Wood Pencils

No. 2 pencils are essential items in school

Schools use a variety of supplies. Some of the more important items are writing implements, including pens, pencils, and markers. Among them, wooden pencils are the essential tools for school, because they also come with erasers that let students correct mistakes as they learn. A No. 2 pencil contains a writing core mixture of graphite and clay. It doesn’t smudge like a softer No. 1 core, so it's less messy. It also leaves a darker imprint on paper than harder No. 3 or 4 writing cores, which may be too faint for presentation purposes.

No. 2 pencils made to fit students' hands

Pencils for students come in two basic diameters to give all kids the most comfortable, confident grip on the barrels. Jumbo wooden pencils are for kindergartners and first-graders. Some beginner pencils are also triangular, to accustom students to using the proper index-finger and thumb grip. Students from second grade onward use the narrower 6-sided barrels for writing and math. Both jumbo and standard No. 2 wooden pencils have erasers attached with aluminum ferrules so that students can be aggressive with corrections.

No. 2 pencils come in a variety of designs

Student pencils come in many different barrel colors and designs, including metallic and glitter. Others have patterns ranging from geometric shapes to hearts, diamonds, and chevrons, or different themes, from seasonal and holiday to sports and cartoons. A huge selection have inspirational messages inscribed on the barrels to motivate kids in different grades, or messages of appreciation from teachers for work well done.

No. 2 pencils are also for specialists

Pencils with No. 2 cores come in kits with other kinds, while people can also use the No. 2 cores on their own or combined with other materials to create specialty writing tools. The following are some examples:

• Artist sketch pencils -- professional drawing instruments in extra-refined, high-density graphite for wide and narrow, bold and silky lines
• Flat sketching pencils -- extra-wide, graphite-clay cores for broad strokes by calligraphers and architects
• Mechanical pencils -- plastic or metal tubes with twist mechanisms for moving the graphite-clay tips to the writing surface
• Sketch and wash pencils -- a mix of graphite and normal cedar for use with water or wet surfaces to create a variety of unique black and gray brush-style strokes

Purchasing pencils in bulk is the optimal choice for schools and testing venues. Most of the uniquely designed pencils are available for larger quantity purchases, including those that teachers want on hand as student appreciation gifts.