Pencils are a daily necessity for us. It is used for both writing or drawing. However, if you notice a little, you will see that different types of pencils are used for different types of work. There are several types of pencils, but people use some specific pencils worldwide, those are number 1, number 2, number 3, and number 4 pencils.
Do you have a complete idea about these pencils? If not, you have come to the right place. We will now try to discuss these pencils, the uses of them, and try to compare between them. So, let’s get started with it.
What is the Number 1 Pencil?
Pencil manufacturers make a variety of pencils, the No. 1 pencil being one of them. However, many do not understand what kind of pencil number 1 is. We’re trying to make it easy for them.
Simply put, the number 1 pencil is denoted as the B pencil. B has appeared from the French word BAS. The letter B indicates that LOW produces the quantity of binder, higher pigment/graphite deposit, and darker stroke. Use BS only when going for more dynamic or expressive strokes or when you need a darker area.
A number 1 pencil has a soft core that produces dark markings. Since soft lead pencils accumulate more graphite on paper, they need to be sharper than a hard pencil. “B” pencils feature soft graphite. (“B” means “black.”) The number found on the front of the letter indicates how soft or hard the pencil is. These pencils are ideal for drawing pictures.
What is the Number 2 Pencil?
When thinking of different pencils, at first, we think about the number 2 pencil. But do you know what the number 2 pencil means? Like the number 1 pencil, the number 2 pencil is expressed in a separate letter, and that is HB.
The position of a pencil is determined on an HB graphite grading scale based on the hardness of the graphite core. Often the hardness of the graphite core is marked with a pencil. If an example is shown it can be said, (“2” “2-1 / 2” or “3”) – and the higher the number, the more compact the text mark and the left mark on the paper.
As the pencil core softens (using a lower proportion of soil), it leaves a darker mark as it accumulates more graphite material on the paper. Tougher pencils dull faster than more challenging leads and require more frequent sharpening.
You will see other marks on pencils. Most pencil manufacturers outside the United States use the letter “H” to indicate a hard pencil. Similarly, a pencil maker can use the letter “B” to determine the blackness of a pencil mark; indicates a soft lead.
What is The Number 3 Pencil?
Number 3 pencil or H pencil is the same. The letter H comes from HAUT, which means high. There are high amounts of binders to create a more substantial lead with less graphite deposit. The larger the H number, the lighter the stroke. So, if you need a soft touch, it is suitable to use H pencils. It lasts longer for a long time.
The H scale is more powerful, so you get H, 2H, 3H, 4H…, etc. A few more coulins are added to harden the graphite, so when you make a mark with it, you put less graphite down.
Drawing pencils are graded with letters and numbers according to their hardness and relative darkness. They become softer and darker than the hardest and lightest 6B from H6. HB is very medium. These are often used in mechanical drafts and then in regular drawings.
Then an H pencil is relatively light and suitable for light sketching when you start drawing. The biggest problem people have is putting more pressure to make the lines darker.
What is the Number 4 Pencil:
Number 4 or 2H pencils are the same kind. 2H is almost like a basic writing pencil. The latter is often equivalent to HB, and traditionally pencil writing was tagged as 2H. Goals in writing are different from drawing and are dynamics that manage precision and low point wear.
When drawing, H leaves more solid and light marks and pal values in favor of H. The more challenging number is higher than graphite, and the marks will be lighter.
What is the Difference Between the Number 2 and 3 Pencil?
The number 3 pencil (usually rated as H or 2H) has a tougher lead that leaves light marks on the paper and is torn through the lightweight paper. At the other end of the spectrum is the number 1 pencil. Usually, it is rated as B or 2B, the lead is soft (so it wears out quickly), and leaves a mark on the paper.
In addition to the apparent problems already mentioned, the optical scanners used in the initial manic test had trouble reading the number 3 pencil’s light marks. In contrast, the tendency for excess dust and paper-made number pencil scents is undesirable.
A comparison table between number 2 and number 3 pencil (HB vs H)
What Makes Number 2 Pencil so Special:
When it comes to pencils, the number 2 is actually in the middle of the street. In the United States, we number our different grades of pencil, using numbers and letters from around the world to describe how hard the pencil lead is and how black it is. The American # 2 pencil is (roughly) related to an HB pencil on the rest of the world scale. Lead is neither too dark nor too light, nor is it too hard or too soft.
Pencils numbered more than 2 have a tougher lead and are often used by engineers, architects, and draftsmen because of their hardpoints. The underlying argument here is that the hardpoint can lead the user to control. You’ll find soft leads in pencils numbered below 2, which are popular with artists because they can help create a larger spectrum of tones than they can achieve by merely sticking to the number 2 pencil.
Final Thoughts:
Many of us use different types of pencils but those types of pencils are unknown to many of us. There are several types of pencils, although some common pencils are the most widely used. We have arranged our article with all those pencils and tried to highlight how they are and their uses. We have also tried to differentiate and compare the two pencils in our article. We hope you will benefit from our small efforts. Thank you all.