--- title: "Best Wooden Pencils for Writing: Blackwing to Hi-Uni" canonical: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-wooden-pencils-for-writing/" description: "Best wooden pencils for writing on published specs: Blackwing 602, Pearl and Matte, uni 9800, Hi-Uni, Ticonderoga No. 2 and Derwent Graphic, with grades." category: "Pencils" type: "Pencil" published: 2026-10-23 updated: 2026-10-23 author: "Ellis Penhale" publisher: "Stationery Times" sources: 7 products: - name: "Mitsubishi uni 9800 wood-cased pencil (2H–2B, box of 12)" brand: "uni" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Japan" material: "Cedar wood, green lacquer with gold lettering, graphite core (Bungu)" released: "1946-09" price_band: "$ (under $5 per pencil (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd." model: "9800" mpn: "K9800HB" gtin: "4902778002629" url: "https://www.mpuni.co.jp/products/pencils/black/office/general/9800.html" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/uni-9800-pencil/" - name: "Blackwing 602 (firm core, box of 12)" brand: "Blackwing" brand_origin: "United States" made_in: "Japan" material: "Incense-cedar wood (California and Oregon), Japanese graphite core" released: "2011" price_band: "$ (under $5 per pencil (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "California Cedar Products Company (Cal Cedar), Stockton, California" sku: "105330-2026" gtin: "820933110252" url: "https://blackwing602.com/products/blackwing-602-set-of-12" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/blackwing-602/" - name: "Blackwing Pearl (balanced core, box of 12)" brand: "Blackwing" brand_origin: "United States" made_in: "Japan" material: "Incense-cedar barrel, Japanese graphite core (Blackwing, Amazon US)" released: "2013-05-02" price_band: "$ (under $5 per pencil (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "California Cedar Products Company (Cal Cedar), Stockton, California" sku: "105331" gtin: "820933110528" url: "https://blackwing602.com/products/blackwing-pearl-set-of-12" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/blackwing-pearl/" - name: "Blackwing Matte (soft core, box of 12)" brand: "Blackwing" brand_origin: "United States" made_in: "Japan" material: "Genuine incense-cedar from California and Oregon, Japanese graphite core" released: "2010-10" price_band: "$ (under $5 per pencil (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "California Cedar Products Company (Cal Cedar), Stockton, California" gtin: "820933110245" url: "https://blackwing602.com/products/blackwing-set-of-12" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/blackwing-matte/" - name: "Mitsubishi Hi-Uni wood-cased pencil (10B–10H)" brand: "uni" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Japan" material: "Wood case, graphite core" released: "1966" price_band: "$ (under $5 per pencil (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd." model: "HU" mpn: "HUHB" gtin: "4902778972984" url: "https://www.mpuni.co.jp/products/pencils/black/uni_series/hi_uni.html" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/uni-hi-uni-pencil/" - name: "Ticonderoga No. 2 HB wood-cased pencil, yellow" brand: "Ticonderoga" brand_origin: "United States" made_in: "China" material: "Wood case (responsibly managed forests, per Ticonderoga), graphite core, eraser glued into a metal ferrule" released: "1913" price_band: "$ (under $5 per pencil (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Dixon Ticonderoga Company (USA), part of F.I.L.A. Group (Italy)" model: "X13806 (pre-sharpened 12); X13924 (unsharpened 24)" mpn: "X13806" gtin: "072067138064" url: "https://weareticonderoga.com/products/classic-pencils/classic-yellow-wood-cased-pencils-sharpened" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/ticonderoga-2-pencil/" - name: "Derwent Graphic graphite pencil (13B–9H; Medium tin 34214)" brand: "Derwent" brand_origin: "United Kingdom" made_in: "United Kingdom" material: "Graphite cores in hexagonal wood barrels; metal tin (Derwent, Amazon)" price_band: "$ (under $5 per pencil (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "ACCO UK Ltd." model: "34214" url: "https://www.derwentart.com/en-gb/p/34214/gifts-offers/festive-deals/derwent-graphic-medium-pencils-12-tin" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/derwent-graphic-pencils/" --- # Best Wooden Pencils for Writing: Blackwing to Hi-Uni > On published specs, the best wooden pencils for writing are the Mitsubishi uni 9800 for everyday notes, the Blackwing 602 for a firm dark line with an eraser, the Hi-Uni for the widest Japanese grade range, and the Ticonderoga No. 2 for a cheap eraser-tipped classic. Pick HB or B for notes, 2B for a darker, softer feel. - URL: https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-wooden-pencils-for-writing/ - Category: