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

It’s the hardness of the graphite core. A number 3 pencil will have a much harder graphite core.

https://pencils.com/pages/no-2-pencil

>pencil’s location on the HB graphite grading scale depends on the hardness of its graphite core. The hardness of the graphite core is often marked on the pencil — look for a number (such as “2” “2-1/2” or “3”) — and the higher the number, the harder the writing core and the lighter the mark left on the paper. As the pencil core becomes softer (through the use of lower proportions of clay) it leaves a darker mark as it deposits more graphite material on the paper. Softer pencils will dull faster than harder leads and require more frequent sharpening.

Hope this answers your question