@carstenfranke @blogdiva
Or Derwent (British), or Conte (French). those are the three good-but-not-ruinously-expensive brands here (which is the UK, availability in the US might vary).
@sheddi @carstenfranke @blogdiva seconding Derwent if they're available.

I went to the pencil museum over summer and my "ticket" was a Derwent HB. Genuinely the nicest standard pencil I've ever used. Also, the museum is far more interesting than it has any right to be.

@jetlagjen @carstenfranke @blogdiva
I've been to the Derwent museum too!

100% recommended if you're in the Lake District.