Pencils - Author: Ellis Penhale - Published: 2026-10-23 - Updated: 2026-10-23 ![Seven wooden pencils drawn to scale, from the green uni 9800 and three Blackwings to the maroon Hi-Uni, yellow Ticonderoga and Derwent Graphic](https://stationerytimes.com/images/raster/best-wooden-pencils-for-writing-16x9.png) *Drawn to scale · 1 mm = 1.2 px · unsharpened lengths* Original drawing (SVG): . Drawings © 2026 Stationery Times, reusable with credit under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). ## Product facts | Product | Brand | Brand origin | Made in | Material | Released | Price range (typical US retail, October 2026) | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Mitsubishi uni 9800 wood-cased pencil (2H–2B, box of 12) | uni (by Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd.) | Japan | Japan | Cedar wood, green lacquer with gold lettering, graphite core (Bungu) | 1946-09 | $: under $5 per pencil (multi-packs divided by the count) | | Blackwing 602 (firm core, box of 12) | Blackwing (by California Cedar Products Company (Cal Cedar), Stockton, California) | United States | Japan | Incense-cedar wood (California and Oregon), Japanese graphite core | 2011 | $: under $5 per pencil (multi-packs divided by the count) | | Blackwing Pearl (balanced core, box of 12) | Blackwing (by California Cedar Products Company (Cal Cedar), Stockton, California) | United States | Japan | Incense-cedar barrel, Japanese graphite core (Blackwing, Amazon US) | 2013-05-02 | $: under $5 per pencil (multi-packs divided by the count) | | Blackwing Matte (soft core, box of 12) | Blackwing (by California Cedar Products Company (Cal Cedar), Stockton, California) | United States | Japan | Genuine incense-cedar from California and Oregon, Japanese graphite core | 2010-10 | $: under $5 per pencil (multi-packs divided by the count) | | Mitsubishi Hi-Uni wood-cased pencil (10B–10H) | uni (by Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd.) | Japan | Japan | Wood case, graphite core | 1966 | $: under $5 per pencil (multi-packs divided by the count) | | Ticonderoga No. 2 HB wood-cased pencil, yellow | Ticonderoga (by Dixon Ticonderoga Company (USA), part of F.I.L.A. Group (Italy)) | United States | China | Wood case (responsibly managed forests, per Ticonderoga), graphite core, eraser glued into a metal ferrule | 1913 | $: under $5 per pencil (multi-packs divided by the count) | | Derwent Graphic graphite pencil (13B–9H; Medium tin 34214) | Derwent (by ACCO UK Ltd.) | United Kingdom | United Kingdom | Graphite cores in hexagonal wood barrels; metal tin (Derwent, Amazon) | – | $: under $5 per pencil (multi-packs divided by the count) | - Made in (Mitsubishi uni 9800 wood-cased pencil (2H–2B, box of 12)): Japan. Bungu, a Japanese stationery retailer, lists the 9800 as made in Japan. Mitsubishi Pencil's product page doesn't state the country of manufacture. Source: https://bungu.store/collections/pencils/products/9800-pencil-dozen-pack-mistubishi-pencil - Made in (Blackwing 602 (firm core, box of 12)): Japan. Blackwing's description of its 2026 factory film, quoted by Kottke, says the graphite is formulated in Kofu, Japan, the pencils are pressed and lacquered at a woodworking facility in Tokyo, and they are imprinted, fitted with the ferrule, checked and hand-packed at Blackwing's headquarters in Stockton, California. Blackwing's FAQ names California and Oregon incense-cedar and Japanese graphite; The Journal Shop's FAQ says the pencils are crafted in Japan. Blackwing's product page doesn't state a country of origin. Source: https://kottke.org/26/09/how-blackwing-pencils-are-made - Made in (Blackwing Pearl (balanced core, box of 12)): Japan. Tacto Studio lists the Pearl as made in Japan, and the Amazon US listing names "Made in Japan" among its features. Blackwing's own pages say its pencils use California incense-cedar and premium Japanese graphite but don't name the factory country. Source: https://tacto-studio.com/products/palomino-blackwing-pearl-graphite-pencils - Made in (Blackwing Matte (soft core, box of 12)): Japan. Blackwing's own FAQ says its pencils use genuine incense-cedar from California and Oregon and premium Japanese graphite, but doesn't name the factory country. Tacto Studio and Boston General Store list the Matte as made in Japan, and The Journal Shop's Blackwing FAQ says the pencils are crafted in Japan. One retailer (Jenni Bick) says "Made in U.S.A.", which may refer to the final imprinting and packing that coverage of Blackwing's factory film places in Stockton, California. Source: https://tacto-studio.com/products/blackwing-matte-graphite-pencils - Made in (Mitsubishi Hi-Uni wood-cased pencil (10B–10H)): Japan. Hunter Paper Co. lists the single Hi-Uni pencil and the Art Set as made in Japan, and STL Art Supply and The Journal Shop