We all grow up using the good old HB grade pencil but the Palomino HB is one of those rare pencils that reaches a level of perfection that most other pencils can only dream of. Both the Blue and Orange versions with erasers are two of my favorites pencils of all time. I like the versions with erasers because they are the ultimate workshop pencil and Faber-Castell Perfect Pencil replacement Pencil. I do tend to prefer the Orange version when working outside as the color is easier to spot when dropped or accidentally left when writing or drawing in nature, but the blue version is just one of the best looking blues that I have ever seen on a pencil. Since this HB grade is slightly softer and darker than most HB grade pencils when sharpened to a long point the first millimeter of the point is a bit more delicate than say a Prospector or Forest Choice pencil so some care must be taken when writing on roughened surfaces like unfinished wood for the first few lines.