Design Graphite 1H Graphite Pencils

All of our pencils are double-glued: the core of the pencil cannot break, even if you drop it. If the tip breaks off after sharpening, it could be due to the pencil sharpener you are using. The importance of using the right pencil sharpener is often underestimated.
There are two different types of pencil sharpeners: one for graphite pencils and one for coloured pencils. The angle at which a graphite pencil is sharpened is different to that of a coloured pencil. This is because a graphite pencil is harder and you can therefore work with a longer tip.
If you sharpen a coloured pencil with a graphite pencil sharpener, the tip will be too long and will break when you apply pressure to it. We therefore recommend that you sharpen coloured pencils with a coloured pencil sharpener.

The Design pencil sharpener has two openings because you can use it for both graphite pencils (normal) and coloured pencils (colour). The angle at which a graphite pencil is sharpened is different to that of a coloured pencil, because a graphite pencil is harder and you can therefore work with a longer tip.
If you sharpen a coloured pencil with a graphite pencil sharpener, the tip will be too long and will break when you apply pressure to it. We therefore recommend that you sharpen coloured pencils with a coloured pencil sharpener. (see YouTube video)

Pencils consist of a clay and graphite core in a wooden casing. They therefore no longer contain any lead, as they did in the past. At that time, lead pencils were cheaper than the silver pencils people used to draw or write. The mixture of clay and graphite in the pencil is baked in an oven. The ratio of clay to graphite determines the hardness: the more clay, the harder the pencil. Hard pencils have the letter H and, depending on the hardness, a number running from H (or 1H), 2H, 3H up to and including 9H,; the hardest pencil.
For designers, architects and technical draftsmen, these pencils are suitable for drawing perspective lines, for example, or making precise construction drawings. However, you can also draw expressively with hard pencils. You do this by cross-hatching, creating darker and lighter areas.

Soft pencils have the letter B and are more versatile in applying texture and tone than hard pencils. They range from B (or 1B), 2B, 3B to 9B;, the softest pencil. HB is a mixture of hard and soft and is often used in schools.
For artists, the soft pencils are excellent for adding depth with texture, tone, shading or just a simple line. The very soft pencils can be used for larger areas.

Of course, just like other pencils, carpenter's pencils can also have text and/or logo printed on them, for example. Please contact us for more information.