General’s Semi-Hex Graphite Pencils, 497-12A, Assorted Degrees Set of 12 Pencils. General’s Semi-Hex pencils are smooth, top quality graphite, excellent for shading, sketching, and illustrating. The hex-shaped pencil is comfortable for drawing and does not roll off the table. Degrees Range from 6B (extra soft) to 4H (extra hard). Since 1889, General Pencil has been making pencils in the USA with the highest quality sustained yield cedar wood. These products are AP and PMA approved and tested and certified for safety and quality by the Art and Creative Materials Institute, conforming to ASTM-D4236.