Which pencil is the best

The hardest graphite available is 9H, while the softest is 9B. Most eraser-tipped pencils fall between 2H and 4B. There is no standardized graphite grading scale, so graphite hardness, smoothness and overall quality varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. In general, a 2 pencil is the same as an HB pencil. Learn more about the graphite grading scale. Hexagonal pencils are great for everyday use, while round and triangular pencils are good for learning.

In general, premium pencils take on a hexagonal shape. Pencil diameter varies slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer, and there are mini-jumbo and jumbo pencil profiles for those who prefer larger pencils.

Hexagonal pencils have a comfortable shape that makes them ideal for general use. Round pencils are easy to grip, making them a good choice for learning especially jumbo pencils. Triangular pencils have an ergonomic shape that provides some of the same benefits as hexagonal pencils, but they are fairly uncommon. Pencils come from a variety of places. The countries most widely recognized for quality pencil making are Japan, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Germany.

It is still possible to find a nice quality pencil made in the United States, though pencil manufacturing has dwindled in America. Japanese pencils are unlike any other in the world. Typically crafted by true artisans, they are known for their smooth graphite and the best finishing in the world. Pencils made in Japan include Blackwing, Mitsubishi and Tombow pencils. Switzerland has long been known for ingenuity and technology just look at their watches and clocks.

Back-to-school shopping means loading up your cart with notebooks , pens , colorful stationery doodads , and perhaps most importantly, pencils. But with dozens of options, navigating the pencil aisle to find the best ones for your needs can end up feeling like homework.

Young children just learning to write letters and words benefit from easy-to-use pencils made with their needs in mind. Triangular pencils also encourage a proper grip, and this one from German company Faber-Castell has raised nubs to prevent slipping. The hexagonal shape of these pencils is very accommodating to small hands.

Hicks says this versatile No. Weaver acknowledges that durability should be an important factor when buying pencils for this age group. For kids wearing out their pencils quickly, she likes these affordable pencils made from sustainable wood harvested through responsible environmental practices. For another sleek, all-black option, Weaver likes the Element 2 pencil from Danish brand Viking. Each box includes 12 pencils. Even though mechanical pencils are meant to be reused, they can often be treated as disposable.

Holding a hardwood pencil while writing for a long time can cramp your fingers, and if your hands get sweaty, the pencil might slip. This option from Faber-Castell has a unique design with textured grips that make the pencil more comfortable to hold, solving those common problems. Plus, these pencils are made from wood from reforested sources. Despite the identical name and emblem, the Mitsubishi Pencil company has no relation to the automaker other than their shared country of origin.

The red lacquer gives them an appealing look. These come with an eraser on the ends as well. The pencils are made from sustainably forested California incense cedar. They come in a set of four, and the package also includes a sharpener. The ends have black erasers. It has a full metal hexagonal body designed to balance its weight and a circular cross-hatch metal grip. The cushion point mechanism allows the sliding sleeve to give slightly under pressure, reducing the risk of the lead breaking while you're writing.

The pencil also has a clip and eraser under the cap. All in all, it's a brilliant mechanical pencil for designing layouts and typography. The Faber-Castell Grip mechanical pencil has won several design awards, and the accolades are well deserved. Drawing with this pencil feels extremely natural thanks to the perfectly sized triangular barrel. The raised rubber dots allow for a super firm but comfortable grip, which is ideal when it comes to making precise drawings. The pencil comes in several colours there's also silver and black as well as the blue pictured above.

It boasts a handy extra-long twisting eraser and a 0. Staedtler claims to have invented the colouring pencil, and this set shows that it certainly knows its stuff.

The Staedtler Karat Aquarell watercolour pencils come in sets of 12, 24, 36 and 48 the price above is for the pencil tin. They have high-pigment, break-resistant leads and a quality wooden shaft that sharpens well. Of course, you can use them dry, but you can add water for extra fun. Staedtler is always a reliable brand, and this set is a great option for beginners or more advanced artists alike.

We gave these five stars in our Staedtler watercolour pencil review. Boldly claiming to offer over years of fade resistance, they're made from the highest quality materials, including vibrant pigments and a unique binder medium.

A sound choice for any artist, these pencils are perfect for both drawing and painting techniques. They come in tins of 12, 24, 60, or a full range of These CarbOthello pastel pencils yes, that is how it's spelt offer the kind of quality we expect from Stabilo.

The piece set includes a decent spectrum of colours, and the pencils sharpen very well. They also offer a great range of colours for the price. Their dry stroke is perfect for blending, but the fun starts when you add water — and you can create some particularly interesting results by working in wet areas with dry pencils. This is a great mid-level set of pencils, but might be a little advanced for beginners. Read our full CarbOthello pastel pencils review for more details.

The Czech company's pencils are soft, silky smooth and easy to blend. With a 7.