The Mexico Ticonderogas also seem to have a few pencils with very heavy stamping in each dozen (where it is “traditionally” light, such as on the old US models). (Not so noticeable on the China models).

Speaking of which, perhaps the older Mexico Ticonderogas (with foil stamping imitating US Ticonderogas) are closer to the Mirados. (Maybe the newer ones with current stamping are, as well.)

With regards to lead… from what I can gather, the China Ticonderogas seem to be more of a soft 1/B — completely different from the Mirado and even any of the other Ticonderogas. (Not a good thing for purists, and maybe not so agreeable to some folks.) When comparing them to Mirados (Classic, Woodtones) or, well, lots of other HB office pencils, it’s very, very noticeable.

But, other times, when using the Mirados by themselves, they somehow seem to feel very nice, and quite agreeable (”smooth” in a different manner). I would actually prefer the Mirados to the [new] Ticonderogas slightly more, even with the discretionarily better China lead.

I am also imagining these investigative techniques being applied to other pencils.

I agree with your comment and Dixon is really missing out on a great marketing opportunity. They could certainly leverage that historical link like nobody else can. I’m sure there were many factors that influenced Dixon’s and Fila’s choice to break this connection and it would be interesting to see their supporting data. Do they think that the public is generally so out of tune with history that nobody would understand it or even care? I wonder how long it will be before the marketing teams decide to revert back to the “retro” schemes.

Fort Ticonderoga has played an important role in French, British, and especially American history. It played a landmark role in the American revolution. The Ticonderoga pencil has been named and marketed such that its essence and identity are inextricably bound with America and American history.

The problem with making this pencil elsewhere is that the pencil is now alienated from its intrinsic identity.

Dixon, dating from the 18th century, was itself a part of American history. Had it not been purchased by Fila, would overseas manufacturing have been chosen as an option? Was there a misunderstanding by the new owners of what Fort Ticonderoga represents?

At some point, when a civilization is too dependent on its neighbors or slavery, it will collapse and be taken over. We see this in the West’s dependence on oil. The high cost of energy due to the sinking dollar is really putting a damper on things here. However, in the Middle East, money is overflowing hand over fist.

A very careful balance must be struck between outsourcing and independence. The pencil may not be the defining benchmark of the strength of a civilization in our digital and internet world but it may be reflective of an overall trend.