The Faber-Castell Graphite pencil 9000 HB 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. Headquartered in Stein Germany it operates 14 factories and 20 sales units throughout the globe. The Faber-Castell Group employs a staff of approximately 7000 and does business in more than 100 countries. The House of Faber-Castell is the family which founded and continues to exercise leadership within the corporation. Ideally suited for artistic and high contrast work. Environmentally safe water-based coating. Extra break-resistant due to SV bonding.