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Mediocre wooden pencils may have easily breakable lead, leave residue behind when they erase, or barely show up on paper at all.
That’s why you’ll want to find high-quality pencils that write smoothly, erase just as well, and feel good in your hand.
We have done extensive research to find 10 of the best wooden pencils in the world based on how well each of them performs. With our experience using wooden pencils, we know we’ll help you choose the right one. Let’s dive in with our number one pick.
Best Wooden Pencils:
1. Palomino Blackwing Wood Pencils – 12 Count
With a firm graphite core, the Palomino Blackwing Pencils are touted as the best wooden pencils for writing and drawing. They come in a set of 12 with four color options.
These genuine cedar wooden pencils create dark, soft lines, and they feature an iconic rectangular eraser design.
Customers say the finish feels well in your hand, and the pencils don’t dull fast. They also appreciate the ease of replacing the erasers.
These pencils are the best for writers and artists for their smoothness and ease of use. They also have good longevity with a replaceable eraser and stay-sharp lead.
Features
- Smooth Japanese graphite core
- California Incense-cedar construction
- Available in a pack of 12
- The eraser head is replaceable
Pros
- High-quality matte finish
- Stays sharp long
- Easy to write and sketch fast
- Comfortable to hold
Cons
- Some customers feel the eraser is too small
2. AmazonBasics Pre-Sharpened Wood Cased #2 HB Pencils
The AmazonBasics Pre-Sharpened Wood Cased #2 HB Pencils come in a pack of 30 or a pack of 150. They’re simplistic in designed and intended for basic use at home or at school.
These are the best #2 pencils that are lightweight and easy to hold.
Customers mention that these are lightweight without being flimsy. They create clean, easy-to-read lines. By coming pre-sharpened, they save you on time as well.
If you’re looking for something basic enough for classroom use or simple work at home, these Pre-Sharpened Wood Cased #2 HB Pencils provide just that. Their erasers don’t appear to leave much residue or smudge behind either.
Features
- Certified non-toxic materials
- Pre-sharpened
- Latex-free eraser
- HB lead hardness
Pros
- Easy to maintain a good grip
- No-smudge erasers
- Safe materials
- Arrive pre-sharpened
- Box of 30 or 150
Cons
- Customers feel the eraser isn’t secure
3. STAEDTLER Mars Lumograph Premium Quality Drawing Wood Pencil Set
The STAEDTLER Mars Lumograph Premium Quality Drawing Pencil Set comes in a tin case with 12 total pencils that are pre-sharpened.
Each of these high-quality wooden pencils comes in the following: 6B, 5B, 4B, 3B, 2B, B, HB, F, H, 2H, 3H, and 4H. The varied pencils work well for sketching and drawing.
Artists in particular appreciate the variety of pencils that are pre-sharpened and seem to blend well. They say since the lead is well-bonded, they wear evenly.
This pencil set may work well for artists who want a variety of lead hardness. They provide consistent results with a lead that wears evenly over time.
Features
- 12 pencils with different lead hardness
- Pre-sharpened
- Silver-blue color
- Bonded lead
Pros
- Hold sharpness well
- Consistent hardness
- Lead wears evenly
- Ready to use out of the case
Cons
- Some sharpeners can eat too much of the lead
4. Ticonderoga Pencils Wood-Cased Graphite #2
The Ticonderoga Pencils Wood-Cased Graphite #2 are made from premium wood and arrive pre-sharpened so you don’t have to worry about getting them ready.
Their traditional design for basic use makes them the best pencils for college students. You can purchase them in a variety of pack sizes from a 4-count to a 240-count.
Student consumers in particular like the ease of use found in these pencils, especially as they come pre-sharpened. They feel well enough, and the lead isn’t known to break frequently.
For college students, an affordable pack of traditional pencils may be more valuable in the long run. They’re pre-sharpened and generally remain sharp long.
Features
- #2 graphite HB lead
- Smooth wood finish
- Latex-free eraser
- Pre-sharpened
- Lead is hard to break
Pros
- Feels smooth
- Sharp out of the box
- Secured eraser
- No smear when erased
Cons
- Lead may not be centered
5. Dixon Golf Wood Pencils #2 HB Soft
As the Dixon Golf Pencils are small wooden pencils, they can work well for standardized test taking.
With 144 pencils in a single box, they’re the best wooden pencils for school students who tend to forget their own writing utensils at home. Their #2 HB graphite core writes smoothly enough for basic work.
Teacher consumers seem to enjoy the pencils for students as they’re small, simple, and yet still easy to hold and use. They write clean and clear lines as well.
Choose these Dixon Golf Pencils if you want a valuable option for students, especially for test taking. They write clearly and remain sharp long.
