Pencil Leads

Humans are using graphite for thousands of years. It has been a main source of creativity and bringing ideas and thoughts to life. And carrying the custom graphite is the core component of a modern-day pencil. The commonly known pencil lead is the misnomer, as it is a combination of graphite and clay.

Besides traditionally used pencils today, we can enjoy added comfort and benefits from mechanical pencils that come with a replaceable pencil lead. These leads are much thinner than the lead usually used in conventional pencils. However, despite being so thin, these pencils are incredibly resistant to break. However, just like regular pencils, the lead grade is of great importance in mechanical pencils. Moreover, the strength of lead also defines the strength, smudge resistance, smoothness, and pigmentation – hence the overall performance of the pencil.

All you need to know about choosing the right writing instrument

Pencil leads are housed in a variety of ways. For instance, a wooden pencil offers an extensive range of lead grades. Plus, the lead is thicker and allows you to appreciate the expression of each first grade fully. The more abundant lead allows you to appreciate the expressions of each lead grade. On the other hand, a mechanical pencil is convenient, clean with no-fuss tools, and ideal for writing. However, as most mechanical pencils have smaller tips, they are not ideally helpful in producing dynamic expressions of a wooden pencil. So, whatever you choose boils down to personal preferences and needs. But below, we have recommendations for all three categories.

The grading scales

There are two systems of grading pencil lead hardness, namely American and European. Both divide pencils based on the level of lead in the core. In simple words, the H grade pencils are extremely smudged resistant, giving cleaner lines and making them useful for outlines, light sketches, technical drawings and more. Whereas F and HB deliver a middle spectrum and are ideal for daily use and writing. The B grade lead is smooth and ideal for both drawing and writing. They smudge easily but are harder to erase, thus perfect for drawing and sketching.

About wooden pencil lead grades

Wooden pencils are conventional, and still, a large number of people prefer using them. The wooden lead grade or writing generally include F and HB grade. This is because of the high level of pigmentation and smoothness with considerably low-level smudging. Surrounding lead grades H & B are also suitable for writing. But it is based on how darker you want to write. Whereas for artworks, the artists need both hard and soft leads to achieve different effects and styles. And this is why they have all grades of lead in their collection.

About mechanical pencil lead grades

In mechanical pencils, we have limited lead grades. It is quite challenging to make soft leads in thin tip sizes, so avoid crumbling. While this cannot be a problem for writers, sketchers and artists may have difficulty finding a suitable lead grade per their needs. But artists can take advantage of these excellent tips for drawing details without any hassle of sharpening and maintaining the thickness of the line again and again. Artists can consider buying items Pentel Ain Stein, Uni Nano Dia, and the Pilot Neox.

Lead holders and lead grades

If you are an artist and looking to enjoy the convenience of mechanical pencils, the lead holders are a suitable compromise. The lead holders typically lead with a diameter of 2mm or more. With such a construction, they generally have a softer lead. But with lead holders, more of the lead can be exposed while in use hence are similar to wooden pencil in term of techniques that an artist need to employ. Here the Uni Mitsubishi lead holders are ideal for beginners. In contrast, the Pilot Croquis, Carbon Lead and Staedtler Silver Lead Holders are ideal for advanced sketchers and artists.