Staedtler Noris 120-2BK10D pencil, HB2, 10 pieces on blister card

Product Information

As a technique for drawing, the closest predecessor to the pencil was silverpoint or leadpoint until in 1565 (some sources say as early as 1500), a large deposit of graphite was discovered on the approach to Grey Knotts from the hamlet of Seathwaite in Borrowdale parish, Cumbria, England. Vincent van Gogh used only Faber pencils as they were "superior to Carpenters pencils, a capital black and most agreeable". Graphite pencils are made of a mixture of clay and graphite and their darkness varies from light grey to black: the more clay the harder the pencil.

The Mechanical Pencil Equivalent of a No. 2 Pencil | JetPens The Mechanical Pencil Equivalent of a No. 2 Pencil | JetPens

So, HB would be used by a pencil maker to indicate that a pencil is softer than an H pencil while at the same time lighter than a B pencil. They create a nice, firm mark that is easy to read, but they are not so soft that they will snap and smudge, nor so hard that they are brittle or difficult to make out on the paper.This is why STAEDTLER is certified for the production and sale of wood-cased pencils in accordance with current FSC and PEFC standards (chain of custody/CoC certification).

HB Graphite Grading Scale — Pencil Fight

Pencils create marks by physical abrasion, leaving a trail of solid core material that adheres to a sheet of paper or other surface.

We also appreciate that this pencil is manufactured in a single facility, whereas others (like our budget pick, which is primarily made in either China or Mexico) can have slight differences in construction or materials depending on where they’re made. Charles Fraser-Smith During World War II, Fraser-Smith worked for the Ministry of Supply, fabricating equipment nicknamed "Q-devices" (after Q-ships) for SOE agents operating in occupied Europe. However, for drawing or situations when you want strong, dark, dramatic lines, soft will usually be the better option. Going by an understanding of the grading system, we can say that an HB pencil is a graphite pencil that is softer than an H pencil but softer than a B pencil. Hard lead is known for being smudge-resistant and giving clean lines, which makes it a great choice for outlines or technical drawings.