How to Identify a Ticonderoga? The Green Ferrule!

The most recognizable feature of the Ticonderoga pencil is undoubtably its green ferrule. The shiny green metal with the yellow stripes means that it can only be a Ticonderoga pencil. However, Ticonderoga’s ferrule wasn’t always green.

The shiny metal sleeve that is usually made from aluminum and is crimped at each end to hold the eraser and wooden barrel together is known as the ferrule. Pencil manufacturers have used many interesting ferrule designs throughout the years, even competing for attention at one point for the most creative ferrule. In the 1930s, striving to have the fanciest ferrule became so competitive that the National Bureau of Standards set guidelines for how pencils in the United States could be priced based on their physical appearance. However, this didn’t stop Dixon Ticonderoga from producing pencils with higher-end ferrules to stand out against competition.

The yellow No. 2 Ticonderoga pencil was originally introduced with a brass ferrule in 1913, but was later substituted for cheaper green plastic and cardboard ferrules due to metal shortages during World War II. This temporary color change was so successful that the ferrule remained green with the yellow stripes after the war, even when it was once again produced with metal!

Today, the trademarked look of the Ticonderoga pencil, with its green ferrule and yellow stripes, has found its way into pop culture on baseball bats, clothing, art projects, and more. The classic yellow No. 2 pencils now also come in neon, pastel, arctic blues, metallic colors and more – but still feature the signature green ferrule we have come to embrace.

While there are many pencil options available, the choice is easy. Pick the only pencil with the green ferrule and you can rest assured that you are getting a quality Ticonderoga pencil!