Tri-Conderoga Executive Pencil
After elementary school, I didn't use pencils much -- until I started blogging. I keep my list of posts on a small notepad and I do so in pencil because the time and day of my posts change constantly. I'd always been a big fan of standard Dixons, but recently discovered their Tri-Conderoga. Unlike a standard-sized pencil in the vein of the previously-reviewed Derwent 3B, the Tri-Conderoga has a triangular shape and an increased girth, which make it nicely ergonomic, relaxing in the hand and very satisfying to use. After several weeks of daily use, I like using them even more.The satiny finish is lagniappe.
One negative: It's so large it doesn't fit in my Panasonic battery-powered sharpener. However, when you buy a box of 12, Dixon supplies a larger-bore hand-held sharpener. Bonus: when it gets shorter as you use/sharpen it, the pencil handles much better and is less annoying than a stubby regular pencil. Thus, I tend to use these longer before breaking in a new one.
-- Joseph Stirt
Tri-Conderoga Executive Pencil
$3.50 / dozen
(include analog sharpener)
Available from Amazon
Manufactured by Dixon Ticonderoga
Favorite (15)
meks
You left out the important questions:
1. How does it taste?
2. Can it beat a Sanford Husky in a pencil fight?
Sarah
I found this pencil less than stellar. It sharpens unevenly and then requires more frequent sharpening to even-out the sides of the pencil which are sharpened unevenly....
Laurence
It's unfortunate that the Amazon sellers are charging so much for shipping that a box of 12 ends up costing considerably more than $3.50.
Rich
Did you really just use the word "lagniappe"? Come on...
Ryan Tow
I ran out and got a box of these at Office Depot this afternoon.
Taste: neutral.
Very, very good on the twirlability front.
Too fat for my electric pencil sharpener.
Fun pencil.
David H.
So far, my favorite pencils are the Palominos from Calif. Republic Stationers. See: http://www.pencilrevolution.com/2005/09/review-of-california-republic-palomino/
Tomm
I ordered 4 boxes and since the shipping charge on the Amazon page didn't budge when I incremented the quantity, I figured I'd just eat the $7.25 charge, yucky as it tasted.
So when the order confirmation came in, the actual charge was $13 for the pencils and and $29 for shipping! Blech! Not yummy at all!
I complained. The merchant responded saying that the shipment had already gone out and they had refunded the entire shipping charge.
" Thank you for choosing Shoplet.com for all your office product needs. Please be advised the order has already shipped, but we have refunded the shipping charge. I will also forward the issue to upper management for review. We appreciate your business. If you have any further inquiries please feel free to contact me directly. Thank you for shopping with Shoplet.com and we hope to see you again soon."
John Kelly
"Analog Sharpener"!!!
arsinmsn
The Japanese pencil manufacturer Tombow makes a similar triangular pencil called the Kodo-mono. The only place I've found it is at Kinokuniya in NYC, where, as I recall, they cost about $1.00 apiece. They come in variety hardnesses, and have explanatory illustrations on the box explaining (in Japanese) how to use the pattern on the pencil to promote proper pencil grip in the young.
Amy
Bought a six-pack of these at Staples this weekend. They came with an analog sharpener. Haven't had a chance to try them out yet. Noticed that Ticonderoga also makes regular-width pencils that are triangle-shaped. They don't have the same feel as these, but they will fit in a regular pencil sharpener.
Rob
I have gone through about four boxes of the Triconderoga, and I have to agree with Sarah. The feel of the pencil is great, REAL great. It's a fun design, looks cool in flat black and has that nice rubber-feel to it. Overall its a fun, feel-good pencil.
However, Sarah is correct, the pencil sharpens unevenly and needs to be sharpened constantly. But I have to admit, it is seriously fun to write with.
Darrell
Dixon Tri-Conderoga sharpening problems:
I absolutely LOVE writing with this pencil! I prefer woodcase pencils over mechanical any day. A trio of solutions to the sharpening problem (which I have yet to run into): Staedtler (among others) makes a dual hole sharpener (similar to the one that comes with a six pack of Tri-Conderogas) that has a shaving receptical on it so as not get your pencil shavings everywhere - you should be careful, though, as it is easy to sharpen to a point that breaks easily. Second option is a good quality manual crank pencil sharpener w/ adjustable hole size (the exact same kind mounted on the walls of classrooms (at least back in my schol days)). These can be had at local office supply stores for approximately $15 - $20 U.S. dollars. Third option ( my favorite) is the EXACTO School Pro electric sharpener (by BOSTON Co.). It is a large pencil sharpener, with adjustable holes. I never cared much for electric sharpeners until I saw this one and decided to try it. Perfect point, EVERY time. It is a bit on the expensive side, for a pencil sharpener (IMHO) - approximately $45, but I have absolutely no regrets for buying it. Hope this helps!
p.s. - anyone know if the Tri-Conderoga is made with #1 graphite?