via real_misterrios at https://old.reddit.com/r/pencils/comments/1wrvdtz/why_am_i_like_this/

Uni MH500 2mm Lead Holder - One Cautionary Note, One Defeated Expectation - Mechanical Pencil Review<br /> by Unnecessary Detail

HB Lead Grades Explained + How to Select Right Pencil for Writing & Art<br /> by [[Unnecessary Detail]] on YouTube<br /> accessed on 2026-09-20T23:58:33

HB is typically the mid-point for most manufacturers <br /> H (hardness) tends to go lighter and scratchier (less graphite, more clay)<br /> B (darkness) tends to go darker and smoother (more graphite, less clay)<br /> F is typically a grade (fine/firm) between H and HB

For general writing look in the range of H / F / HB / B / 2B

Charcoal pencils tend to be much darker that clay/graphite pencils.

In the United States, pencils are often graded from #1 to #5 with the #2 being equivalent to HB.

5 Stages of Lead Holder Usage & Collection - 2mm Mechanical Pencil Buying Guide<br /> by [[Unnecessary Detail]] on YouTube<br /> accessed on 2026-09-20T23:56:00

Most Pencils Are Terrible. Here Are 6 You Should Actually Buy<br /> by [[John Pattison]] on YouTube<br /> accessed on 2026-09-14T23:51:04

• Mitsubishi Hi-Uni HB
• Palomino Blackwing 602
• Palomino Blackwing Matte
• Viking Element 1
• Mitsubishi 9850 HB
• General's Cedar Pointe #2
• Tombow Mono 100 HB

The El Casco M-430<br /> by [[the Analog Savage]]<br /> accessed on 2026-08-11T10:03:22

Steinbeck’s 24 Pencil Writing Ritual<br /> by [[Wood & Graphite]] YouTube <br /> accessed on 2025-12-10T08:58:17

John Steinbeck pre-sharpened 24 of his Eberhardt Faber Blackwing 602 pencils in batches to have uninterrupted writing time. When they were all dull, he would batch sharpen them again.

Thomas Steinbeck on The Steinbeck Pencil Length<br /> by [[Blackwing]] on YouTube<br /> accessed on 2025-12-10T08:53:22

https://musgravepencil.com/products/hermitage-510-wood-cased-hexagonal-pencil-with-red-core-musgrave-pencil-company

https://www.makerscabinet.com/products/hovel

The Pencil Pages<br /> by [[Doug Martin]]<br /> accessed on 2025-11-09T09:27:11

Mongolized<br /> by [[WoodChuck]] for CalCedar accessed on 2025-11-09T09:24:05

Musgrave Pencil Company

Capped Mechanical Pencils: Who Did It Better, Pentel Sharp Kerry or Uni Kuru Toga Dive?<br /> by [[The Gentleman Stationer]]<br /> accessed on 2025-08-13T09:52:42

Don't be afraid to find the perfect pencil to bring your ideas to life with.

https://www.pencilrevolution.com/2020/02/musgrave-tennessee-red/

https://www.jetpens.com/blog/The-Best-Pencil-Cases/pt/450

Reasonable overview of the types and styles that JetPens carries. Some reasonable ideas to be used when comparing other products as well.