10 Best Writing Pencils 2025 in the United States

The Ticonderoga Wood-Cased Pencils in HB hardness are a solid choice for everyday writing and drawing tasks. Their #2 graphite core is known for smooth, consistent lines that make writing easy on the hand and clear on paper. The premium wood casing is responsibly sourced and sharpens evenly without much breakage, which is great if you prefer a steady, reliable pencil. The black lacquer finish gives them a professional look, while the classic hexagonal grip provides decent comfort and prevents the pencil from rolling off your desk.

One of the standout features is the latex-free eraser that cleans marks effectively without smudging, making corrections neat and painless. These pencils are also PMA certified non-toxic, so they’re safe for kids as well as adults. However, if you need a pencil with a softer or harder lead than HB, or a special grip design for extended writing sessions, these might feel basic. The standard lead diameter means it’s not ideal for very fine detail work or mechanical pencil replacements.

For most users—students, office workers, or casual artists—these pencils provide dependable quality, easy sharpening, and smooth writing at a reasonable price.

The Ticonderoga My First Short Triangular Wood-Cased Pencils are designed with young students in mind. These pencils have a shorter length of 4.5 inches, making them easier for small hands to control, which is particularly beneficial for early learners. The triangular, oversized shape promotes a natural and correct grip, which is essential for developing handwriting skills. The #2 HB soft graphite lead is of high quality, with a wider diameter of 3.6mm that minimizes the risk of breakage and ensures smooth writing.

The wood used is responsibly sourced, which adds an environmental benefit to the product. Additionally, the latex-free eraser is safe for kids and allows for clean, smudge-free corrections. The ergonomic design, combined with the high-quality materials, makes these pencils comfortable to use for both children and adults who need a steady grip.

However, the bright yellow color might not appeal to everyone, and the broad point type may not be suitable for detailed work or those who prefer finer lines. Ideal for young students and those in the early stages of writing, the Ticonderoga My First Short Triangular Wood-Cased Pencils effectively meet the key needs of this category.

The Ticonderoga Wood-Cased Pencils offer a reliable option for those in need of high-quality writing tools. The product features a proprietary #2 graphite formula, ensuring smooth and consistent performance. The pencils have a broad lead diameter of 2mm, providing bold, clear lines suitable for various writing tasks. Crafted from responsibly managed wood sources, these pencils are designed to sharpen evenly with minimal breakage, which is a significant advantage for users who frequently sharpen their pencils.

The pencils are pre-sharpened, saving users time and effort right out of the box. The latex-free eraser is another standout feature, as it effectively removes marks without smudging, making corrections clean and easy. Additionally, the eraser is securely attached with the signature green and gold ferrules, adding to the durability of the pencils.

However, while the pencils are described as having a 'thumb grip', they lack an ergonomic grip design, which might be less comfortable for extended use. This could be a drawback for users who require extensive writing or drawing sessions. These pencils are suitable for both kids and adults, making them versatile for various tasks, including schoolwork, office use, and general writing needs. The Ticonderoga Wood-Cased Pencils excel in durability, writing smoothness, and eraser quality, though they might fall short in grip comfort during prolonged use.