Pencils and leads for writing and drawing

Pencils, mechanical pencils and matching leads

The pencil is the most versatile writing tool in your pencil case, for learning to write, notes, sketches and technical drawings. In this category you'll find wooden pencils, mechanical pencils, lead holders and refill leads from brands such as Faber-Castell, Staedtler and Pentel.

Understanding lead grades and lead sizes

The grade is printed on the pencil. H stands for hard: the line is light and fine, and the point stays sharp for a long time, which is good for technical drawings. B stands for black and means soft: the line is darker and can be smudged, which is good for sketches and shading. HB sits in the middle and is the standard school pencil. The higher the number, the stronger the effect, so a 6B is noticeably softer than a 2B.

With mechanical pencils, the lead size is what counts: 0.5 mm writes finely and suits small handwriting, while 0.7 mm is a bit more break-resistant and popular for everyday use. 2 mm leads are used in lead holders and are common for drawing and sketching.

• Wooden pencils in HB, 2B, 2H and other grades
• Mechanical pencils and lead holders
• Refill leads in 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm and 2 mm
• Ergonomic models for children's hands

Tip: Refill leads must match the lead size of your mechanical pencil exactly, and the size is usually printed on the barrel or clip. Leads also come in different grades.