black warrior HB2 lead not dark anymore, what happened?

The basic components of a pencil are the lead (actually graphite), the wood & paint, eraser holder, and the eraser. People who took pride in their craft started pencil companies and created a reputation based on their choice of these components, and their execution of certain other quality characteristics like centering the lead so sharpening is symmetrical, etc. Unfortunately some of these companies have been sold to corporations who reduce the quality of I all but keep the price up. For a period they show much improved profits and often sell he purchased company for more than they paid based on this artificial profitability which eventually diminishes as users of the product catch on that there favorite product is no longer what it use to be. With pencils companies, like Papermate, so it seems, have done just that. The lead is poor quality and inconsistent, the wood is thinner and no longer good quality cedar, the brass holding he eraser is no longer brass, and the eraser is also of poorer quality. Since these are only pencils, the bean counters at corporate I guess think they can pull it off. For some of us who enjoy using a good pencil, we notice. At least there are forums such as this where we can voice our discontent.

Do these come pre sharpened ?

Sometimes they do and sometimes they don't, but don't let that stop you from buying a Paper Mate product. It's a good pedigree and even if you buy pre-sharpened pencils you'll have to keep on sharpening them as needed. Just get a good sharpener. Good luck!

I'm a beginning writer and are these worth trying for my new series

If you can, try to find some older USA made ones. The cedar wood was fantastic and the graphite was buttery smooth. I could write for an entire day with no problems. When they moved production to Mexico it just wasn't the same. Eventually you might want to try out Blackwing Pencils, but those are expensive.

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Paper Mate Mirado Black Warrior Pencils, Black, HB #2, 12 Count

Paper Mate Mirado Black Warrior Pencils, Black, HB #2, 12 Count

Product ID: 58209026

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Details

Brand
Paper Mate
Writing instrument form
Graphite
Colour
Black
Ink colour
Black
Age range (description)
Adult
Material
Lead Wood

🖤Matte black lacquer finish

🪵Pressure-bonded California cedar wood

✏️12-pack premium #2 HB pencils

Description

🖤 Elevate your writing game with the Black Warrior — where style meets performance.

TEST READY BOLDNESS - #2 medium soft lead stands out on standardized tests and professional documents alike.
SMUDGE FREE CONFIDENCE - Soft, premium eraser guarantees clean corrections without the mess.
DURABILITY MEETS ELEGANCE - Pressure-bonded cedar wood barrel ensures long-lasting strength with a sleek matte black look.
ECO CONSCIOUS CRAFTSMANSHIP - 100% recycled content for the mindful professional who values sustainability.
UNMATCHED WRITING PRECISION - Ultra-smooth core sharpens to a fine, exact point for flawless notes and tests.

The Paper Mate Mirado Black Warrior Pencils come in a 12-pack of #2 HB lead pencils featuring a pressure-bonded California cedar wood barrel for superior durability and easy sharpening. Their ultra-smooth core sharpens to a fine point, delivering bold, smudge-resistant writing. Finished with a sophisticated matte black lacquer, these pencils combine professional style with eco-friendly materials, perfect for standardized tests and everyday office use.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Paper Mate
Brand	Paper Mate
Model Number	2254
Product Dimensions	4.83 x 1.78 x 19.3 cm; 56.7 g
Colour	Black
Grip Type	Smooth
Pencil Lead Degree (Hardness)	HB
Material Type	Lead, Wood
Total Recycled Content	100
Number of Items	1
Size	12 count (Pack of 1)
Point Type	Fine
Line Size	0.7mm
Ink Colour	Black
Manufacturer Part Number	2254
Item Weight	56.6 g

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