Pencil lead grades

Lead grade is an important consideration for both the artist and writer.

The first graphite grading scale is a numeric scale. The higher the number the harder the writing core and the lighter the mark left on the paper. As the pencil core becomes softer through the use of lower proportions of clay it leaves a darker mark as it deposits more graphite material on the paper. Softer pencils will dull faster than harder leads and require more frequent sharpening. The second graphite grading scale is known as the HB scale.

Pencil lead grades

You may have wondered what "HB" or "2B" means. The lettering, such as HB Hard Black , tells the user what type of lead is inside the mechanical pencil. Mechanical pencils often feature a dial that allows you to change what the indicator displays to keep track of what lead is in there. Below is a list of the most common lead grades and their equivalent in terms of the US pencil grading system. However, keep in mind that there are many more lead grades than the ones show in this table. This feature is essential for artists and others with a mountain of mechanical pencils that look identical. Let's say an artist enjoyed using a specific type of mechanical pencil, the Rotring, and had five silver versions with various harnesses inside. It'd be impossible to distinguish which kind of lead is in each one without some lead indicator. I admit that example is quite extreme, but it conveys the importance of lead hardness indicators. Even though most casual users of mechanical pencils stick with HB lead, the industry standard, the different degrees of hardness are beneficial since they can provide different properties, from a more rigid, lighter-tone line to a darker line with a deep shade. Hardness is a measurement of how much lead is put on the page. Harder leads put out less lead than softer leads with the same applied pressure.

Loose Leaf Paper. Left-handed pencil users can also take advantage of smudge-resistant H leads.

Our high-quality graphite pencils consist of a mixture of graphite and clay and are currently available in 19 degrees of hardness. The degree of graphite hardness is determined by the mix ratio of the graphite and clay, the greater the graphite the softer the lead and the more clay the harder the lead. With 19 degrees of hardness to choose from there is a graphite pencil for every type of artist. An artist with a heavy hand might prefer softer leads to balance their pressure whereas an artist with a lighter drawing hand may prefer relatively hard lead qualities. The rougher the paper, the more lead particles are worn off.

Sorry, the content of this store can't be seen by a younger audience. Come back when you're older. Search our store. Wishlist Cart 0. Popular Searches: colored pencils art markers. The grade of lead you choose can have a big impact on your drawing style and the effects you can achieve. What do the Labels Mean?

Pencil lead grades

The first graphite grading scale is a numeric scale. The higher the number the harder the writing core and the lighter the mark left on the paper. As the pencil core becomes softer through the use of lower proportions of clay it leaves a darker mark as it deposits more graphite material on the paper. Softer pencils will dull faster than harder leads and require more frequent sharpening.

Hollow knight hornet second fight

Wooden Pencils. Academic Planners. Pencil lead, a misnomer for the graphite-clay mixture at the core of most pencils , is the heart of drawing and writing instruments. Tomoe River. Those who are just starting out can choose a pencil line they enjoy and pick alternating lead grades to achieve similar effects without having to invest in a complete set. Guides: Fountain Pens. Hole Reinforcements. Lead holders allow for softer leads to be utilized, great for artists who want the convenience of mechanical pencils. Double-Sided Tapes. For example, a 4B would be softer than a 2B and a 3H harder than an H. Fountain Pen Friendly Paper. Click below to see all tip size and lead grade options for the three lead holder lines mentioned above. The higher the number before the H, the harder and lighter it will be. Characteristics of lead come from the material makeup of each grade.

Mechanical pencils have fewer lead grades to choose from than wooden pencils because they have thinner lead. This guide explains the difference between mechanical pencil lead and wooden pencil lead, how mechanical pencil lead is made, the mechanical pencil lead grade scale, the darkest mechanical pencil lead, and much more.

The Best Gel Pens. Stamp Organizers. Organization Tools. Shimmering Inks. Guides: Wooden Pencils. Click below to see all tip size and lead grade options for the three lead holder lines mentioned above. Fountain Pen Inks. Surrounding lead grades H, B are also suitable for writing depending on your preference for darkness. The vast majority of mechanical pencils and regular pencils, too! Zentangle Pens. Planner Accessories. The clicker has a different color for every lead grade, so finding the right lead holder is fast and easy. Ink Pads.