have but, seriously, at the rate we're getting through them I'm never going to buy pencils again. They never break. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen in CO Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 To fix the uneven quality problems of the ticonderoga pencils, we've used these for the past year. They are a lot more consistent. We have nnever had problems with them. I won't let anyone buy anything else. We use them until they are nubs. My older dd goes to school each day with 8 sharp pencils and comes home with 8 dull pencils which we resharped each morning before school. SHe hasn't has a single pencil break yet. When they get too small for her hands, the short pencils are great for correcting younger dd's poor grip. Oh and they're pretty. If they're breaking WHEN the kids are using them, you might have a grip problem instead of a pencil problem. We've found that learning to write with a fountain pen is terrific to teaching kids to use a lighter hand and smoother movements. It seems more like fun for the kids than work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serenade Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 ... but in my alternate personality, in rehearsals I love these: http://www.pacificmu...iterpencil.html Ohhh, those might be what I'm constantly looking for -- a pencil with a darker lead! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Governess Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 What kind of sharpener are you using? I've used cheap sharpeners before and it took me a while to realize that it was the sharpener that was breaking the lead, up inside the pencil. I bought a nice electric sharpener and the breaking stopped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitten18 Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 We use Papermate Mirado (yellow) pencils and Papermate Black Warrior pencils. We haven't had any problems with breaking leads and my DS is definitely NOT gentle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitten18 Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 What kind of sharpener are you using? I've used cheap sharpeners before and it took me a while to realize that it was the sharpener that was breaking the lead, up inside the pencil. I bought a nice electric sharpener and the breaking stopped. I wonder about that too. I did have a couple electric pencil sharpeners and hated both of them, they would only sharpen one side of the pencil. I use a wall-mounted Xacto sharpener that I got at 99cent store. It's been working perfectly for a couple years now. :thumbup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Hmmm. I find all this pencil talk perplexing. We've never had issues with pencils. They break sometimes. Get dull. Nothing drastic. No issues with sharpeners either. Maybe you're expecting too much out of your pencils? I'm always amazed at how much this board has to say about pencils, lol! We're currently using staples brand with zero problems. I like the sharpener theory. We have a good one, so maybe that's the secret? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 I like American Classic pencils when I can find them. It's tough anymore, though. I've stopped buying Ticonderogas, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in NH Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Black Warriors here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandylubug Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 We have had issues, too. With four kids sharpening pencils we go through a ton. I have found the ticonderogas have started breaking for us as well. The worst WORST pencils were some from Dollar Tree. My kids dislike mechanical pencils, too. I am currently using target brand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 We do talk a lot about pencils, but you know what? When I worked in an office setting, OMG, people could go on and on about what pen they liked. And the different types that people wanted..very specific. I still remember my supervisor only wanting a certain type of Uniball pen. So I don't think we are unusual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PachiSusan Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 I have tried to answer this 3 times now!! Maybe I'm supposed to keep this gem to myself!! LOL I love love love USA Gold Natural Wood pencils from Target. They write nice and dark, and very smoothly. They sharpen easily and don't break very easily. I constantly hide them from Melissa and give her the Staples pencils because she kills the eraser before the pencil is even a 1/4 done!! http://www.target.co...pk/-/A-10805593 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WiseOwlKnits Posted February 18, 2013 Author Share Posted February 18, 2013 We are using the Ticonderoga Noir (shimmery silver color, very cool looking) and for the first time ever, pencils are not breaking. At all. Totally worth the investment (although waiting for a great deal on Amazon made it even better; the vendor messing up my order and not charging me at all sweetened the deal, lol). I buy two boxes of pencils for each dc at the beginning of our school year and have never made it this far without running out; I still have 2/3 of my order left, unopened! I love these pencils. I need to go to the store in the next couple of days and I'm getting a box of these to try. Thanks!! Get these: http://www.amazon.co...ref=pd_sbs_op_1 They come in .5,.7 and .9. The lead rarely breaks (esp the .9). One pencil lasts 1.5 years and the lead and erasers last a year. I watch them like a hawk and they NEVER leave the classroom. I get them for about $1-2 a package at Office Max back to school sales. Oh, I didn't realize that they made .9 lead for mechanical pencils. I'm going to try some of them too. Black Warrior pencils are awesome. Black Warriors here. I'll get some of these too. We use Dixon Ticondergoas but the thicker, tri-write ones. They are designed for littler kids but I prefer them to thinner pencils, too. I did find out after I bought them that they have Triclosan. I decided to finish the boxes we have but, seriously, at the rate we're getting through them I'm never going to buy pencils again. They never break. The Triclosan is a deal breaker for me, unfortunately. :( To