The Faber-Castell Graphite pencil Castell 9000 is of high quality and it's finely graduated degrees of hardness have made it a firm favourite with artists and illustrators. Its lead is fully bonded with the wood surround and is therefore particularly break-resistant. The 9000 is available in 16 different degrees of hardness making it the ideal pencil for all technical and artistic applications. This particular pencil is of HB hardness. Faber-Castell is one of the world's largest and oldest manufacturers of pens pencils other office supplies and art supplies as well as high-end writing instruments and luxury leather goods. Ideally suited for artistic and high contrast work. Environmentally safe water-based coating. Extra break-resistant due to SV bonding.