Pencils. Hard pencils (H) are used for precision drawing. The higher the number, the harder the lead. A normal pencil is HB. Soft leads (B) are ideal for writing and shading. B and 2B can also be used for writing. The higher the number, the softer and darker the lead. price bracket 2. cardboard box, 12 pencils of one degree, length: 170 mm, diam. 7.5 mm (length: 6.69 inch, diam. 0.3 inch), lacquered, 6 diff. leads available. lead: 004 3B | 005 4B | 101 H | 102 2H | 103 3H | 104 4H