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Pencil v. Pencil: Ticonderoga v. Sharpwriter
I've said this before, but I don’t use pencils often. Between my smudge-prone handwriting and love of pens, pencils usually gather dust in my pencil case. I’ve never been a fan of how soft most pencil lead feels on paper (unless it’s printer paper) and it often just doesn’t glide the way I want it to. But every now and then, a pencil is the best tool for the job: sketching out a quick idea, doing a little math, or filling in forms where ink just feels too final.
I decided to settle it once and for all. I bought a box of two of the most popular pencils out there: the classic Dixon Ticonderoga (wooden) and the Paper Mate Sharpwriter (mechanical). These are longtime favorites for pencil lovers on both sides of the wood vs. plastic divide, and I figured if I was going to try pencils again, I might as well start with the best.
Wooden Pencils
Wooden pencils are nostalgia in a classic yellow body. Topped with a sturdy pink eraser, writing with smooth graphite will immediately put you back to elementary school where you had nothing better to do but practice writing your letters. Wooden pencils have a few solid strengths, such as a straightforward writing experience and the tactile satisfaction of writing with freshly sharpened graphite. Furthermore, they tend to be less expensive if you're buying in bulk.
But this was a deal breaker for me: they need constant sharpening. That means mess, interruptions, and a point that dulls fast. Once they get too short, they become difficult (or even painful) to hold. I also found that the soft lead didn’t perform well on planner paper or finer notebook pages—it just kind of smeared or didn't write at all.
Remember, I even paired my Ticonderoga with a pencil grip, hoping to see if adjusting my grip would help my writing (and remember, it didn’t). In short, I didn't like it; the grip didn’t feel natural in my hand and my handwriting didn’t improve. But for someone learning how to hold a pencil—or trying to retrain themselves—it might still be helpful.
Mechanical Pencils
Now let's talk about the Paper Mate Sharpwriter. This is a slim-bodied mechanical pencil, a soft eraser, and twist-up led. No sharpening, no shavings—just twist and go. It’s lightweight, cheap, and always ready to write with a consistent point. The 0.7mm lead it uses is good enough for most handwriting styles (plus, I find the lead to be pretty sturdy despite how delicate it feels). It's the embodiment of "it ain't much but it gets the job done."
The beauty of mechanical pencils like the Sharpwriter is the convenience. They’re cleaner, more consistent, and refillable. If you’re a note-taker or a planner person who likes sharp lines without the hassle of sharpening every five minutes, it’s the better choice.
The downside? Mechanical pencils aren’t always the most durable (especially budget models), and the erasers tend to wear down quickly. Your mileage may vary for no mess and instant usability.
My Pick
Once again, I choose the mechanical pencil and the Sharpwriter wins it for me. The consistency of the lead and the fact that I don’t have to stop everything to sharpen it made a huge difference. Also, the shavings from the Ticonderoga were enough to nudge me toward the mechanical side. But pairing that with the always ready nature of the Sharpwriter sealed it.
Of course, I still love the look and feel of the Ticonderoga. It’s a beautiful pencil! But it just doesn’t fit how I work.
If you’re Team Wooden Pencil, I totally understand. If you’re still just figuring out what kind of writer/printer you are, try both. But for me? Give me a mechanical pencil that doesn’t leave shavings on my paper any day.
I decided to settle it once and for all. I bought a box of two of the most popular pencils out there: the classic Dixon Ticonderoga (wooden) and the Paper Mate Sharpwriter (mechanical). These are longtime favorites for pencil lovers on both sides of the wood vs. plastic divide, and I figured if I was going to try pencils again, I might as well start with the best.
Wooden Pencils
Wooden pencils are nostalgia in a classic yellow body. Topped with a sturdy pink eraser, writing with smooth graphite will immediately put you back to elementary school where you had nothing better to do but practice writing your letters. Wooden pencils have a few solid strengths, such as a straightforward writing experience and the tactile satisfaction of writing with freshly sharpened graphite. Furthermore, they tend to be less expensive if you're buying in bulk.
But this was a deal breaker for me: they need constant sharpening. That means mess, interruptions, and a point that dulls fast. Once they get too short, they become difficult (or even painful) to hold. I also found that the soft lead didn’t perform well on planner paper or finer notebook pages—it just kind of smeared or didn't write at all.
Remember, I even paired my Ticonderoga with a pencil grip, hoping to see if adjusting my grip would help my writing (and remember, it didn’t). In short, I didn't like it; the grip didn’t feel natural in my hand and my handwriting didn’t improve. But for someone learning how to hold a pencil—or trying to retrain themselves—it might still be helpful.
Mechanical Pencils
Now let's talk about the Paper Mate Sharpwriter. This is a slim-bodied mechanical pencil, a soft eraser, and twist-up led. No sharpening, no shavings—just twist and go. It’s lightweight, cheap, and always ready to write with a consistent point. The 0.7mm lead it uses is good enough for most handwriting styles (plus, I find the lead to be pretty sturdy despite how delicate it feels). It's the embodiment of "it ain't much but it gets the job done."
The beauty of mechanical pencils like the Sharpwriter is the convenience. They’re cleaner, more consistent, and refillable. If you’re a note-taker or a planner person who likes sharp lines without the hassle of sharpening every five minutes, it’s the better choice.
The downside? Mechanical pencils aren’t always the most durable (especially budget models), and the erasers tend to wear down quickly. Your mileage may vary for no mess and instant usability.
My Pick
Once again, I choose the mechanical pencil and the Sharpwriter wins it for me. The consistency of the lead and the fact that I don’t have to stop everything to sharpen it made a huge difference. Also, the shavings from the Ticonderoga were enough to nudge me toward the mechanical side. But pairing that with the always ready nature of the Sharpwriter sealed it.
Of course, I still love the look and feel of the Ticonderoga. It’s a beautiful pencil! But it just doesn’t fit how I work.
If you’re Team Wooden Pencil, I totally understand. If you’re still just figuring out what kind of writer/printer you are, try both. But for me? Give me a mechanical pencil that doesn’t leave shavings on my paper any day.