Top 5 Graphite Pencils

Another Top 5 selection for you guys, but I have to remind you, this is only my Top 5 Graphite Pencils, I am not suggesting that these are the best graphite pencils in the world, simply that of all the graphite pencils I have tested, demonstrated and reviewed, these are my top 5 graphite pencil.

I would however love to hear from you guys about your favourite graphite pencils, if you disagree with the order of the top 5 graphite pencils, where would you re-arrange them or if I have not mentioned a graphite pencil you think would be in your top 5 I would absolutely love to hear your suggestions.

For this Top 5 I will work my way from number 5 to number 1, with number 1 being the best of the group. I have to say that the pencils not in the top spot are not bad pencils, it is simply that the number one pencil in this selection is a fantastic pencil, they are all amazing pencils.

I have provided a swatch comparison of all 5 graphite ranges at the end of this article, but try not to spoil the surprise for yourself, discovering the number one pencil by jumping forward to the end. All good things come to those who do what the Irishman says.

Number 5 - Derwent Graphite

The Derwent Graphite Pencils are a pretty good graphite pencil in themselves, my biggest issue with the Derwent Graphite range is the from 2H through to the higher H grades. No matter which graphite set you try, the high H grades, H6 and above, tend to display gritty texture when laying them down, however in the Derwent Graphite range, this seems to start as low down as H or 2H.

The B grades are much much smoother, however, in comparison to all the other graphite sets in this list, the B grades just don’t appear to have that deep, rich, dark, tonal value. For some graphite artists they are not always looking for super dark B grades as they normally substitute this tonal value for charcoal or some carbon based pencil, nevertheless this is the reason the Derwent Graphite Pencil is at number 5.

What I do absolutely love about the Derwent Graphite range is how Derwent have divided their sets up. The largest set is a 24 set ranging from 9B to 9H, they have also added a 12 set providing all the darks 9B to H, a 12 set with all the light values B to 9H and then they have also provided a mid range set of 12 ranging 6B to 4H. I personally think the 6B to 4H set is all the grades any graphite artist would ever need, this selection is perfect for not only beginner graphite artists but experts as well.

Number 4 - Faber Castell 9000 Graphite Range

I know this selection at number 4, quite low on the scale will surprise a lot of you, but I do have my reasons. Faber Castell have a wonderful range of graphite, charcoal and pastel sets; sets that mix and match mediums from the same family area, however, when it comes to just the Faber Castell 9000 Graphite Range, the sets are just not there.

I could have swore that when I first started out drawing about nine or ten years ago, there used to be a 24 set of Faber Castell 9000 Graphite Pencils, however I am unable to find this set size for love nor money. There are a couple of 12 sets, one 12 set providing 8B to 2H grades and the other 12 set is 5B to 5H. Again, I always thought that Faber Castell had more graphite 9000 sets but these were all I could find.

You can of course purchase the Faber Castell 9000 Graphite Pencil in open stock format but even open stock the 9000 range is only available 8B to 6H. I think due to the fact Faber Castell have added the Pitt Graphite range to cover their dark values along with their aquarelle and jumbo graphite range, not to mention their arrangement of large graphite sticks, they don’t see the need for their 9000 range to exceed 8B to 6H.

As you will be able to see from the swatch of all 5 graphite pencils, I chose a selection of graphite grades to help compare each brand, H, B, HB, 2B, 2H, 4H and 4B, hopefully this image will help portray that the Faber Castell 9000 graphite range has a nice smooth lay down. It is only purely the fact that the next three graphite pencils are so good that the Faber Castell 9000 Graphite Range has been knocked down to number 4.

Number 3 - Caran d’Ache Grafwood Graphite Pencils

This select will also surprise a few of you, up until a while ago the Caran d’Ache Grafwood was my favourite graphite pencil and some of the artwork I have completed with the Grafwood has been my absolute favourite, alas the Caran d’Ache Grafwood has been moved to Number 3 in the Top 5 Graphite Pencils thriller.

Caran d’Ache have developed an absolutely fantastic system for helping the artist to select between the graphite grades. As with all graphite pencils they have the graphite grade stamped on the end of the barrel, however Caran d’Ache have taken this a bit further in so much as the lacquer colour on each barrel is colored to represent the tonal value of graphite.

