Comments on: The Dixon Oriole pencil and an unusual sharpener

By: David O.

David O. — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:13:45 +0000

Wow, I thought that Ticonderoga pencils were just made in Mexico.

By: Allan S

Allan S — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 03:38:01 +0000

I have some older Oriole pencils made in Mexico which are okay, and some MUCH older Orioles (about 20 years) from USA, which are fine quality. I will not be buying any newer Chinese Orioles, or indeed ANY new Dixon pencils ever again. I buy quality products made in many different countries, but for political reasons, I refuse to buy or use ANY products made in China. Maybe everyone else already knew, but when I happened to pick up some Dixon Ticonderoga pencils in a drug store a few months ago and noticed they were made in China now, I was heartbroken and bitterly disappointed. The TICONDEROGA PENCIL, named after FORT TICONDEROGA IN NEW YORK, USA – is made in China now. Well, I put them back where I found them and rushed right out and bought myself some GENERAL pencils to show my support for a U.S. company that hasn’t sold out yet. Frankly, I feel that if a great company like Dixon is going to sell out like that, then LET THEM GO OUT OF BUSINESS. If they’re not quality pencils anymore, and they’re not even made in USA anymore, then what’s the point? I’d rather remember them for what they were, rather than be depressed at what they’ve become. AND IF GENERAL PENCIL EVER GOES THE SAME WAY, I’LL SAY GOODBYE TO THEM TOO. Fortunately, I’ve got enough older, quality pencils saved up that I’ll never have to buy another one again, if that should become necessary, which I fear – realistically – may be very soon, in the dark days ahead when China takes over the world.

By: David O.

David O. — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:48:49 +0000

I recently bought some low cost Dixon (not Dixon Oriole) pencils and found them to be decent quality. The graphite is good for writing, sort of like the old “Eberhard Faber American 2 HB” pencils and they sharpen relatively well. This is on a sample of one, however. The wood is not cedar. Maybe basswood? Also, they have a standard diameter, as opposed to the Papermate brands which is a bit smaller diameter.

By: Susan

Susan — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 22:32:01 +0000

I have thrown away at least 100 of these Dixon Oriole pencils. They are unusable, I had 24 students buy 2 boxes each at our school supply sale. The lead falls out, they cannot be sharpened. My third graders decided they want to write to the company themselves. I’ll let you know if we receive response.

By: Max

Max — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 07:11:06 +0000

The Dixon Oriole is a common feature in my school, and they really are pretty disposable. Don’t even bother keeping one I would say.

By: Sam

Sam — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 17:31:53 +0000

Yah, the new Oriole pencils are worthless junk. The older ones, not long ago, were made in the US and are good. New ones are Chinese. Might as well throw them away. They’re made from sawdust scraped off the floor from that furniture China-Mart er… Wal Mart sells.

By: penciladmin

penciladmin — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 14:26:57 +0000

Thanks Futural. (I coudn’t get the pdf to download, though.) Leadholder.com’s catalogue section shows that this sharpener has been sold for decades!

By: Futural

Futural — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 18:53:50 +0000

Acording to M+R, Möbius + Ruppert english catalog http://www.moebius-ruppert.com/download/m_r_katalog_09_e.pdf
this special sharpener is magnesium made, the first opening is for standard pencils, a general purpose sharpening until Ø 8.2 mm long cone -long cone referring to the woodcase not the point-, another for shaving wood casing only, not grphite and the third sharpens the exposed graphite only, the previous two openings work as the KUM®-Automatic®.
I think M+R brand is very good qulity, their roots are older than KUM both of them Made in Germany, now the corkscrew-like marks? better to ask M+R but good theories here.

By: Zurück in die Zukunft - Lexikaliker

Zurück in die Zukunft - Lexikaliker — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:20:37 +0000

[...] Gerät kann ich nur spekulieren; ich vermute, dass zum Freilegen der Mine etwas ähnliches wie der Dreifach-Spitzer M+R 207 zum Einsatz kam. – In dem Ausschnitt erkennt man deutlich, dass die Produktabbildungen gezeichnet [...]

By: Lexikaliker - Zurück in die Zukunft

Lexikaliker - Zurück in die Zukunft — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 08:19:59 +0000

[...] Gerät kann ich nur spekulieren; ich vermute, dass zum Freilegen der Mine etwas ähnliches wie der Dreifach-Spitzer M+R 207 zum Einsatz [...]

By: Ticonderoga

Ticonderoga — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 16:00:38 +0000

The Dixon oriole is truly a disgrace to the Dixon brand. The brand was known for its U.S.A made pencils and high quality but they really screwed the pooch on the Oriole. I did a small test to find out which pencil brands were “best” (based on writing smoothness, eraser feel, and eraser job.) the Dixon oriole scored a 6 out of ten but I beleive it should have gotten a four, it was a terrible pencil

By: penciladmin

penciladmin — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:59:27 +0000

Audrey, good for you. Those must be a slightly older version you found.