say the same; we found no retailer listing another country. Mitsubishi Pencil's Japanese product pages don't state it. Source: https://hunterpaperco.com/products/mitsubishi-hi-uni-pencil - Made in (Ticonderoga No. 2 HB wood-cased pencil, yellow): China. Stop & Shop lists China for the 24-count unsharpened pack and Giant lists China for the 18-count sharpened pack; a distributor listed China for the 30-count 13830. Some 12-count listings (13882 at Monk Office, 13806 on eBay) gave Mexico when we first checked. F.I.L.A.'s Italian site lists production sites for Dixon in Appleton, Wisconsin and Tultitlán, Mexico, so origin can vary by pack. Ticonderoga's product pages don't state it; check the box. Source: https://stopandshop.com/groceries/product/ticonderoga-2-pencils-yellow-24-ct-pkg/213861 - Made in (Derwent Graphic graphite pencil (13B–9H; Medium tin 34214)): United Kingdom. Derwent says it has made pencils in the Lake District, UK, since 1916, and a 2010 PencilTalk review shows a Graphic HB stamped England. Derwent's Graphic page doesn't state a country for current pencils, so check the barrel. Source: https://www.derwentart.com/en-us/p/34202/professional/pencils/derwent-graphic-pencils,-metal-tin,-24-count ## Key takeaways - The uni 9800 has been Mitsubishi Pencil's office pencil since September 1946, in six grades from 2H to 2B at ¥660 (about US$4.20) a dozen. - Blackwing's four core pencils run Matte (soft, about 3B), Pearl (balanced, about 2B), 602 (firm) and Natural (extra firm), all 20.5 cm with a replaceable eraser. - The Hi-Uni comes in 22 grades from 10B to 10H at ¥1,980 (about US$13) a dozen; Derwent Graphic in 24 grades from 13B to 9H. - Ticonderoga's No. 2 is 190 mm long with a 7.1 mm barrel and a latex-free eraser; current US listings give China as its origin. - Every pick is in our $ band (under $5 per pencil); a Blackwing costs more per pencil than a Ticonderoga but stays in the band. ## What are the best wooden pencils for writing? **On published specs, the best wooden pencils for writing are the Mitsubishi uni 9800 for everyday notes, the Blackwing 602 for a firm, dark line with an eraser, the Hi-Uni for the widest Japanese grade range, and the Ticonderoga No. 2 as the cheap eraser-tipped classic.** The uni 9800 leads for everyday notes because it's a cheap cedar pencil in six writing grades, on sale since 1946. Our [drawing pencils](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-drawing-pencils/) guide covers the soft artist grades. - **Best everyday pencil:** [uni 9800](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/uni-9800-pencil/). *Why it's here:* a cedar pencil in six grades for about ¥55 (about US$0.30) each in Japan, on sale since 1946, far cheaper than the premium picks. - **Best premium writer:** [Blackwing 602](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/blackwing-602/). *Why it's here:* the premium pick with an eraser, a firm core under a flat gold ferrule with a replaceable eraser, Eberhard Faber's 1934 design revived in 2011. - **Softer Blackwings:** [Pearl](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/blackwing-pearl/) (about 2B) and [Matte](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/blackwing-matte/) (about 3B). *Why they're here:* softer than the 602, for a darker line that needs more sharpening. - **Widest Japanese range:** [Hi-Uni](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/uni-hi-uni-pencil/). *Why it's here:* 22 grades from 10B to 10H, the most of the Japanese pencils, in a maroon barrel. - **Best cheap classic:** [Ticonderoga No. 2](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/ticonderoga-2-pencil/). *Why it's here:* the cheap eraser-tipped classic, a yellow HB since 1913, at a few cents a pencil. - **Best British option:** [Derwent Graphic](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/derwent-graphic-pencils/). *Why it's here:* the most grades here (24, 13B to 9H), made in the Lake District. ## How did we choose these picks? **We compiled these picks from published sources, not hands-on testing: makers' grade lists and specs, retailer listings, US availability and price band.** We kept pencils sold singly or by the dozen in writing grades, HB to 2B, from makers that publish their specs; all seven sit in our $ band. ## How do the pencils compare? **All seven sit in our $ band (under $5 per pencil), from a few cents for a Ticonderoga to about a dollar for a Hi-Uni or Blackwing.