Do #2 Mechanical Pencils Exist? Lead Grades Explained

Have you ever wondered what the numbers and letters at the ends of pencils are? Why exactly do you have to use a number 2 pencil on tests? Watch our video to find out and shop all of the items we mention here: to.jetpens.com....
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#2pencil #pencil #leadgrades #jetpens #woodenpencils #mechanicalpencils #tombow

[@JetPens]

It was National Pencil Day yesterday, so we're taking the opportunity to shed some light on pencil lead grades. Do you prefer wooden or mechanical pencils?

[@emely5405]

JetPens mechanicals! I have the zebradelguard! It works great

[@blobofstufff7824]

both.

[@illiengalene2285]

Depending on the type of art I do. Pilot color Eno for sketching for Watercolour paintings, 7B from Faber Castel to sketch figure drawing or quick impressions...

[@JK-xz1lt]

I like both wooden and mechanical. I mostly use a mechanical 7mm just so I don't have to sharpen one souch with my art lessons. I also like that I can teach my students how to have a light touch with one and how to use the softer B pencil grades to make much darker shading.

[@cgarcia7114]

Mechanical, wooden is a close second.

[@sarahayala6397]

with how scary everything is right now, these videos bring me a lot of peace. thanks guys

[@adri_flann]

@@sushrisangeetaswain1240 I love how when your comment is combined with your name it's an alliteration

[@JC98x_o]

I feel like I learned a little more about pencils here on this video than I do in art classes. In art class we learned which is hard to soft and 6h to 6b pencils and that’s it.

[@cazzabojangles]

Do American's only have 5 types of pencil grade then? Bro you're missing out

[@mothtransman]

Caz Henley we have other grades and stuff haha. common pencils are typically HB ones here and are called #2 though, they’re not usually referred to as HB and stuff outside of art. although i have never once heard of #1 and stuff. americas wild

[@trackmaniaIIDX]

no

[@seraphywang4638]

I went to art class when I was 5 so I thought everywhere was just number and letter system. Turns out, unless you`re an artist, no knows what 4H or HB are

[@lepidoptery]

people without a particular interest in pencils don't need things beyond the standard. people with an interest have stationary/art supply stores.

[@tmwaster8044]

@@mothtransman oh I never knew that the #2 meant something. I always thought it was the pencil you used the second most. I'm dumb😑😐😶😹😹 thanks for explaining it❤️

[@elaineharyono3675]

When I had exams with Optical Answer Sheets (OAS) or Scantrons, I was always told to use a 2B pencil, so that was what I grew up using the most and is the grade I generally prefer now. I use it for pretty much everything, from writing to sketching/drawing, and I find HB to be a little too hard for my liking

[@carmensavu5122]

I always use 2B. I prefer a darker line and a softer feel when I write. HB is too hard and sometimes scratchy. I took this important English standardized tests and they gave us all the same HB pencil. It was so crappy I had to apply the heaviest pressure I was capable of to even get my writing to show at all. What the hell were they thinking?

[@dizzylbnt]

I'm extremely curious about lead holders now! I don't think I'd ever even heard of them before today. I'm off to the blog to learn more!

[@whothefoxcares]

graph-fight!

[@mimiko8577]

by far the most oriented, well made, simple, and very accurate pencil explanation video

[@Mochibear_]

This would have been so helpful in elementary school! They always used to ask us for number 2 pencils and at the store they would use the European grading system! My mom would always tell me to just get the HB, but thanks for explaining. I didn’t know that there were two ways to grade lead.

[@christoffer4862]

I had no idea pencils were graded and I thought some pens were just bad or broken... 🤔

[@fatkraken3140]

finally someone to pronounce Staedtler correctly

[@in_99]

I’ve used not #2 mechanical pencils on standardized tests so many times and it’s always been fine

[@DinnerForkTongue]

I've only ever used ink pens, blue or black.

[@xxAryAryxx]

I had no idea Americans had a different grading system for pencils/lead. HB lead for mechanical pencils is very common here in Europe so I was honestly a bit confused at this video title. Interesting!

