Features:

  • Exclusive #2 graphite formula provides extra smooth performance
  • Top quality, latex-free eraser provides easy, clean corrections
  • Made with premium wood from responsibly managed forests
  • Satin smooth finish enhances writing comfort, PMA certified non-toxic
  • Includes 96 pencils comprised of 8 boxes of 12 pencils each
High quality, sharpen nicely and last a long time

These pencils are the best. It may seem weird to have strong preferences about pencils, but I'm a math teacher and go through a lot in my classroom. Well, I did go through a lot. Then I got these and started charging my students 25 cents per pencil (they're supposed to bring their own, but if they need one from me they have to pay - they can get their quarter back if they return the pencil at the end of class). They sharpen nicely and don't break all the time like the cheaper pencils, and they last a long time since you aren't constantly sharpening them down. The only problem is that the erasers wear out way before the pencil, but that is easily fixed with those slide on eraser caps. Don't waste money on cheap pencils!

Worth the Cost

I used to think a pencil is a pencil - maybe they were years ago but no more. I got very tired of trying to sharpen pencils that would not get or hold a point. Sometimes I'd sharpen almost a third of a pencil before I could get a decent point only to have it break off as soon as I used it. And all graphite is not the same - better graphite as in the Ticonderoga pencils writes darker and flows smoothly. And all erasers are not the same - good erasers don't get hard and smear when trying to erase or just break off. So yes they cost more but they're worth it. I do a lot of woodwork and I save myself a lot of aggravation by using Ticonderoga pencils - especially when I'm checking twice or more before cutting. I buy in bulk to keep the cost low and can stock different areas of my home. With pencils these days you get what you pay for.

Amazing pencils.

I try to be very conscientious when it comes to the cost of school/craft supplies. I usually buy the cheapest pack of pencils, because I mean the kids break them, sharpen the crud out of them, or lose them. But after reading on our pto page that these really are the best pencils out there, I found a sale on here that made these more than I'd usually spend, but not a budget killer. I will never buy any old pencil ever again! These are simply amazing. They sharpen fast and evenly, the lead doesn't just randomly break, and the wood itself is just way stronger than the cheap pencils. I love these pencils and actually went back and bought another huge box. It's already halfway through the school year and we haven't even finished on of the little boxes that come inside this huge package! Love love love

I can be pretty picky about my pencils

I can be pretty picky about my pencils. The problem with Dixon Ticonderogas is that they are made in China and Mexico and on Amazon you never know what you will get. To complicate things somewhat, I've seen incense-cedar wood used in both China and Mexico versions of the same pencil, as well as lesser quality non-aromatic basswood or other lower grade wood material that is not readily identifiable. Also, Ticonderogas over time have changed their packaging graphics and they will no longer specify wood type on the box, anymore. They now use a generic phrase "Premium Wood / Bois de la meilleure / Madera de primera calidad" which gives absolutely no indication if the wood is cedar or not. Of late, they have a stamp signifying "100% American CEDAR WOOD sustainable forests" and this designation will grace all boxes of pencils that are created out of incense-cedar (presumably!). It seems that this stamp has started to show on their products manufactured starting 2016. You will see it on their colored erasable/checking pencils, Tri-Conderogas, and their standard issue Ticonderogas in the 12-pack cardboard box, 24-pack hang tab clear plastic boxes, 48-pack hang tab green cardboard boxes, and the 96-pack cello wrapped variety which is in actuality 8 of the 12-pack boxes packaged as a single 96 count unit. They probably will start to use this designation on other products as well to make it easier to distinguish which of their products are incense-cedar wood and which are not. UPDATE: They also have a new stamp in the form of a gold colored banner: "Celebrating over 100 years of excellence". AVOID those like the plague! You are buying the low-end Ticonderoga. The irony...that they would label their low-end garbage as "excellence". Ticonderogas come in a higher grade and lower grade now. Look for the green-white CEDAR WOOD stamp if you want the high grade Ticonderoga. The problem is that there are huge stocks of pre-2016 packaging and it is hard to tell what's inside unless you actually peek into the box and handle the pencil in person. Even then, some variety of Ticonderogas will have sloppy paint jobs that have paint dripped over the ends and make it difficult to see the wood grain or take a whiff which is an important hint as to what you are dealing with (cedar vs basswood). Of course this is not possible when buying on Amazon. I've bought 96-pack Ticonderogas at the large wholesale membership stores before (Costco) that are of the Mexican origin, in the same cello wrapped individually boxed units per dozen, HOWEVER, they are "not marked for individual sale", meaning the bar codes and product code (i.e. 13882) are not imprinted on the individual boxes. The 96-pack bought today (2/6/2016) here on Amazon are also of the Mexican variety, in the same cello wrapped individual boxed units per dozen, AND they are each marked for individual sale, replete with barcodes and product codes. This is an interesting distinction because there is a huge quality difference between the two, and this is the crux of this review: - The Costco variety have a strong paint smell where the Amazon variety is nicely aromatic cedar. - The Costco variety is NOT imprinted as 100% AMERICAN cedar wood, the Amazon variety has the imprint. - The Costco variety is obviously not cedar wood, wood is a pasty white without visible woodgrain patterns - The Costco variety had very poor paint jobs and the classic green foil lettering and logos are noticeably poorer quality - There were more curved pencil "bananas" and off-centered leads in the Costco variety - The Amazon variety had largely well centered leads with mostly straight barrels, and the ferrule yellow paint stripes were clean This all means that if you are lucky and score a box of the cedar wood variety, you will have a great writing experience. The Mexican Ticonderogas were generally thought to be superior to the Chinese versions, because the Ticonderogas made in China largely used basswood/non-cedar wood, had a smallish eraser head, and the leads were poorly centered, and the ferrules were poorly painted as well. A lot of technical problems seems to plaque the Chinese version, like leads falling out (poorly bonded lead), or broken leads, or not sharpening well to a point (poor quality wood to blame). However, my Costco experience illustrates that both factories, whether it be China or Mexico, produce higher grade Ticonderogas and clearly lower grade ones as well. Interestingly, the latest batch of pencils that are hitting the shelves in big office retailers like Office Depot or Staples are of FANTASTIC quality and they are made in China versions, with well centered lead cores, incense-cedar wood barrels, sharply imprinted foil lettering, and ferrules that are printed very evenly with a bright yellow band, and erasers that are starting to grow to a size that almost rivals the Mexican counterparts. They are slightly darker in color and a very smooth, satin finish. I hope that Dixon is starting to listen to the myriad of complaints about the inconsistencies of their Ticonderoga product line, and the latest developments in this venerable brand is surely encouraging that all is not falling on deaf ears. In fact, the latest batch that are made in China would indicate that they have made a major commitment to restoring the brand to its former glory!

