Pencils

Pencil grades indicate hardness and darkness. H grades (H, 2H, 4H) are harder and produce lighter, finer lines — ideal for technical drawing and drafting. B grades (B, 2B, 4B, 6B) are softer and produce darker, broader marks — preferred for sketching and shading. HB is the middle ground, suitable for everyday writing. The higher the number, the more extreme the characteristic.

Japanese pencils are renowned for their smooth, consistent graphite. Top picks for writing include the Mitsubishi Uni (Hi-Uni series), Tombow Mono, and Staedtler Mars Lumograph. For everyday use, the Mitsubishi 9800 and Tombow 8900 offer excellent quality at a reasonable price. These pencils feature smooth graphite that writes cleanly without excessive smearing.