** Lengths are unsharpened figures from the makers or retailers in each guide. | Pencil | Writing grades | Length | Eraser | Made in | Band | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | uni 9800 | 2H, H, F, HB, B, 2B | About 176 mm (6.9 in) | No | Japan | $ (under $5) | | Blackwing 602 | Firm (between HB and B) | 205 mm (8 in) | Yes, replaceable | Japan | $ | | Blackwing Pearl | Balanced (about 2B) | 205 mm (8 in) | Yes, replaceable | Japan | $ | | Blackwing Matte | Soft (about 3B) | 205 mm (8 in) | Yes, replaceable | Japan | $ | | Hi-Uni | 10B to 10H (22) | About 176 mm (6.9 in) | No | Japan | $ | | Ticonderoga No. 2 | HB (also No. 1, 2.5, 3, 4) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | Yes | China | $ | | Derwent Graphic | 13B to 9H (24) | About 176 mm (6.9 in) | No | United Kingdom | $ | ## Which grade should you write with? **HB for most notes, B or 2B if you press lightly or want a darker page.** Our [pencil grades guide](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pencil-grades-explained/) explains the scale; in short, Mitsubishi's HB core is about 7 parts graphite to 3 parts clay, and each step toward B adds graphite for a darker, softer line. Blackwing avoids the scale and ranks its own four cores from soft to extra firm; its Japanese store equates the Pearl to about 2B and the Matte to about 3B. Softer cores wear faster, so a Matte needs the sharpener more often than a 602 or a 9800 HB. For exams or forms read by machine, HB or No. 2 is the safe choice. ## Does the eraser matter? **Only if you use it: the Blackwings and Ticonderoga have one, the Japanese and British pencils do not.** Blackwing's flat ferrule holds a replaceable eraser sold in packs, and the Ticonderoga's latex-free eraser is the one most US students grew up with. Mitsubishi and Derwent leave the end bare, which some writers prefer because the pencil balances better; our [erasers guide](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-erasers/) covers the block erasers to pair with them. ## Where are these pencils made? **Japan for the Mitsubishi and Blackwing pencils, England for Derwent, and China for the current Ticonderoga.** Blackwing says its core pencils are crafted in Japan, Mitsubishi Pencil makes the 9800 and Hi-Uni in Japan, Derwent has made pencils in the Lake District since 1916, and Dixon Ticonderoga's US listings give China as the country of origin. ## Frequently asked questions ### What pencil grade is best for writing? HB or B. HB is the US No. 2, dark enough to read and hard enough to hold a point; B and 2B feel softer and darker but need sharpening sooner. Mitsubishi gives its HB core as about 7 parts graphite to 3 parts clay. ### Is the Blackwing 602 good for writing? Yes. It is the firm grade of Blackwing's four core pencils, so it holds a point longer than the Pearl or Matte while writing darker than a typical HB. It has a replaceable eraser and costs more per pencil than an office pencil, though still within our $ band. ### What is the difference between the uni 9800 and the Hi-Uni? Both are Mitsubishi Pencil cedar pencils. The 9800 is the green office pencil from 1946 in six grades at about ¥55 (about US$0.30) each; the Hi-Uni from 1966 is the top grade in 22 degrees from 10B to 10H at ¥165 (about US$1.00) each. ### Which wooden pencil has the best eraser? The Blackwings carry a flat, replaceable eraser in a gold ferrule; the Ticonderoga has a latex-free eraser in its green-and-yellow ferrule. The uni 9800, Hi-Uni and Derwent Graphic have no eraser, so pair them with a block eraser. ### Are Blackwing pencils made in Japan? Yes. Blackwing, a brand of California Cedar Products, says its core pencils are crafted in Japan. The uni 9800 and Hi-Uni are made in Japan by Mitsubishi Pencil, the Derwent Graphic in England, and current US listings give China for the Ticonderoga No. 2. ### How long is a standard wooden pencil? About 175 to 190 mm unsharpened: Mitsubishi lists the 9800 at about 176 mm, Target lists the Ticonderoga at 7.5 in (190 mm), and retailers list the Blackwings at 20.5 cm (8 in) because of the eraser ferrule. ### Which pencil is best for students? The Ticonderoga No. 2 in the US and the uni 9800 in Japan: both HB, both cheap by the dozen. For a student who draws, the Hi-Uni or Derwent Graphic adds the soft grades. ## Sources - [三菱鉛筆: 9800 (since September 1946; 2H–2B; ¥660 per dozen)](https://www.mpuni.co.jp/products/pencil/9800/9800.html) - [三菱鉛筆: ハイユニ (22 grades 10B–10H, ¥1,980 per dozen; launched 1966)](https://www.mpuni.co.jp/products/pencil/hiuni/hiuni.html) - [Blackwing: 602 (firm graphite, replaceable eraser; the four core grades)](https://blackwing602.com/products/blackwing-602) - [Blackwing: Pearl (balanced graphite)](https://blackwing602.com/products/blackwing-pearl) - [Blackwing: Matte (soft graphite)](https://blackwing602.com/products/blackwing-matte) - [Dixon Ticonderoga: #2 HB Pencils (9/32 in diameter, latex-free eraser; 1913)](https://www.dixonticonderoga.com/products/ticonderoga-pencils) - [Derwent: Graphic Pencils (24 grades 13B–9H; Medium tin 34214; made in the Lake District)](https://www.derwentart.com/en-gb/c/graphite/graphic-pencils)