I bought Ticonderoga pencils which wouldn't sharpen correctly. They were off center in the middle so I returned them and bought the TRU RED pencils which were pre-sharpened and were so much better than the Ticonderoga. I'm so glad I bought the TRU RED pencils. I will never go back to Ticonderoga.
I cannot find any difference in quality between these and Dixon Ticonderoga pencils other than the color which supposedly indicates the Ticonderoga is considered a premium pencil. I tried them side by side even did a blind test. Couldn't tell them apart. Both write smooth and quiet. Both are the same shade of darkness. The erasers were perfectly fine on the ones I bought. I use manual pencil sharpeners and The Tru Red takes a fine point without breaking off in the sharpener. The lead is centered in the pencil. The Ticonderoga has a nice woody smell when sharpened which the Tru Red does not but the quality of the Tru Red wood seems perfectly adequate. I think it's a great quality pencil at a great price.