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Thus, a #2 or HB pencil from one brand will not necessarily leave the same mark as a #2 or HB pencil from another brand. In reality however, there is no specific industry standard for the darkness of the mark to be left within the HB or any other hardness grade scale. Generally, an HB grade about the middle of the scale is considered to be equivalent to a #2 pencil using the U.S. For example, a 4B would be softer than a 2B and a 3H harder than an H. Historically, pencil makers also use combinations of letters - a pencil marked “HB” is hard and black a pencil marked “HH” is very hard, and a pencil marked “HHBBB” is very hard and really, really black! Although today most pencils using the HB system are designated by a number such as 2B, 4B or 2H to indicate the degree of hardness. The letter “F” is also used to indicate that the pencil sharpens to a fine point.
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Likewise, a pencil maker might use the letter “B” to designate the blackness of the pencil’s mark, indicating a softer lead. use the letter “H” to indicate a hard pencil. Most pencil manufacturers outside of the U.S. Softer pencils will dull faster than harder leads and require more frequent sharpening. As the pencil core becomes softer (through the use of lower proportions of clay) it leaves a darker mark as it deposits more graphite material on the paper. The hardness of the graphite core is often marked on the pencil - look for a number (such as “2” “2-1/2” or “3”) - and the higher the number, the harder the writing core and the lighter the mark left on the paper. How does it work, you ask? Let’s take a look.Ī pencil’s location on the HB graphite grading scale depends on the hardness of its graphite core. 2 pencil actually mean? And what do all of the “B’s,” “H’s” and “HB’s” being thrown around mean, for that matter? Well, it all has to do with the HB graphite grading scale used to classify the pencil’s graphite core. 2 pencil is the first thing that comes to mind.
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