ELIF: What’s the difference between a number 2 pencil and a pencil that isn’t labeled number 2? And if number 2s are almost always required why not just only make number 2 pencils?

Question

ELIF: What’s the difference between a number 2 pencil and a pencil that isn’t labeled number 2? And if number 2s are almost always required why not just only make number 2 pencils?

In: Engineering

Answer 1

There are many types of pencil. Where i come from we use the HB names but i imagine its very similar.

A HB pencil is medium hardness. Then it goes 1H, 2H, 3H with each one getting harder. Or 1B 2B 3B with each getting softer.

Harder pencils produce finer lines. Harder is better for fine light lines often used in construction lines.

Softer pencils produce thicker, darker lines used for shading.