Ticonderoga Wood-Cased Pencils, Pre-Sharpened, 2 HB Soft, Yellow, 12 Count
✅ PROS
- 68,338 reviews with a 4.8★ average — one of Amazon's highest-rated writing instruments
- Smooth, consistent graphite that writes cleanly without scratching
- Erasers actually erase — no smudging or tearing like cheap pencil tops
❌ CONS
- Quality varies between production runs — some batches use lower-grade wood
- No wood type specified on newer packaging — you have to look for the cedar stamp
- Older 'Celebrating 100 years' stamped batches reportedly used lower-quality materials
The Verdict
With 68,338 Amazon reviews averaging 4.8 stars, the Ticonderoga wood-cased pencil is one of the highest-rated products on the entire platform. And it’s a pencil. A pencil! That tells you something about the passion people bring to this humble writing instrument. Here’s a deep dive into what makes the yellow pencil legendary — and what’s changed over the years.
Why Teachers (and Everyone Else) Swear By Them
“The best pencils you could ever want,” writes one recent reviewer. “They are durable for all ages and write smooth.” Another user who’s been using Ticonderogas for over 30 years echoes the sentiment: “Smooth flow when writing and erases easy without a mess. I’ve been using this product for over 30 years, and the great quality is still the same.”
The graphite writes cleanly and consistently without the scratchiness that plagues cheaper pencils. The erasers actually work — they remove marks cleanly without smudging or tearing the paper, which is a meaningful differentiator. And they sharpen evenly without splintering, with the lead staying centered through multiple sharpenings.
The Quality Controversy
One reviewer went deep — really deep — on the quality variations that exist across Ticonderoga production. The issue boils down to this: Ticonderoga manufacturing moved to China and Mexico over the years, and not all batches are created equal.
The key distinction is wood type. The premium Ticonderogas use incense-cedar, which gives that distinctive aromatic smell and superior sharpening performance. Lower-grade versions use basswood or other non-aromatic woods that don’t sharpen as cleanly.
The tell: look for the green-white stamp that says “100% American CEDAR WOOD.” Recent batches with that stamp are high quality. Boxes with the gold “Celebrating over 100 years of excellence” banner — avoid those. That banner, one reviewer warns, marks the low-end versions.
Recent Improvements
Encouragingly, reviewers note that the latest batches hitting stores are excellent. “The latest batch of pencils that are hitting the shelves in big office retailers like Office Depot or Staples are of FANTASTIC quality,” one long-time observer reports. The Chinese-made versions now feature well-centered lead cores, incense-cedar barrels, and evenly painted ferrules.
The Verdict
Ticonderoga remains the gold standard for wooden pencils, and the data backs it up. 68,338 reviewers can’t all be wrong. The 4.8-star average is virtually unheard of for any product, let alone something as simple as a pencil.
The quality variance between production runs is real, but manageable — buy from reputable sellers, check for the cedar stamp, and avoid the gold banner batches. For $5.63 for 12 pre-sharpened pencils, the value is undeniable.
Ticonderoga. Not because they’re the only choice, but because after 100+ years, they’re still the right one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all Ticonderoga pencils made from cedar wood?
Do these pencils come pre-sharpened?
Where are Ticonderoga pencils manufactured?
More Home Office Verdicts