[@astralityyy]

i always thought staedtler was pronounced stedt ( like debt ) ler. y’all opened my eyes

[@alaattindal]

I use Staedtler 2B pencil in daily life. It is very enjoyable to write with this pen.

[@clarapadilha9365]

I didn’t know the rest of the world most commonly used HB led. Here in Brazil we mostly use 2B

[@gulsaba9493]

Oh in the Uk we usually use Hb

[@jimmorgan6213]

I’ve been told by a couple of stationery reps that 0.9 mm mechanical pencils are more popular by far in the US than any other size these days, and I can’t understand why this has not resulted in the availability of 0.9 mm leads in grades softer than 2B. A softer lead is weaker than a harder for any given diameter, which makes softer lead much more practical in larger diameters, and a blacker line is more dramatic and legible (IMO) in larger diameters as well-so why aren’t lead manufacturers serving a significant market that surely must exist??

[@christodd4965]

Thanks for making this time just a little bit better for us!

[@eddyantoniogonzalez5222]

Hola!! Me gusta mucho su canal por aportar muchos conocimientos y la amplia variedad de accesorios que hay para nuestro trabajo, seria bueno que sus videos fueran subtitulados al español.. saludos!!!

[@epicfwend178]

God as an artist lead holders seem like a dream! Definitely considering buying one

[@aki9530]

Kokoro can use her black card and don't understand the meaning of the grades XD

[@epicfwend178]

@@aki9530 lolwut

[@nicky_stevenson]

Interesting video. Even though we have the letter and number system here in the UK, I never knew it went up to 12B! The problem with the darker shades is that they are almost impossible to rub out.

[@Solitaire001]

That's why HB/#2 is a good choice for writing. Dark enough for easy legibility, but can be completely erased. I used B2 for a time, and while I liked the darker line it wouldn't erase completely.

[@carmensavu5122]

@@Solitaire001 Get better erasers. The problem with HB is that it's too hard and not dark enough, so if I use enough pressure for legibility it will actually leave scratch imprints on the paper, and there is no eraser in the world that will get rid of that.

[@anony_mouse1]

Try the Kokuyo 2B Eraser.

[@Dude-yd2vz]

I love pencils, simple and genius human invention

[@snehageorge4853]

Thank you so much for this video!! It explains why the mechanical pencil I refilled does not write the same as it originally did! More importantly, how I can make sure it does, or even get the desired darkness I want as long as the lead size is the same 😄

[@Kumofan]

AFAIK, "lead" isn't a misnomer -- it comes from "blacklead," the original name for graphite.

[@alexiscolin5762]

I love this channel! Do colored pencils also follow this chart or do they have their own thing?

[@JetPens]

They have their own thing!

[@vio3366]

Sorry if this was already addressed in the video but I bought a HB mechanical pencil lead and I love it because it is almost as dark as a gel pen but it is very smudgy. What lead should I buy that is not too light but also doesn't smudge?

[@clarenxie5235]

It really depends on the brand. But try 2H if H is too dark, 2H is good, I like it.

[@andrewjune5051]

I have some Pentel lead that says 2P for film. Any ideas what hardness that is? I got it at an estate sale so it might very well be an old system?

[@tejaswiniojha6886]

What happened to JetDo's story? It was supposed to be continued.

[@bluehoodie0205]

I think most common Pencil leds are 2B and HB ✏️

[@Solitaire001]

I think that a factor is where you are shopping. HB and usually 2B pencil leads are easily available at most stores that sell mechanical pencils. For other grades you likely would have to go to an Art Supply Store or purchase them on-line. As an example, yesterday I went to an Art Supply Store to purchase some pencil leads other than HB. There I found F, B, and 2H (that I purchased) and other grades of pencil leads in stock. They also had colored pencil leads (like blue and yellow) in stock.

[@nadineF]

What the numbers stand for?