Helped me learn to let go

Having 100 pencils has helped me as a teacher get over my pencil hoarding tendencies. Good pencils disappear like attention around holidays. Now I can happily hand out pencils knowing that I won't run out at Thanksgiving.

These pencils really are the best, especially for early writers

I never thought I'd write a review for pencils, but here I am. I have several kids in school, and spend a decent amount of time volunteering in the classroom and helping out where I can. These pencils really are the best, especially for early writers. They sharpen smoothly and easily, so you don't eat half the pencil trying to sharpen it. They also don't break as easily, especially when kids new to writing push down really hard.

I will use these for years to come!

Okay, spending and absurd amount on pencils is ridiculous, but I am a teacher and I have learned a few things since my daughter has started school. The teachers said she needed this specific brand of a pencil which was a considerable more amount than off brands, BUT they are SO worth it. After purchasing these pencils for my daughter and snagging one, I immediately purchased these for my classroom for me to use. The wood and lead stands up far longer than the average #2 pencil. I will continue to purchase only this brand!

In ❤️ with Ticonderoga!

These are the very best pencils!! With so many cheap pencils out there, my electric pencil sharpener is always thankful to sharpen a Ticonderoga!! I don't trust my 3rd graders to operate my electric sharpener, so I sharpen every pencil. A Ticonderoga just melt to a point!! This year my school specified that we want students to bring this brand to school. Because they sharpen so easily and their leads are straight, they tend to break less often than other pencils. My school district has been providing this brand for students to use on standardized assessments for as long as I can remember. I am passionate about these pencils!!!

Sharpen perfectly every time. The only brand I'll buy!

These are BY FAR the best pencils you can buy. You can sharpen the pencil to a nice, smooth point and go on with your life. With so many other brands, you can literally sharpen the pencil down to the eraser without ever getting a nice tip! Also, this package was far cheaper than buying locally at Target, who charges MORE per pencil when you buy in bulk. Seriously! Here, you get a lot of excellent pencils for a great piece. Extra tip: We've had the "School Smart Vertical Pencil Sharpener, 6 x 4 Inches, Electric" for over 4 years now, and it's survived pens (yes, someone stuck a pen in it), drops, and consistent use by 3 kids and runs amazingly still. Worth every penny!

THE best pencils!

The best pencils that money can buy! As a teacher, I know my office supplies. In fact, I think a love of office supplies is a prerequisite for becoming a teacher. As you can expect, we go through a lot of pencils in my classroom. These pencils sharpen well (you don't need to stand at the sharpener for ten minutes because it keeps breaking while sharpening) and the eraser is great! It's not a smudgy eraser, and it doesn't break off when it is used. If you are still not sure about buying these pencils, see a teacher's eyes light up when you mention Ticonderoga pencils. I guarantee these are their favorites, and they feel as passionately about these pencils as I do. Plus, this deal on Amazon is absolutely amazing. So, make a teacher's day, and buy these pencils for their classroom. You will automatically be a favorite in their book.

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