StoreDeal.ai store
Shop
  • Deals
  • Deal checker
  • Black Friday
  • Buying guides
  • Brands
  • Stores
Travel
  • Flight deals
  • Hotel deals
Company
  • Research
  • Press
  • deal.ai apps
Black Friday 2026
  • Walmart
  • Best Buy
  • Target
  • TVs
  • Laptops
  • Headphones
  • Apple
  • Gaming
  • Vacuums
  • Kitchen
  • Toys
  • Smartwatches
  • Tablets
  • Furniture
  • Mattresses
© Deal.ai Inc.
TermsPrivacy
Deal.ai › Compare

Pen+Gear #2 HB Unsharpened Wood Pencils vs Ticonderoga Wooden Pencil #2

Buy the Ticonderoga if you want the pencil most schools and test-takers trust: its 2.2mm #2 soft lead is smoother and resists breaking better than most store brands, and the cedar body sharpens cleanly. Buy the Pen+Gear 24-pack if you just need a dependable yellow #2 for desks, classrooms and shared supply bins and don't need premium lead. Owners rate the Pen+Gear highly at 4.7 from over 11,000 ratings, but Ticonderoga's long-standing reputation for consistent lead and fewer duds gives it the edge on build and writing feel.

  • Choose the Pen+Gear 24-pack if you want a simple, familiar yellow #2 pencil in a smaller count for everyday notes, homework and shared desks.
  • Choose the Ticonderoga 72-pack if you want smoother, break-resistant #2 lead and a larger supply that lasts a classroom or a full school year.

Prices

  • Pen+Gear #2 HB Unsharpened Wood Pencils: $2.99 at Amazon (last seen Nov 10)
  • Ticonderoga Wooden Pencil #2: $7.83 at Amazon (last seen Nov 10)
  • Difference: the Pen+Gear #2 HB Unsharpened Wood Pencils is $4.84 cheaper than the Ticonderoga Wooden Pencil #2 at the latest prices (Nov 10)
Pen+Gear
Pen+Gear #2 HB Unsharpened Wood Pencils, Yellow, 24 Count

Pen+Gear #2 HB Unsharpened Wood Pencils

Pen+Gear #2 HB Unsharpened Wood Pencils, Yellow, 24 Count

4.7(11,680 ratings)
$2.99at AmazonChecked 10 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

Pros
  • Familiar round yellow barrel that is easy to hold
  • Works with most standard sharpeners
  • Large rating base with strong owner scores
  • Good for classrooms and shared supply areas
Cons
  • No eraser included
  • Unsharpened, so you sharpen before first use
  • Standard lead breaks more easily than premium brands
  • Round barrel can roll off desks
Ticonderoga
Ticonderoga The World's Best Pencil Wooden Pencil, 2.2mm, #2 Soft Lead, 72/Pack (33904)

Ticonderoga Wooden Pencil #2

Ticonderoga The World's Best Pencil Wooden Pencil, 2.2mm, #2 Soft Lead, 72/Pack (33904)

$7.83at AmazonChecked 10 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

Pros
  • Smooth 2.2mm #2 soft lead writes cleanly and resists breaking
  • Cedar body sharpens evenly with less splintering
  • Hexagonal barrel stays put on desks
  • Large 72-count pack covers a full class or school year
Cons
  • No eraser included
  • Unsharpened, so every pencil needs sharpening first
  • Bulk pack is more than a single desk needs
  • Some owners find the soft lead wears down faster

What separates them

Pen+Gear #2 HB Unsharpened Wood PencilsTiconderoga Wooden Pencil #2
LeadStandard #2 HB graphite2.2mm #2 soft lead, smoother and more break-resistant
Pack size24 pencils72 pencils
BarrelRound yellow barrelClassic yellow hexagonal barrel that resists rolling
WoodStandard wood constructionCedar, sharpens cleanly with less splintering
SharpeningWorks with most standard sharpenersSharpens evenly in standard and electric sharpeners
EraserNo eraser includedNo eraser included
Pre-sharpenedUnsharpenedUnsharpened
Owner feedback4.7 out of 5 from over 11,000 ratingsWidely regarded as the benchmark #2 pencil

Price history

$6.49$1.94
Nov 9Nov 11
  • Pen+Gear #2 HB Unsharpened Wood Pencils: lowest $1.94 on Nov 11 at Walmart.
  • Ticonderoga Wooden Pencil #2: lowest $6.49 on Nov 9 at Staples; $6.49 on Nov 11.