[@xinzin9438]

heya i prefer macanical and lead holders, but im a left hander and death grip and in need of a arodynamic grip + they smeer so much. tips pleas

[@mauriciolacruz]

Are Pentel Ain Stein HB Soft and HB Hard leads graded between HB/B and HB/H respectively? Or...?

[@hi-bs8xt]

F grade pencil leads are much more rare, but they still exist

[@jstonefire4750]

What pencils or leads erase the most cleanly?

[@christosmanatakis4607]

Can a 2B lead break easily ? I have had a 2B pencil (I didn't know the difference between 2B and HB then) and I used it for talking notes and the lead always broke. Did this happen because of the quality of the pencil or because a 2B pencil is not a good choice for note-talking?

[@JetPens]

Hi there! In our experience a 2B lead is not inherently prone to breaking. It might have been breaking often due to the quality of the pencil.

[@Solitaire001]

I recently moved from a 2B lead to an HB lead and I've found that it is less prone to breakage. A possible factor is I print individual letters so I often lift my pencil from the paper.

[@carmensavu5122]

Depends on the thickness of the lead and the quality of the pencil. I have used the same 2B leads in two different 0.7 mechanical pencils, and one breaks like crazy, the other doesn't. It's a good idea to invest in a good quality mechanical pencil.

[@krismccarthansonmccart9187]

What pencils for writing Gregg Shorthand?

[@ic4101]

Hi! I can't find a Japanese 0.9 mechanical pencil. Any suggestions? I live in America and it is very hard for me to find 2B leads in 0.7 or 0.9 do you sell them?

[@JetPens]

Here are 0.9 Japanese mechanical pencils: www.jetpens.com/Mechanical-Pencils/ct/45?&f=c92744a81c412db0cd5fbcfbc64dc408_eed2de822dfe7c3b5f601ac33b2ea5fa307360151b5f51c68e3b90cdd8f64281_7f532676bfed4494. And here are 2B leads in 0.7 or 0.9: www.jetpens.com/Pencil-Leads/ct/99?&f=55a3b4764d01e1b9_ee25adfd604d0956cd5fbcfbc64dc408_c92744a81c412db0cd5fbcfbc64dc408

[@ic4101]

@@JetPens thanks!!!

[@Avyanisgoat]

Thank you so much sir I love your content. Truly your fan

[@dotsdot5608]

Love hb and 2b. Sketch figure with hb. Shading with 2b

[@elenamiyamoto2275]

Thank you, this was helpful!

[@Mobiusium]

2B works better on Scantron

[@qquietskies]

hiiii, i have a question ! so i think there is a pentel ain stein hb soft and pentel ain stein hb hard, but what is the difference between the two? does one make darker lines or something like that ?

[@chanceraphael328]

I use B grade pencils more often than HB and H grade pencils.

[@ExtremelyDisapointed]

You have any vidoes comparisons for Colored Mechanical Pencils?

[@anony_mouse1]

They prefer to be called “Pencils of Color.”

[@klauserji]

Thanks for not making any april fools video

[@Sans-ih2el]

Where's my bois who use 10B for writing

[@sudhapuram1036]

What's the best type of modern Pen drawing and writing

[@mmarjisr]

yes Rotring pencils review

[@mmartinsrj]

Are there any color lead options?

[@JetPens]

Yes, we have a blog post about them here: www.jetpens.com/blog/the-best-colored-mechanical-pencil-leads/pt/833

[@sameeralazawee7524]

I like all , because all nice .

[@AzureSymbiote]

Thank you.

[@illiengalene2285]

What about wood free pencils? Any recommendations? And what about colour pencils without wood? Watercolour pencils without wood?

[@illiengalene2285]

@Zubeen Bhuiyan yeah, but they are rare around here.

[@carolmcln5028]

BUT in the U.S. HB lead refills have different numbers! How can they all be #2???????

