A pencil with a history, for what that’s worth.
| Brand | Paper Mate |
| Model | Mirado Classic (PAP2097) |
| Lead grade | #2 HB |
| Barrel shape | Hexagonal |
| Pack count | 12 |
| Pre-sharpened | No |
| Eraser included | Yes (non-replaceable) |
| Material | Wood-cased, multi-coat yellow finish |
| Best for | Everyday writing, note-taking, exams |
| Price | $6.99 a dozen — confirm current pricing at Amazon before buying |
| ASIN | B002766932 |
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Bottom line: The Mirado Classic is the yellow pencil that’s been sitting in office supply closets since before most of us were born, and this 12-pack is the no-drama way to buy it. The lead is bold enough for standardized tests and everyday writing, the wood sharpens cleanly, and the price barely registers. Current production is made in Mexico, not the US, the eraser can’t be replaced, and pencil enthusiasts describe the writing feel as competent but unremarkable. It suits a writer who wants a dependable, disposable pencil and doesn’t care about ceremony. It’s a weak fit for anyone chasing a distinctive line or a collectible object.
Scribbright rating: 3.5 out of 5
→ See all pens, pencils, and writing tools reviewed at Scribbright.
A pencil older than the company that makes it
The Mirado’s family tree runs back to the 1906 Eagle Mikado, got renamed to Mirado during World War II for reasons that had nothing to do with pencils, and has been passed around as a brand between Eagle, Sanford, and now Paper Mate ever since. The red-banded ferrule and yellow barrel have been consistent but everything else, including where it’s made, have changed a few times.
This review is for a 12-count box with classic yellow hexagonal barrel, #2 HB graphite, a fixed eraser at the end. Paper Mate’s own copy calls the lead dark and bold, appropriate for a school-and-office pencil. There are, believe it or not, pencil obsessives who make a big deal out of the darkness and hardness of a lead; as a student, I was mostly interested in whether a sharp pencil could stick in a drop ceiling if properly flung. Yes, I’m embarassed by my youthful waywardness. But there were times I could give Dave Letterman a run for his money at pencil-flingery.
Long-time users report the pencil holds a point pretty well and sharpens without excess breakage, which matters when you’re ten pages into a draft or furiously scribbling notes.
→ Get the Mirado Classic 12-pack on Amazon
Where “classic” doesn’t mean “great”
One longtime pencil collector (yes, they’re out there) on Amazon, comparing a current box against ones from 2004 and 2006, called the newer pencil only average and noted the older boxes wrote with richer, smoother graphite. That’s a common story with legacy office pencils: the name stays, the manufacturing moves, the feel drifts.
Current reviews also note the pencils are made in Mexico, not the US. If a “made in USA” pencil matters to you the way it does to some folks, you’ll want to hunt for something else.
None of this makes the Mirado Classic bad; it’s just what it’s always been, a solid, unglamorous pencil that does its job. Period.
How it compares to the M&G 2B pencils
The M&G 2B pencils I reviewed sit one step up the ladder. They’re a softer 2B grade against the Mirado Classic’s #2 HB, which means darker, heavier marks that read easily on the page, and a hexagonal barrel built to stay put on a slanted desk rather than the Mirado’s round-adjacent hex shape doing double duty as a fidget toy. The M&G pack also arrives pre-sharpened and includes a top-mounted eraser, small conveniences skipped by the Mirado.
The trade-off goes beyond price, though. HB holds a fine point longer than 2B and produces a lighter, more precise line, so if you’re filling out forms, writing small, or don’t want your notes smudging under a resting hand, the Mirado Classic’s firmer lead is the better choice. If you want a darker, more forgiving line for longhand drafting or annotation and don’t mind sharpening a little more carefully, the M&G is better, but you’ll spend $15-plus for the privilege.
Who it’s for
Writers and students who go through pencils constantly and don’t want to think about what they’re using. Anyone stocking a shared desk, a classroom, or a junk drawer that always seems to be empty at the wrong time. Readers who want a known quantity at a price that makes replacing a lost pencil a non-event.
It’s a poor fit for anyone chasing a dark, soft line, anyone who wants a replaceable eraser, and collectors who specifically want the US-made version.
Pros
- Extremely low cost per pencil
- Long-standing design that sharpens cleanly and holds a point
- Bold #2 lead suited to tests and daily writing
- Latex-free, smudge-resistant eraser
- Easy to buy in bulk without a second thought
Cons
- Current production made in Mexico, not the US
- Long-time users describe the writing feel as average, a step down from older boxes
- Fixed eraser with no replacement option
- Nothing distinctive next to darker or smoother alternatives
The verdict
The Mirado Classic isn’t trying to be a M&G or a Blackwing, so we can’t pass judgment on it for that. It’s the yellow pencil that’s been getting the job done since before “getting the job done” was marketing drivel, and this 12-pack is the easy way to keep one handy. If you want utility at a price you won’t worry about spending, this delivers. Will it stick in a ceiling tile? That’s on you.
→ Pick up the Mirado Classic 12-pack on Amazon
Michael Semer is a professional writer and editor with 40 years of experience in advertising, B2B content marketing, and digital publishing. He has strong words for pencils he loses within a week of buying them.
FAQ
Is the Paper Mate Mirado Classic a good pencil for writers?
It’s a solid, no-frills #2 HB pencil suited to everyday drafting, note-taking, and test-taking. It doesn’t offer the darkness or smoothness that pencil enthusiasts look for in a premium pencil.
How does the Mirado Classic compare to the M&G 2B pencils?
The Mirado Classic uses #2 HB lead, which holds a finer point and produces a lighter line. The M&G pencils use softer 2B lead for a darker, heavier mark, and add a pre-sharpened tip and a top-mounted eraser. Choose HB for precision, 2B for a bolder, more forgiving line.
Where are Mirado Classic pencils made?
Current listings indicate production in Mexico. Older boxes were made in the US, and some collectors report those older pencils wrote more smoothly.
How does the Mirado Classic compare to the Blackwing 602?
The 602 has a firmer, smoother core and a replaceable eraser, and it costs many times more per pencil. The Mirado Classic is a budget everyday pencil, not a competitor on feel or craftsmanship.
Can you replace the eraser on a Mirado Classic?
No. The eraser is fixed. Once it’s worn down, the pencil is done or you’re reaching for a separate eraser.
→ See all desk gear reviewed at Scribbright.