This is a followup to my Staedtler Norica HB review. Someone asked for a comparison of the graphite darkness with the Ticonderoga EnviroStick. Since I was playing with pencils, I decided to throw a few more in.

HB Pencil Lineup

Staedtler Norica, Ticonderoga EnviroStick, Dixon Toconderoga Black, Mirado Black Warrior, General’s Cedar Pointe, Field Notes, USA, Empire, Vintage Sunday School

Comparison Scribbles

Results
Most of these pencils are sufficiently dark for everyday writing. The Ticonderoga EnviroStick is the darkest of the bunch, but the Staedtler Norica is right behind. Both of these are great pencils.

The Dixon Ticonderoga Black is lighter and a bit disappointing compared to the EnviroStick. A black pencil should be bold and dark, like good black coffee!

There’s a dose of absolutely fine middle of the pack pencils. Mirado Black Warrior, General’s Cedar Pointe, and Field Notes pencil are all perfectly fine. Starbucks offers more than 80,000 drink options. We should all have pencils options as well. Pick your love!

The No-Good-Terrible-Very-Bad-Coffee Award
The No-Good-Terrible-Very-Bad-Coffee Award goes to the generic USA pencil. This is a horrid pencil. It’s so light I don’t know how it can be classified as an HB. It’s good for writing down things that you don’t want to remember because it’s too light to read. And, some of you bought these–or ones just like them–for your kids to take to school this year. SHAME ON YOU! Show your kid some love. Go buy your kid some good pencils. For quality and value I recommend the Staedtler Norica HB purchased on special.

Don’t forget to carry your vintage Sunday School Birthday pencil!