How am I supposed to draw with these things? The tip is

>>2962365
I want to know how you're meant to shade with them. I always end up breaking the lead when trying

>>2962374
Buy better quality graphite / change to a softer grade so you don't have to press down hard. I've never had 2mm break, even with cheap chinese lead. You're doing something wrong.

>>2962724
>too soft
>change to softer
Great advice

>>2962365
I use them only for rough sketch/gesture without sharping

>>2962727
Yes, you blithering waste of oxygen. Have you ever used graphite? Softer grades = darker = don't need to press as hard = less chance of breaking.

Get a pack of ten 2H leads and keep a knife beside you for sharpening.

>>2962727
Hard things snap, soft things bend.

File: 21517-1000-3ww-l.jpg (16KB, 600x116px) Image search: [Google]

16KB, 600x116px

>>2962365

If you drop it repeatedly you can fracture your graphite weakening it causing your breaking issues.
Purchase quality graphite, the sticks that come in the pencil are usually poor to mid quality.
Harder grade should never break or splinter whereas the softer grade and charcoal will fragment esp. when used vigorously (quick rough work) or dropped. You need to experiment with your pressure, softness/hardness of the graphite and the drawing surface.

Pic related is my go to sharpening method. It is simple to create a multifunctional tip with it and with a pack of sandpaper from the dollar store and you have refills for quite some time. I also keep a razor blade taped to the inside of my pads in case I'm stuck.
The leadholder is a superior drawing tool imo.

>>2962868

That's not hardness and softness, that's brittleness and suppleness. Dingus.