The perfect drawing pencil?

I was wondering if the perfect pencil (for me) existed.

Medium dark/soft like between an hb to 2b.

Low smudge, especially in a sketchbook.

Not shiny like graphite gets.

Easily erased.

Sharpens easy.

Affordable (long lasting for the price)

Available in Canada (bonus points for Canadian made)

Sustainably made is also something I'm keen on.  (Which also means not using fixitive)


Regular pencils and drawing pencils are so shiny, I find I avoid them.  Charcoal is lovely,  but the image smudges and blurs in a sketchbook.  Pastels the same.  Best I've found so far are the pitt matt graphite pencils, but these smudge a bit and blur in a sketchbook too.  These last a long time between sharpening,  errase nice, not shiny.  The biggest problem is the availability and price locally at $4 a pencil open stock, or a tin box set of several hardness for slightly less per pencil. But it means buying extra I hardly use.

So yep, I'm being fussy.

But I'm trying to trick myself into drawing more and since I'm very tactical about things, I wondered if there might be a perfect pencil out there.  Any suggestions?

Also, what's your perfect dream pencil for drawing?  

I have always used a Venus 5b.  I bought a box of then years ago. Now I am not really sure if they are still made.

I was given some Blackwing pencils and love them...using them mainly for writing though and a bit of doodling.
They are graphite  and one type they have says 'balanced'.
I do notice reflection so that alone might be a downside.
They erase well and the eraser is adjustable.

https://blackwing602.com/pages/blackwing-graphite-guide

I purchased a small pen/pencil that uses an aluminum alloy for the lead and was intrigued. Forever pencils might be something to look at. The lines don't bleed or smudge with water colors and I can shade unlike using ink. I purchased a full sized forever pencil and with a needle file created a chisel tip to give the versatility of a wide calligraphy nib. I initially started with an Olight branded one, small and fits in my EDC pocket or mini watercolor pouch. I haven't tried the colored pencil versions that are available.

John F Dean wrote:I have always used a Venus 5b.  I bought a box of then years ago. Now I am not really sure if they are still made.

I am amazed at what wonderful history pencil makers have.  That sounds like a really nifty brand with some great history.  

Judith Browning wrote:I was given some Blackwing pencils and love them...using them mainly for writing though and a bit of doodling.
They are graphite  and one type they have says 'balanced'.
I do notice reflection so that alone might be a downside.
They erase well and the eraser is adjustable.

https://blackwing602.com/pages/blackwing-graphite-guide

Blackwings are the most famous pencil in the world.  Some of the old ones (1980) will sell for $20usd a pencil.  The new ones are usually about $6cad per pencil, but you got to buy a case.

I love the idea of them with the adjustable and replaceable eraser.  

I have often dreamed of trying one of these.  But I also don't want to as i might fall in love and can't afford it.  

Robert Ray wrote:I purchased a small pen/pencil that uses an aluminum alloy for the lead and was intrigued. Forever pencils might be something to look at. The lines don't bleed or smudge with water colors and I can shade unlike using ink. I purchased a full sized forever pencil and with a needle file created a chisel tip to give the versatility of a wide calligraphy nib. I initially started with an Olight branded one, small and fits in my EDC pocket or mini watercolor pouch. I haven't tried the colored pencil versions that are available.

That's an idea.  I have one of those around here somewhere (I think we use it for shopping lists).  I didn't even think to try it for drawing.