Number 2 pencils

[applecider]

How the crap do you know if your pencil is a number 2 pencil? I have TONS of pencils from all over the place, parades, easter baskets, birthdays...how do I know if they are number 2? This is really irritating and I hope I don't have to go out and actually BUY pencils

[SumnerRain]

I think now days most pencils are #2, and they will have a "2" on them, usually up by the eraser.

[Teensy]

I have a vague impression that it matters on fill-in-the-bubble tests that the pencil be #2. But for regular, day to day, classwork, I think the teacher would be happy with any assortment of sharpened pencils.

So I'd just sharpen them up and them in regardless (some other parent surely sent in a box of #2 Ticonderogos they can save for test time).

I could be wrong though.

[velochic]

I'm a pencil, pen and paper geek. Pencils in the US are almost always 2HB. If not indicated, then assume that. It doesn't really matter, anyway. Just send the pencils that you have.

[velochic]

Originally Posted by Teensy

I have a vague impression that it matters on fill-in-the-bubble tests that the pencil be #2. But for regular, day to day, classwork, I think the teacher would be happy with any assortment of sharpened pencils.

So I'd just sharpen them up and them in regardless (some other parent surely sent in a box of #2 Ticonderogos they can save for test time).

I could be wrong though.

It used to matter. The optical readers had to have a certain amount of reflectivity from the bubble filled in. It's no longer an issue. Dd (in the US) uses 2.5 F pencils because that's what she likes to write with. I personally only use 2H (I buy the Staedtler "Norris" pencils from the UK).

[Mrs-Mama]

Growing up my dad had a pencil set that included a #1, #2, and #3 pencil. The #1 pencil wrote very dark and the #3 pencil wrote very light. I say if the writing looks normal to you, it is probably #2.

[tbone_kneegrabber]

They are probably #2, nowadays you have pay extra for other kinds of pencils, mostly used for art and such.

[Cyllya]

Growing up my dad had a pencil set that included a #1, #2, and #3 pencil. The #1 pencil wrote very dark and the #3 pencil wrote very light. I say if the writing looks normal to you, it is probably #2.

Yeah, if it looks like #2 writing, it's probably a #2, or at least the teacher won't be able to tell the difference. The lead types refer to how soft the lead is and therefore how dark the writing will be. If the lead is too hard, it will take more pressure to write legibly and may even be impossible to make it write at the normal #2 darkness. Softer lead is darker but will break/crumble/dissolve faster.

[MusicianDad]

Like PPs said, now a days, most pencils are number 2. You have to look hard to find something that isn't. The only place I have ever seen a non-number 2 pencil is DH's art supplies.