[@Solitaire001]

Generally, in the U. S. we use the same grading system as the rest of the world (H9 to B9). The only place you now see a pencil using the U. S. scale is #2, and it also includes the international equivalent, HB. The only place I've seen the other U. S. grades (#4, #3, #2.5 and #1) is on KZbin channels like this one. As far as pencil leads for mechanical pencils, the only ones I've see that are commonly available are HB and B2. The others are available, you just have to go to a speciality or art store to purchase them. One limitation with pencil leads for mechanical pencils is that they won't have a wide a range of lead grades as with wooden pencils. I could be wrong, but I think the lightest one I've seen for a mechanical pencil is H4.

[@BalasubramaniamGD]

how do i order to receive in singpore ?

[@carzfanz010]

can you choose the best mechanical pencil in the world, only 1 pencil pls

[@clarenxie5235]

If I had to pick one, I would choose pentel E sharp, it's cheap but it's very good, also it maximizes lead usage up to 3.5mm, and the grip is comfortable, it has a big eraser on the back and refillable eraser. You don't have to worry about it much if you lose the pencil because it's cheap, just about 1 dollar. I've tried uni kuru toga, and some shaker mechanical pencils, metal pencil, rotring mechanical pencils, etc. But I really like pentel E sharp so much. The con of e sharp is not looking aesthetic and looks like just a regular cheap mechanical pencil.

[@ArtificialPerson]

Well, I feel like quite the scholar in this subject since they taught us all of this in 3rd grade in arts 😂😂😂😂

[@penelopefp]

Wow, that was some 3rd grade art class!

[@raydai9541]

How? I was in Art club in 4th grade, and dodn’t learn about lead grades!

[@sfdudeck4201]

Hmm. I took a scantron test with an 8B pencil because I was in a wrist brace and a normal pencil couldn't write dark enough. It didn't have a problem with the test, but I'll know in the future not to do that

[@Anastas1786]

I think the important thing for marking a computer-graded answer sheet in pencil is that your lead is dark and doesn't smudge (and risk "marking" another answer as it passes through the machine). #2/HB lead probably _is_ the best choice for this, but you might still be able to get away with 8B if you're careful.

[@Solitaire001]

@@Anastas1786 A factor in favor of #2/HB is that it can be completely erased if you want to change your answer. Darker leads might not erase as cleanly and might be misread by the Scanner.

[@roch3353]

thank u

[@prapanthebachelorette6803]

Question : What about EE?

[@calska140]

I wish lead holder leads went up to 6h. I prefer that for underdrawing.

[@Andrew-bs9xk]

How do mechanical pencils change the lead settings? Weird

[@Solitaire001]

You just empty the lead in the mechanical pencil, and then put in the lead you want. I replaced HB with 2B.

[@Andrew-bs9xk]

@@Solitaire001 wow thank you for responding so early!

[@iskandartaib]

What do people use in place of Rapidograph-type drafting pens these days?

[@JetPens]

Fineliners are a great alternative: www.jetpens.com/Fineliners/ct/3146

[@RAIJINMARU670]

lead holders are sooo expensive so ive never bought one even though i wish i could. also ive always wondered this but how do you sharpen the lead inside?

[@lepidoptery]

i think there's usually a sharpening feature enclosed on the cap, so you just pull it off the top and rotate the lead against the inside. EDIT: they specially point out this feature at 2:49 for a particular lead holder so i don't know if it's actually all that standard kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZrRq4mJq8qeaZY EDIT: I guess you can get a "lead pointer" separately for sharpening, just like you can get pencil sharpeners for regular pencils.

[@JetPens]

Some lead holders have a sharpener included in the cap, but there are also larger sharpeners made for lead holders.

[@peterr.905]

Hi, Extremely enlightening video, I didn't know about lead holders, thank you for posting this video. What wooden pencil sharpeners would you recommend? Maybe you could do a video.

[@JetPens]

We actually do have a pencil sharpener video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/raLcYpWCo7Gjg5I

[@young749Au]

Over the years I have been gravitating towards thinner lead with a darker color like 2B for my mechanical pencils. I am now at 0.5 mm, 2B lead. As the diameter gets smaller, the darker leads tend to break a lot. How the mechanical pencil holds the lead can contribute to whether it breaks or not. But also, the lead quality makes a big difference also. To reduce breakage of the thinner darker leads, I am going to back down in darkness from 2B to B. Also, I am being a lot more careful to make sure I use high quality lead that does not break so easily.

