Pencil leads

Two things matter when choosing a lead: the diameter has to match the pencil and the grade has to suit how you write. Faber-Castell Super-Polymer leads come in 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9 mm, alongside 1.4 mm leads and TK 9071 2.0 mm leads in packs of 10. Grades run from H to 3B – HB suits everyday writing, the softer 2B gives a darker line. Lyra Dry leads and Attomex 0.7 mm HB leads in packs of 12 are also available.