I’m wondering if folks would share what type of lead you like best. I am interested in brand and line within the brand rather than hardness. Do you find that there is a significant difference in lead from brand/line to brand/line? I’ve generally just used the run-of-the-mill Pentel standard lead. What’s the really good stuff out there? Thank ya! -Erskine
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I prefer Pilot Neox Graphite in 2B; in some pencils I use B.
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My choice for thin lead (0.5 mostly) is usually a super-soft grade, like 3B or 4B when available — we are talking about note-taking here; drafting activities usually demand at least an H or sometimes a 2H, plus an HB which is the “soft” option in that context.
Here are some of my preferred options for 4B lead, in no particular order:
— Pentel AIN Stein (C275-4B)
— Pilot NOX Graphite (HRF5G-20-4B)
— Mitsubishi UNI (white container, no code on the back)
— Mitsubishi Hi-UNI GRCT (HI-UNI05-300)
When it comes to HB lead, still for 0.5 MP’s, I have also tried:
— Staedtler Mars Micro Carbon (250 05-HB)
— Staedtler Mars Micro Carbon “HB-Soft” (250 05BB)
— Tombow MONO Graph (R5-MG HB 41)
— Zebra Delguard lead (cylindrical container, no code number)
Talking instead of larger lead cores (e.g. 2.00 mm), I typically try to use Staedtler’s Mars series (200-HB), because I find those to be the smoothest, but I found many alternatives (Caran d’Ache, Koh-I-Noor, Faber-Castell, and recently also some Mitsubishi UNI lead). Needless to say, instead of ranging between 5H/6H to 4B, larger cores may vary much more, from 10H to 6B/8B.
I happen to have much more lead than I will ever use in my lifetime, but having more options is almost preferrable in my view. 
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Seconding Pilot Neox in 2B! Thought recently I’ve been tempted to drop to B due to the 2B’s frequency to disappear rather quickly.
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