[@anony_mouse1]

Have you tried Ain Stein leads? They're the strongest I've found in the 2B to 4B range.

[@bigsinnamonroll2042]

Nice 😊

[@bobonacar6676]

I always curious what led sizes really mean

[@aki9530]

do you mean lead grade??

[@bobonacar6676]

@@aki9530 the like thickness and sizes of the led in the pencil

[@aki9530]

Usually lead size are 0.5, which is the usual for writing. 0.5 is pretty okay if you have an average-sized handwriting, so it's the middleground. I rarely seen any smaller tip size but I think there are smaller tip size like 0.4, just not alot of them. For bigger one, 2mm is usually not having those small thin lead (of course, 2mm Is kinda big lol), so people use lead holder. Lead holder is similar to wood pencils, but lead holder usually have a mechanism to put the lead back in so it won't break. Honestly that's what I see from the differences but I'm not sure if it was reallu the function of the varying lead sizes, and I'm sorry if the grammar is weird, it's not my native language (*^^*)

[@brd8764]

Good stationary for those who enjoy using good stuff. Materialism of different kind.

[@jessthehotmess5044]

next time a teacher tells me not to use a mechanical pencil on a scantron we throwin hands 😤

[@ivyz.1974]

Before I knew anything about lead grade, I mixed different leads together in the same bottle to save space 😨

[@cheshirecat9037]

The video was really helpful, but you forgot about woodless pencils...

[@KhaosOfficialYT]

I’m one of those who only ask for Pentel High Polymer lead

[@chuiyi7751]

2B is the best.

[@juancamole569]

guess im early pens are great much love from someones house

[@abigailgibbon]

Thanks for the info even tho I learned all this in school

[@skandhasuhasbadrinarayan9129]

Early Bois!! LOve Jetpens!!

[@gokublackgaming6624]

yes you haven't tested natraj $200000 pencil thankyou

[@Fenamer]

Hi

[@yakataz]

lead holders are superior

[@iskandartaib]

Interesting that they tell students to use a 2B pencil for exams here.

[@iskandartaib]

@@katelyn2190 Yeah, a #2 is equivalent to HB. The reason they say to use HB for exams is it erases a lot easier and cleaner.

[@carmensavu5122]

@@iskandartaib Unless the paper is scratched because of the pressure you needed to apply to get HB to show at all.

[@smartart_]

Nice

[@SuperBegh]

And then there is me, unless I use a staedtler 6B you will not be able to see what I wrote

[@carmensavu5122]

Hell, I apply quite a bit of pressure naturally when I write, and you still can't see what I write with a HB. Makes me wonder why anyone would want to write with anything harder than a 2B.

[@xLuiKangx007]

Cool

[@bobonacar6676]

good vid like vid

[@the.tommo_way]

Omg, he pronounced "steadler" right ❤

[@Karan-Aujla]

Shtaedler?

[@the.tommo_way]

@@Karan-Aujla yes ^^

[@user-md3is4dq2d]

Can't use a mechanical pencil with #2 lead though, anyone else upset about this? The pencils dull out and make marking difficult. Wouldn't mechanical pencils would be better, and students don't have to disrupt class by asking for another pencil or sharpening one.

[@eclipse_lachesism]

22 SECONDS AGO?!

[@heminadias5025]

I am the hundredth commenter

[@batmanfan20101]

👏👏

[@ashmintyrina]

0:49 america wants to stand out so bad

[@brd8764]

Pure breed. Fun filled pens. Just good feel. Not good stationary.

[@kamalahaasanravichandiran4497]

You always try to sell products in every video like. I will explain the grades of lead but you sell pentel and tombow products. So I am unsubscribing you

[@pengweng6662]

Kamalahaasan Ravichandiran ... the point of this channel is to sell their products??