This same site has recommendations on pencils. If you're looking for mechanical pencils I'm a huge fan of the Uni Kuru Toga Roulette, which came in second [1]. I like it because it rotates the lead as you write. Some people find the little bit of squish it has off-putting but I can't use other pencils without snapping the lead constantly.
I am a fan of the Musgrave Tennessee Reds. Dark graphic that doesn't require a lot of pressure, and a fine looking pencil. Be warned, however: Musgrave hexagonal pencils have a very crisp shape, and some people find them uncomfortable. The Musgrave 600 News is a unique pencil (and has a round barrel) that lays down a heavy, dark line.
I picked up a box of Blackwing 602s a few months ago (thanks to a gift card). They are more comfortable in the hand than the Musgraves, but I prefer the graphite in the Tennessee Reds. I may try one of the darker/softer Blackwing models in the future.
-Mitsubishi Hi-Unis in H/2H are wonderful for writing in my experience; lead is almost unbreakable, holds its point for a long time, very smooth to write with even for lefties like me.