Prices at every store

Pen+Gear #2 HB Unsharpened Wood Pencils

  • eBayNew

    In stock

    $5.00Checked 10 h ago
    Visit eBay
  • PoshmarkNew

    In stock

    $5.00+ $6.49 shippingChecked 10 h ago
    Visit Poshmark
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $2.99Checked 10 h ago
    Visit Amazon
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownSold by ddee2786 (98.2% positive, 306 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $3.98Free shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit eBay

Also available at

  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 6 stores and price history →

Ticonderoga Wooden Pencil #2

  • StaplesNew

    In stock

    $6.49+ $9.95 shippingChecked 10 h ago
    Visit Staples
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $7.83Checked 10 h ago
    Visit Amazon
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownSold by squigmillion (100% positive, 6,300 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $5.94+ $6.00 shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit eBay
  • Christianbook.comNew

    Availability unknown

    $12.66Checked 10 h ago
    Visit Christianbook.com

Also available at

  • eBayCheck price at eBay

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 4 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecPen+Gear #2 HB Unsharpened Wood PencilsTiconderoga Wooden Pencil #2
multipack_quantity1—
colorYellow—
sizeOne Size—
actual_colorYellow—
Brand—Ticonderoga
Type—Wooden

What reviewers say

Pen+Gear #2 HB Unsharpened Wood Pencils

  • 4.7 / 511,680 ratings

With over 11,000 ratings averaging 4.7, buyers mostly describe these as reliable everyday pencils that sharpen cleanly and write without much smudging. Complaints are minor and center on the missing eraser and the need to sharpen them out of the box.

What people mention
  • SharpeningPraisedBuyers say the wood sharpens cleanly in standard sharpeners with few broken tips.
  • WritingPraisedOwners describe smooth, consistent lines and standard #2 darkness for tests and notes.
  • ValuePraisedReviewers like getting a large box of dependable pencils for everyday use.
  • EraserCriticisedSeveral buyers note there is no eraser on the end and they need a separate one.

Ticonderoga Wooden Pencil #2

Reviewers and owners consistently rate the Ticonderoga as one of the best wooden pencils available, citing smooth writing, clean sharpening and fewer broken tips. Complaints are mostly about the higher cost and the soft lead needing frequent sharpening.

What people mention
  • Lead smoothnessPraisedWriters say the soft graphite lays down a dark, smooth line with little pressure.
  • SharpeningPraisedOwners report the cedar sharpens cleanly and rarely splinters or breaks off.
  • CostCriticisedSome buyers say they pay noticeably more per pencil than for store brands.
  • Point wearMixedThe soft lead writes dark but dulls faster, so heavy writers sharpen more often.

Questions and answers

Which is better for standardized tests?
Both are #2 HB pencils, which is what test rules require. The Ticonderoga's soft lead marks darker and resists breaking under pressure, which many test-takers prefer.
Which lasts longer?
The Ticonderoga's cedar body and break-resistant lead tend to survive drops and sharpenings better. The Pen+Gear is fine for light daily use but its standard lead snaps more often.
Is the Ticonderoga worth stepping up to?
If you write a lot or sharpen often, yes. Smoother lead and cleaner sharpening make the upgrade noticeable. For occasional notes, the Pen+Gear does the job.
Do either come with erasers?
No. Both packs are unsharpened pencils with no eraser attached, so plan on a separate eraser or a pencil-top eraser.
Which is better for young students?
The Pen+Gear's round barrel is easy for small hands to grip. The Ticonderoga's hexagonal barrel resists rolling, which helps in classrooms where pencils get dropped.
Are they pre-sharpened?
Neither is pre-sharpened. You will need a standard or electric sharpener before first use.

Ask our shopping agent

It checks today's price at every store, compares the alternatives and answers in about a minute.

Enter to send, Shift+Enter for a new line

Buying guides that pick them

  • Best cheap bulk pencils