fix the uneven quality problems of the ticonderoga pencils, we've used these for the past year. They are a lot more consistent. We have nnever had problems with them. I won't let anyone buy anything else. We use them until they are nubs. My older dd goes to school each day with 8 sharp pencils and comes home with 8 dull pencils which we resharped each morning before school. SHe hasn't has a single pencil break yet. When they get too small for her hands, the short pencils are great for correcting younger dd's poor grip. Oh and they're pretty. If they're breaking WHEN the kids are using them, you might have a grip problem instead of a pencil problem. We've found that learning to write with a fountain pen is terrific to teaching kids to use a lighter hand and smoother movements. It seems more like fun for the kids than work. I don't think it's a grip issue because my daughter can write all day with a mechanical pencil and they don't break. When they do break, it's not at the tip, it's further inside the pencil and the whole lead is sheared off straight and just drops out of the hole that the lead fits into in the pencil. Does that make sense? We use Papermate Mirado (yellow) pencils and Papermate Black Warrior pencils. We haven't had any problems with breaking leads and my DS is definitely NOT gentle. Yep, gonna get some of these to try too. We'll make it a science experiment. LOL! I have tried to answer this 3 times now!! Maybe I'm supposed to keep this gem to myself!! LOL I love love love USA Gold Natural Wood pencils from Target. They write nice and dark, and very smoothly. They sharpen easily and don't break very easily. I constantly hide them from Melissa and give her the Staples pencils because she kills the eraser before the pencil is even a 1/4 done!! http://www.target.co...pk/-/A-10805593 I'll add these to my list too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 We are a funny lot! We don't have any problems with pencils. We use cheap-o, character, mechanical, Target, yellow, Jesus loves Me, 2nd graders rock! - whatever we have on hand. We use an Xacto electric sharpener that was recommended here years ago. We do go through erasers, though. My kids are pretty hard on their colored pencils because we sharpen them constantly because they press so hard when coloring, but we don't have breakage issues. (We also don't lose them, like I've read so many do. We have millions and they have a home, so....) Now, if you want to talk about pens, I am a lot more opinionated on that subject! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WiseOwlKnits Posted February 18, 2013 Author Share Posted February 18, 2013 I remember in school a teacher telling us to be really careful not to drop our pencils. He said that dropping them broke or cracked the lead inside and made them break more easily. I don't know if that is true, but I did make an effort to not drop my pencils after that. I have had pencils where it was clear that the lead inside was broken in several places. DS1 had one split right down the middle. It was a cool cross section of a pencil (a great learning moment) but still annoying. Yes, I've heard this too so I'm always drilling it into them to not drop their pencils, not bang the pencils against their books or table or anything where it could break the lead. One thing I learned from an education specialist friend was that some kids press too hard and have the wrong grip for their pencils to withstand the pressure. She taught us a new way of gripping the pencil, and showed my son how to have a lighter touch. That helped a lot. Some people have found that the automatic pencils work OK if you get .7 or .9 leads. The other things that the education person showed us was that there are a variety of pens that work better for different kids. Some kids need a really dark line when they write, and so they are pressing really hard on a ballpoint--but a gel pen delivers the dark line with less pressure. Same with a softer lead in an automatic pencil. Anwya, these things might help. They helped my son a lot with his writing. He was pressing so hard that he could write about three sentences before pain set in. Once we got the pressure thing right, he was a lot better at writing. Thanks for the suggestions! I don't think it's their grip. I made a big point of teaching proper pencil grip because I had bad form when I was little and it caused all the sorts of issues that you describe. And it took forever to unlearn the wrong way. What kind of sharpener are you using? I've used cheap sharpeners before and it took me a while to realize that it was the sharpener that was breaking the lead, up inside the pencil. I bought a nice electric sharpener and the breaking stopped. I wonder about that too. I did have a couple electric pencil sharpeners and hated both of them, they would only sharpen one side of the pencil. I use a wall-mounted Xacto sharpener that I got at 99cent store. It's been working perfectly for a couple years now. :thumbup: I have a old-fashioned classroom sharpener. This one, specifically. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violamama Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 My kids are pretty hard on their colored pencils because we sharpen them constantly because they press so hard when coloring, but we don't have breakage issues. Yeah, us too. But we do have lots of sets and we take them with us to restaurants, etc. We bought some of those new Crayola plastic turn-up-the-lead type colored pencils and they are TERRIBLE. Any pressure at all sends the lead right back up into the pencil. What a waste of fifteen bucks. The other fru-fru pencil I like for rehearsals are these: http://www.amazon.com/Blackwing-BLACKWING-Pencils/dp/B006CQWILK I posted the pencil question to my musician friends on facebook and it's at 23 comments and counting. Musicians and music librarians are VERY particular about those babies. Can't have the lead breaking or cheap shiny-looking lines when you're in the middle of some awesome piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abacus2 Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Smencils are excellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WiseOwlKnits Posted February 18, 2013 Author Share Posted February 18, 2013 Smencils are excellent. I've never heard of those! When I order stuff for next school year, I'm going to have to get a few (just to sniff if nothing else!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jljohn Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
