EXTRA BREAK-resistant, easy to sharpen and erase, Environmentally-friendly water-based varnish, Available individually and in various assorted sets LEAD is fully bonded with the wood surround and is therefore particularly break-resistant. The Castell 9000 is available in 16 different degrees of hardness, making it the ideal pencil for all technical and artistic applications CASTELL 9000 - a genuinely classic pencil - was launched by Count Alexander von Faber-Castell in 1905. Its quality and finely graduated degrees of hardness have made it a firm favourite with artists and illustrators The high quality Castell 9000 artists' pencil is also available in a Jumbo option with an extra thick graphite lead. The Castell 9000 Jumbo is perfectly suited for quick sketches and drafts as well as shading extended areas and artistic work.