As with the Faber Castell 9000 range, the set sizes of the Caran d’Ache Grafwood are a bit odd but Caran d’Ache also has a lot of graphite, charcoal and water soluble graphite mediums in various set combinations. The best value Caran d’Ache Grafwood Graphite set is the 15 set I have displayed here, this set ranges from 9B to 4H.

There is also a set of 6 and in this smaller set the grades included are 2H, HB, 3B, 5B, 7B and 9B which all in all is a good combination for any graphite artist to have. I personally feel with regards to the H grades, anything higher that 4H or 6H is pointless.

Number 2 - Staedtler Mars Lumograph Graphite Pencils.

I am sure for many of you, the Staedtler Mars Lumograph will perhaps be your favourite graphite pencil, Staedtler has been a favourite for so many graphite artists and with good reason. Although I have not included the Staedtler Mars Lumograph Black in this list, since Staedtler has included this carbon graphite mix pencil to the range, both provided every tonal value known to humanity.

Staedtler have a fantastic 24 set available in the Mars Lumograph range, providing a fantastic tonal value range from 12B to 10H. I am not quite sure how Staedtler have pulled it off, but as far as the 9H grade, even this very light shade provides a smooth lay down, something many of the other brands are unable to achieve much lower dow the scale. I feel the grip and scratchiness experienced in certain graphite H grades is simply due to the graphite mines being used by each company.

One of my most favourite graphite drawings was done with the Staedtler Mars Lumograph and that was the Ballet Dancer, this piece was done to help demonstrate the Staedtler Mars Lumograph pencil in a review and I was thrilled with the final result.

As well as the 24 set, Staedtler provide an additional two 12 sets, 6B to 4H and 8B to 2H, they have also included a much smaller set of 6 pencils comprising of 8B, 7B, 6B, 4B, 2B and HB, quite a dark tonal set, yet a desirable set range nonetheless.

Number 1 - Mitsubishi Hi-Uni Graphite Pencils

Coming in at number 1 is the Mitsubishi Hi-Uni Graphite Pencils, I reviewed this set not that long ago and just loved them. Before we get into all the positives about the Hi-Uni graphite pencils, there is one small negative and that is the set availability. The only set sizes I could find was the 22 set I have reviewed, that set itself is not the issue, it is the lack of smaller sets I have a small issue with. You can purchase sets of 12, but this is only 12 pencils of the same grade, so 12 HB pencils, 12 2B pencils etc.

The 22 set of Mitsubishi Hi-Uni Graphite Pencils that I have reviewed is a perfect selection of incredibly high quality graphite. The graphite grades in the 22 set are from 10B to 10H and as I have mentioned before I know a lot of people would say 10B to 10H is slightly overkill, to which I would agree when it comes to the H grades, but not the B grade for this particular graphite pencil.

What I really love about the Mitsubishi Hi-Uni Graphite pencils is just how dark their B grades exhibit. So many graphite pencils, in particular the B ranges, experience a metallic sheen when a certain light hits the work, especially layered areas, but this is not so much the case with the Hi-Uni pencils.

When I created the individual review of the Mitsubishi Hi-Uni Graphite pencils, I think the artwork created as way of demonstrating best shows the deep rich dark tonal values of the Hi-Uni B grades. You can also see from the artwork provided that there is a matt look and feel to the darkest areas of the artwork, something other graphite ranges could not accomplish.

Top 5 Graphite Pencils Conclusion

As you can see from the swatch above, I have revealed the full swatch and the comparison of all five graphite pencils. It’s not for me to tell you how to view this swatch and there for the tonal value difference between each brand, so you can be the judge and decide for yourself which set is preferable to your style.

As I mentioned at the start of the article, I would love to know if you agree with the order of the top 5 graphite pencils in this list and if not which order would you place them. Or if I have missed a pencil I would love to hear which graphite pencil is your favourite and hopefully I will get the chance to review them in the not too distant future.

Thank you so much for your continued support and all your wonderful comments, I can’t express my gratitude deeply enough. Don’t forget I have also provided a YouTube video showcasing the top 5 graphite pencils if you would like to watch and decide for yourself which pencil you like best.