Many machine-read tests are still scored from cards marked with this pencil. Scantron and other manufacturers of modern optical test scoring machines recommend any HB #2 medium-soft lead pencil. There are no "standard" HB #2 pencils, however, because manufacturers worldwide have their own individual lead hardness criteria -- some even use an all-plastic "lead." Thus, this pencil thrives because it is made with a concentration of actual graphite whose opaque density ensures that it will trigger optical scanners. Another real secret of its popularity is that it writes very smoothly, with a dark line. It is probably the most popular writing pencil among teachers, and crossword and sudoku puzzle enthusiasts. Historical Note: There once were scanning systems that identified pencil marks by looking for their electrical conductivity. Electrical feelers at each end of the markable area made contact with that area and could detect pencil marks via the lead's ability to conduct electric current. To ensure enough conductivity, those forms had to be filled out with special pencils having high conductivity leads. The IBM Electrographic pencil was such a pencil. Pencil leads conforming to electrographic technology were often referred to as "mark sense" leads and were widely available until the late 1960s.
N**N
Great for working on crossword puzzles
I use these for working on newspaper crossword puzzles and they are perfect. The lead is soft enough that I don’t have to press hard and it erases easily. Newspaper print is notoriously small and difficult to read and the crossword grids are hard to work on, so these pencils are very helpful. I wish newspaper publishers would realize that many of us who do crossword puzzles are old with less-than- perfect eyesight and we would like print that is a little larger and bolder.
C**Y
Love it
By far best testing pencils. My old school signify oefered these for testing. My new district doesn’t provide. I ordered and keep a strict log for test materials. I only allow district paper and pencil exams with my students to use these pencils.Students that don’t color bubbles dark, this pencil prevents this. I recommend this for any scan team test
A**R
Five Stars, only if...
I originally purchased the Black Ticonderoga pencils, the eraser was much superior than the one to these pencils, and the barrel was much more comfortable, but I had to return them because the lead was not dark enough.Pros:1)Price2) Dark soft LeadCons:1) Bad Eraser—Will need to use a different one.2) Shape of Pencil—Could have been more comfortable if not so sharply angular. A rounder barrel would have been better.Since I like the darkness of the lead, I will keep them, lightly sand the edges down, and use a separate eraser.
R**D
THE BEST PENCIL EVER
I hoard these pencils and do not allow anyone to use them except for me! I am a lefty, and it is difficult to find a pencil that is dark but doesn't smudge when dragging my hand. The lead is soft and writes well. I use pencil extenders so I don't waste any bit of these pencils.
E**L
sharpener handy
This thing has to be sharpened so frequently you won't use up the eraser, but man, is it smooth. Give them now as gifts
T**Y
Dark Lines
The graphite in these pencils make for very dark lines on the page, much darker than your standard number two pencil. In order to achieve these darker marks, they must compromise the hardness of the point and to maintain a precise point I must sharpen them frequently. While I enjoy the effect, I have found it is easier to use a heavier graphite like this in a mechanical pencil, where I can simply click up a bit more and continue writing.I was willing to pay a bit more for these pencils than I would at a discount or dollar store because they were manufactured here in the United States. I'm proud to support American workers!
M**T
I love how these pencils write
I love how these pencils write! Very dark, clear and comfortable. The cons: the erasers could have been made of better quality. They smudge a lot. But since I use these for taking notes and because the dark pencil lines write over the smudges clearly, the smudge problem is not that important to me. The pencils are so soft that sharpening them makes their service life very short.
M**D
My Favorite Pencils
I'm a musician and these are absolutely the best pencils for score marking. There is a metallic quality to the lead that makes it very visible compared to the dullness of regular pencils. The lead is also firm. The erasers are not the best though. I have to use eraser caps instead.
Trustpilot
3 weeks ago
2 weeks ago