Let me tell you about my experience, because I do this kind of work.

H means harder, B means softer. Harder (H) means less darkness of the line per amount of force applied to the pencil. Softer (B) means more darkness of the line per pressure exerted. The normal range of hardness for me is from 2B to 2H with HB being in the middle. The goal is to use the same amount of force for any darkness required. That method avoids creating permanent grooves in the paper caused by pressing too hard in an effort to get more darkness. 2H is good for lines you intend to erase because they are just, "layout" lines. Three or 4 H's would be acceptable if your eyes are good enough. HB or B is good for most of the useful drawing. 2B or 3B is good for the lines framing the entire drawing area or the information blocks where you write the scale of the drawing, the date, the Title, etc.

It's that simple for a person who can do work that is acceptable to the Code Enforcement Office.

 

So you are saying that a 2H pencil is harder than a 9H pencil. Really?

Can you show me where I said that? The harder/higher the number the more clay in the mix when the lead is made.
http://pencils.com/hb-graphite-grading-scale/

 

Can you show me where I said that? The harder/higher the number the more clay in the mix when the lead is made.
http://pencils.com/hb-graphite-grading-scale/

Sure. Let's review.

KL7AJ said:

Pencil lead is graphite mixed with a ceramic powder...the harder the lead (lower number) the more ceramic.

So he is stating that a lower number equates to a harder lead.

In response, I stated:

There's more to it than this (as far as my understanding goes). In the H series, a higher number means a harder lead while in the B series a higher number means a softer lead. Most writing pencils are H series while drawing pencils are more likely to be B series.

To which you responded:

No, KL7AJ has it correct. Although it is a form of clay added to the graphite, which you could I guess call it ceramic but they don't.

So here your are flatly stating that I have it wrong and that KL7AJ has it right when he stated, "the harder the lead (lower number) the more ceramic."

So I questioned this asking:

So you are saying that a 2H pencil is harder than a 9H pencil. Really?

Since you have stated that KL7AJ is correct when he stated that a lower number corresponds to a harder lead, and that I was wrong when I stated that the relationship depends on the series being used, that must mean that you are saying that a 2H pencil (lower number) is harder than a 9H pencil.

But NOW you are saying, "harder/higher the number..."

Please make up your mind.

And, if you are going to NOW maintain that a higher number means a harder pencil, then I will ask if you now are maintaining that a 9B pencil is harder than a 2B pencil.

My point, which you flatly rejected, is that the relationship between the number and the hardness depends on which scale you are using. In the H scales, a higher number is harder, while in the B scales, a higher number is softer.

 

I suspect most fuses glow brightly before burning out.

Or they explode in your face like mine did .

 

Some are better then the rest even brands make a difference.

There are two graphite grading scales used to measure the hardness of a pencil’s graphite core.

NUMERICAL GRAPHITE SCALE
The first graphite grading scale is a numeric scale. Using this scale, the hardness of the core is often marked on the pencil — look for a number (such as “2” “2-1/2” or “3”). The higher the number the harder the writing core and the lighter the mark left on the paper. As the pencil core becomes softer (through the use of lower proportions of clay) it leaves a darker mark as it deposits more graphite material on the paper. Softer pencils will dull faster than harder leads and require more frequent sharpening.

HB GRAPHITE SCALE
The second graphite grading scale is known as the HB scale. Most pencil manufacturers outside of the U.S. use this scale, using the letter “H” to indicate a hard pencil. Likewise, a pencil maker might use the letter “B” to designate the blackness of the pencil’s mark, indicating a softer lead. The letter “F” is also used to indicate that the pencil sharpens to a fine point.

Historically, pencil makers also use combinations of letters to tell us about the graphite — a pencil marked “HB” is hard and black, a pencil marked “HH” is very hard, and a pencil marked “BBB” is really, really black! Today, however, most pencils using the HB system are designated by a number such as 2B, 4B or 2H to indicate the degree of hardness. For example, a 4B would be softer than a 2B and a 3H harder than an H.

GRAPHITE SCALE COMPARISONS
Generally, an HB grade about the middle of the scale is considered to be equivalent to a #2 pencil using the U.S. numbering system.

In reality however, there is no specific industry standard for the darkness of the mark to be left within the HB or any other hardness grade scale. Thus, a #2 or HB pencil from one brand will not necessarily leave the same mark as a #2 or HB pencil from another brand. Most pencil manufacturers set their own internal standards for graphite hardness grades and overall quality of the core, some differences are regional. In Japan, consumers tend to prefer softer darker leads; so an HB lead produced in Japan is generally softer and darker than an HB from European producers.

Finding what works best for your own artistic and writing needs is generally a matter of personal preference and experimentation with different brands of pencils.
There are two graphite grading scales used to measure the hardness of a pencil’s graphite core.

 

@WBahn, I missed the part when he said, "the harder the lead (lower number)". Harder = more clay

 

I don't think anyone has it right and where the op lives I would bet they may have lots of clay in pencils. And a 2H is softer the 3 H and the B ones have more carbon in them better for drawing than the. H ones

 

I don't think anyone has it right and where the op lives I would bet they may have lots of clay in pencils. And a 2H is softer the 3 H and the B ones have more carbon in them better for drawing than the. H ones

So, what is it that is wrong about saying that 9H is harder than 2H but that 9B is softer than 2B?

 

I wasn't talking about your post Wbahn
It was about this

lower number)". Harder = more clay