Hi-Uni Pencil, HB, Single
Mitsubishi's Hi-Uni pencils are the flagship of a proud and historic manufacturer, and they are widely considered the best pencils available anywhere. The Hi-Uni design exceeds all reasonable expectations and handles every detail with elegance and seriousness of purpose. Products like this are the reason we sell art supplies, so please indulge us as we describe each aspect of this outstanding object.
We'll start with the graphite core. Mitsubishi's patented graphite production process is the heart and soul of every Hi-Uni. The carbon particle size is incredibly small and evenly distributed through the lead, creating Hi-Uni's signature smooth feel and generous laydown. No other graphite manufacturer comes close to Hi-Uni's combination of creamy texture, strength, and point retention. Even the harder grades are smooth, and the softer grades are unbelievably dark and rich.
Hi-Uni's core is encased in beautiful California incense cedar. The reddish color stands out immediately when you sharpen Hi-Uni. Then you'll notice the distinctive cedar fragrance, which, due to the high grade of wood used, is much more intense than other cedar pencils. Finally, if you're using a good sharpener, you'll see that the wood of a Hi-Uni neatly curls off the pencil in a long, continuous spiral. The lead is precisely centered in the wood case, so long-point sharpeners work perfectly with Hi-Uni and don't break the lead.
Although the unfinished wood is gorgeous in its own right, Mitsubishi doesn't stop there. Hi-Uni is dipped in an extra-thick layer of glossy, deep burgundy lacquer, which makes the pencil both attractive and super smooth to the touch. The company name and logo are stamped in gold on one side, and the pencil's grade is stamped on all six sides so you can always grab the right one at a glance. The back of the pencil is finished with a gold ring and a black and gold endcap.
This listing is for a single Hi-Uni, so you can try a variety of grades or mix and match them for drawing. We also stock Hi-Uni pencils in discounted sets of 12 with a free Mitsubishi Hi-Uni plastic case. Click the Graphite Grades tab to see all of our Hi-Uni grades and set options.
We strongly recommend Hi-Uni for writing (grades 2H through B), drawing (all grades), and loose sketching (grades 2B through 10B).
Made in Japan.
Product number(s)
Looking for a bit more information about shopping at St. Louis Art Supply? We're glad you asked!
-
Free U.S. Shipping Over $59
We're pleased to offer free shipping to any U.S. address (including Alaska and Hawai'i) for orders over $59.
-
Shipped Quickly from St. Louis
Our efficient, centrally-located warehouse in Missouri ships orders within one business day. Unlike a lot of online retailers, we operate our own warehouse — we wouldn't trust your art supplies to anyone else.
-
Real People, Here to Help
Any questions? Please reach out to our friendly customer service folks at hello@stlartsupply.com. We're art supply experts and we're happy to assist.
-
Real Pictures
Almost all of our images are shot right here in our St. Louis studio. We never generate content or images with AI.
-
Quality Pledge
We only stock materials we'd use in our own studios. Every product is tested in St. Louis and continually evaluated for quality and value. We're never afraid to discontinue an item that misses the mark.
-
Trusted Since 2015
We've been in business since 2015 and we've shipped hundreds of thousands of orders. We use bank-level encryption to protect your data and excellent packaging to protect your supplies.
-
Something else?
Click here for even more information about St. Louis Art Supply (if you aren't tired of hearing about us already!)
FAQs
Even more info about us here
How quickly will my order ship?
Our St. Louis warehouse team is pretty speedy! We generally ship orders within one business day of receiving them. You'll receive a tracking number by email as soon as your order's packed and out the door.
How long will it take to arrive?
We offer shipping estimates for each order at checkout. Please note that these are only our system's best guess — there are many factors that may affect shipping time.
Generally speaking, our parcels take about 2-3 business days to travel to most U.S. addresses once they are shipped.
In a hurry? We offer expedited shipping options, including overnight shipping, at checkout.
IMPORTANT NOTE: We never guarantee delivery dates because carrier delays are not within our control. We do not issue refunds due to delays in transit.
Do you accept returns?
Yes — we accept returns of unopened, undamaged items within 30 days of receipt.
If your return is because we made a mistake, we'll pay for the return shipping label. If you're returning an item because you changed your mind, return shipping is at your expense.
Read our full return policy here.
Is there a physical store?
Yes, there is! We'd love to see you at our St. Louis retail store. We're in the Grove neighborhood, near lots of fun places to eat, drink, and shop.
Do you offer wholesale or bulk discounts?
We do! Educational and institutional customers can email hello@stlartsupply.com to place a discounted bulk order. Send us a screenshot of your Blick or Amazon cart and we'll do our best to match it. You can always finish checking out with the big guys if we don't have a great bid for you.
If you're buying for a retail store, we'd love to meet you! Please head over to our wholesale division, Federal Color. You'll find our wholesale catalog and application there.