Alvin Draf-Tec Retrac Mechanical Pencil .5mm UNIQUE RETRACTABLE POINT SYSTEM: Allows the point sleeve to retract in the body of the pencil to prevent damage to the point HB DEGREE LEAD: 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 pencils mark, indicating a softer lead. 4mm LONG STAINLESS STEEL LEAD SLEEVE: Supports the lead and provides drawing accuracy even with thick straightedges PLASTIC BARREL WITH RUBBERIZED NON-SLIP FINGER GRIP: Rest assured your finger will not slip with this finger grip .5mm LEAD: Becoming more popular for writing and drawing, and certainly leading the way for technical drawing