Features
- Pre-sharpened in the box
- 3.5in. in length
- No eraser design
Pros
- Sharpens fast without eating the pencil
- The point remains sharp long
- Arrive pre-sharpened
- Plenty of pencils come in one box
Cons
- Consumers say the lead doesn’t erase well
6. Faber-Castell 9000 Graphite Sketch Pencil Sets
From 8B to 2H, the Faber-Castell 9000 Graphite Sketch Pencil Sets offer various degrees of hardness with 12 pencils. They’re the best artist graphite pencils set that come pre-sharpened.
The lead is made from graphite and clay, and they’re designed with designers and artists in mind thanks to their shade variation.
Consumers enjoy the set for sketching and drawing as they have a variety of hardness to choose from. They speak about how well the pencils hold a fine edge too.
Artists who need a variety of hardness levels may enjoy this set of Faber-Castell graphite pencils. They come in a compact metal tin too for easy transport.
Features
- Wide range of lead hardness
- SV lead bonding
- Green finish
- Fine, sharp lines
- Pre-sharpened and secured in a case
Pros
- Glides well on the paper
- Edge remains sharp
- Variation of shades
- Smooth drawing
Cons
- Harder pencils may break easier when re-sharpening
7. Prismacolor Premier Colored Woodcase Pencils
These Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils have soft cores to help bring more life to your creations through smooth blending and shading.
You can find these in packs 36, 48, 72, 132, or 150. These are the best colored pencils for artists with varied, bright pigments.
Consumers enjoy the variety of color options available. They also mention the ease of blending the colors and how you can press down hard without ruining the paper or the pencil.
Choose these Prismacolor Colored Pencils if you need a good variety of colors to choose from that are effortless to blend.
Features
- Soft, thick core
- A large variety of richly saturated pigments
- Pre-sharpened
- Storage case
Pros
- Organized well in the case
- Blends easy
- Slide well on the paper
- Quality softcore
- Numerous colors to use
Cons
- Consumers notice the lead breaks easily while sharpening
8. ARTEZA #2 HB Wood Cased Graphite Pencils
The ARTEZA #2 HB Wood Cased Graphite Pencils come in various sets from 12 to 180.
One of their highlights is the old-fashioned eraser design intended to remain secure and erase cleanly. They write smoothly as well, and the lead is firm enough to hold up over hard use.
There are student consumers of various grade levels that mention how well and smoothly these write. Their eraser design is intended to remain in place under frequent use.
If you need quality wooden pencils with good erasers, this box set is a good choice as the erasers are secured and erased well with no smudges left behind.
Features
- Multiple sets available
- Secure erasers
- Smooth lead
- Latex-free erasers
- Satin matte finish
Pros
- The grip is comfortable and easy to maintain
- Clean erasing
- Hard lead core
- Certified non-toxic
Cons
- Some consumers complain pencils have an odor
9. BIC Xtra-Fun Stripes Graphite Pencil
The BIC Xtra-Fun Stripes Graphite Pencil is a set that’s good for classroom use considering they’re non-toxic.
You can create random color combinations with interchangeable eraser caps. They come in packs of 6 or packs of 18. Their lead helps you create smooth, easily legible lines that erase well.
Consumers seem to talk most about how easy these are for both adult students and child students to use. They write up nicely, and consumers like how clean they erase.
If you want a pop of color and fun with your writing, consider these pencils with interchangeable, colorful eraser caps. Lines are smooth and erased with little effort.
Features
- Brightly colored striped barrels
- Interchangeable eraser caps
- Various pack sizes available
- PMA certified non-toxic
- #2 lead
Pros
- Easy to change eraser caps
- Clean erasing
- Lead breaks evenly
- Latex-free eraser
Cons
- Might break in half too easily
10. AmazonBasics Colored Wood Pencils
The AmazonBasics Colored Pencils are good quality pencils available in color sets of 24, 48, or 72. They come in a metal case for storage.
While in use, they don’t wear down fast, so they may last you quite sometime before needing to replace.
Consumers are talking about the simplicity of colored pencils and how smooth and soft the pigments are. The pencils re-sharpen easily as well.
These are a good set of colored pencils if you need something simple that doesn’t break off when it’s time to re-sharpen. Their fine tip holds long enough though that frequent re-sharpening isn’t needed.
Features
- Multiple sets of colors
- Storage case with built-in tray
- Fine tip
- Soft lead with rich pigments
Pros
- Soft pigments for blending, shading, and layering
- Color names are easy to read
- Quality storage case
- Re-sharpen without breaking
Cons
- Tips may crumble and leave dust behind
Making the Decision
The pencil sets in this list are intended for a variety of use from taking tests at school, to creating drawings in a sketchbook. When deciding on which set to choose, it’s more of a personal choice based on how many you need, if you need colored pencils or standard ones, and whether quality erasers are important.
If you need the best wood case pencil, then go with the Palomino Blackwing Pencils 12 Count. They have replaceable erasers, feel comfortable in your hand, and stay sharp long
