Castell 9000 - Pencils. The Castell 9000 is a true classic among pencils, launched in 1905 by Alexander Graf von Faber-Castell. Its quality and fine gradation of hardness levels have made it the preferred tool for artists and draftsmen. The lead is fully bonded to the wooden casing, making it particularly break-resistant. The Castell 9000 is available in 16 different hardness grades, making it an ideal pencil for all applications in both technical and artistic fields. Features: break-resistant due to special bonding, hexagonal shape. Use: for writing, drawing, and sketching. Environmentally friendly water-based lacquer.