songsparrow Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 We are very happy with the USA Gold pencils that we get at Target. We've used them for the past year with no complaints. Cheap, no antibacterial agents added & made in the USA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plath Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 Another vote for Mirado Black Warriors! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momof3littles Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 We use both Ticonderoga Noir and Mirado Black Warrior. I don't do the Microban Ticonderogas, and the boxes of Ticonderoga Noir don't say anything about it containing Microban. If they do, don't tell me, okay? Lalalalalala. I'm happy with both. We bought a decent 30 dollar sharpener a few years ago before a move, and then moved into a house with two mounted awesome old school sharpeners like I grew up with. It is sad that I considered them a small bonus when we purchased this house! We use some mechanicals, but I usually just buy the cheap ones and they are more often annoying than not. I did pick up Papermate Clearpoints on sale today for $1 at Office Max, so we'll see how those go. edited to add that I put some Smencils in our RR cart before reading this thread. I usually dislike anything with artificial scents, but I know the kids will enjoy them. Good to know they are a decent pencil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 We use an Xacto electric sharpener that was recommended here years ago. This is what we use too. But, we typically use Black Warrior pencils and my kids have separate erasers that are white. Now, if you want to talk about pens, I am a lot more opinionated on that subject! I use Pilot G2 medium point pens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 We use some mechanicals, but I usually just buy the cheap ones and they are more often annoying than not. I did pick up Papermate Clearpoints on sale today for $1 at Office Max, so we'll see how those go. I love these. Did you get the .9mm? I find that these almost never break. I have the .9 for grades 4 and under and .7 for all others. Usually the extra lead and erasers last us a whole year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momof3littles Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 I love these. Did you get the .9mm? I find that these almost never break. I have the .9 for grades 4 and under and .7 for all others. Usually the extra lead and erasers last us a whole year. Cool. By dumb luck, I ended up with the 0.9mm. I was distracted by my 3 yo touching everything. Good to know that's a nice size. My older two are 9 and 6. My 6 yo has used cheaper mech. pencils before so I think she'll be able to handle it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbeym Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 We use some mechanicals, but I usually just buy the cheap ones and they are more often annoying than not. I did pick up Papermate Clearpoints on sale today for $1 at Office Max, so we'll see how those go. DS and I love the Papermate Clearpoints. I buy the .7 leads and it works for me. I wonder if he'd prefer a .9 though since he likes dark lines. I'll have to ask him about that. Sadly, he inherited my pickiness for pens as well as pencils. He's at the point where he only wants to use Zebra brand gel pens. They're pricey, but at least they have refills to cut down on the cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violamama Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 I'm glad you bumped this thread. I would like to marry this sharpener: http://www.jetpens.com/Uni-KH-20-Hand-Crank-Wooden-Pencil-Sharpener-Red/pd/6546 Look around that site. I dare you. I bought this staple-less stapler and then made up reasons to put papers in packets for all our music campers because it's SO COOL! http://www.jetpens.com/Sun-Star-Paper-Stitch-Lock-Stand-Staple-Less-Stapler-Bamboo-Green/pd/8347 And I also have fallen for the Palomino Blackwings. They are fantastical. I may have to just give up and move back to Japan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momof3littles Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 I'm glad you bumped this thread. I would like to marry this sharpener: http://www.jetpens.com/Uni-KH-20-Hand-Crank-Wooden-Pencil-Sharpener-Red/pd/6546 Look around that site. I dare you. I bought this staple-less stapler and then made up reasons to put papers in packets for all our music campers because it's SO COOL! http://www.jetpens.com/Sun-Star-Paper-Stitch-Lock-Stand-Staple-Less-Stapler-Bamboo-Green/pd/8347 And I also have fallen for the Palomino Blackwings. They are fantastical. I may have to just give up and move back to Japan. DH travels for work sometimes and I have told him that the next time he goes to Japan he must bring back writing implements. I'm not sure that's normal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyThreeSons Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 My DD can handle mechanical pencils most of the time, but DS doesn't have the ability to use them without breaking them. ... snip ..... There has to be an answer. Have you found it? Does your DS have trouble with the mechanical pencils because he is breaking the lead? If so, have you tried mechanical pencils with thicker lead? The ones you find most commonly have .5mm lead. If you go to an office supply store, like Office Max or Office Depot or Staples, you should be able to find mechanical pencils with .7mm or .9mm lead. You may have to look in the drafting supply section. Or you may find them at Michael's or Hobby Lobby. You can get a softer lead, which means he may not have to press so hard, and it might not break so easily. Or, you might want to look at a lead holder: http://www.amazon.com/Staedtler-Lead-Holder/dp/B0006HXM8O You would also need to get a lead pointer (sharpener) -- see the pictures below on the linked page. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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