STAEDTLER110-HBBK3D Tradition Graphite Pencil for Drawing & Sketching - HB (Pack of 3)

Amazing pencils. My wife has said my sketches have improved since I started using these pencils and I have to agree. I am a police sketch artist and since using these pencils crime in my area has dropped 30%.

As an artist, I use lots and lots of different kinds and grades of pencil, but my biggest love is the good old 2B pencil. Over the years I have used 1000s of 2B pencils because of its great versatility and for me, the Staedtler 2B pencil is the best on the art market. Highly recommended.

...and the answer is that 2B pencils are what you want if you are using pencils on sailing charts (or indeed even maps for land-lovers).Why? Because they create a good mark but do not break the paper and also allow for easy erasing to plot new points.Why do you need pencils and charts in these days of electronic navigation systems? Because they are not always reliable even at the best of times and you absolutely need a back if any system fails. Anyway, it's also more fun.These Staedtler 2Bs are absolutely fine and do the job perfectly both for this use and for general use as well, although for writing purposes only an HB is probably a better bet (as they're harder).

I'm a uni student and part of my course involves lots of A3 still life drawing. I get through pencils really fast and on a student budget - can't afford to keep buying expensive supplies. These pencils are honestly great and prove that you don't need to buy expensive equipment to make good art! I always come back to buy these and definitely recommend them. These ones in particular are quite dark and soft, so if you want pencils for more precise drawing I recommend the 2B pencils from this brand also

These are the best graphite pencils I've ever bought. I remember having these years ago and have had trouble finding them. They're very versatile. The 3B are soft enough to easily erase when doing puzzles, and give good shading for drawing or shorthand; but they're not too smudgy.Highly recommended.

Years ago, when there were dinosaurs, I used to use Staedtler pencils in art classes at school and they were great. I recently started using them again because I was tired of HB pencils. They write beautifully and are a joy to use. They even improve my writing. They are nice size to hold too.Sadly the leads tends to break whenever you sharpen them. I've gone through five so far and all break when you sharpen them. Hence 4 stars.

I keep a dozen of these in a jar for marking music. When rehearsing with my freinds, they get passed round. They can also be found scattered around the house and workshop as they are excellent for very many other puposes. They have to be replenished frequently, mostly by being worn out with use, but I have a suspicion some have been welcomed into my freinds' houses.4B (or 3B) is perfect, but HB or B is too hard for music.

Ok, so I made the terrible mistake of buying 10 pencils for £1 recently at a £1 shop. Never again.These Staedtler beauties are on the other side the quality spectrum. The lead doesn't break when you sharpen the pencil, the quality of the wood used is such that it sharpens smoothly and cleanly, and with a lovely cedar aroma! These are superb pencils. Thoroughly recommended. Other reviewers wax lyrical about these legendary beauties and I can see why. I'm a total convert. They have a slightly softer lead that writes/draws darker than an HB. I have to say I also like the Staedtler HBs. You can't go wrong. I would say it's worth buying a staedtler pencil sharpener too as the blade is very good and the sharpener has obviously been designed specifically for these pencils in terms of the angle of lead etc. German attention to detail - you have to applaud them.