@petebrown I like Blakwings fine but not for the price (the Extra Hard Natural is my favorite). I really love Musgrave Tennesee Reds and Musgrave Harvest Pros, and Mitsubishe "Master Writing" . . . some others. I use pencil a lot.
@Medievalist Yeah, that's kinda my thing with the Blackwings… I mean, they're fine? But they don't seem that much better to me to justify the cost.
@petebrown That's my issue with Blackwings as well. I still have some Pearls in my collection, but I don't need any more. My current faves are the Faber Castell 4B's. I'm left handed with hand issues, and those just glide over the paper. Perfect for my needs.