Personally, of all that I have tried so far, I much prefer the combination of real wood and graphite. A few days ago I had the opportunity to use the American Faber Castell. The qualities of the Faber Castell seem to me to be so much like those of the Dixon Ticonderoga 2H, with which I am most familiar, as to make it difficult to tell them apart except by close inspection.

I urge you, though, to seek out some of the lesser known brands to compare. I have found that the Musgraves and Tennessees are every bit as well made and produce all that you would want or expect from the more famous ones.