Which pencil to use?

[Bijou]

I love doing the puzzles in word puzzle books.  What drives me mad is that the paper is not exactly white and so the pencil is usually too light.  I asked at the art store and was told that the (ordinary writing pencils) number 2 was harder than the number 1.  I always use number 2 so I got number 1 and it's probably worse in terms of showing up.
Any ideas about what kind of lead works well?  Sometimes I go through a bunch of the same kind and some write darker than others, but usually not.  I'm on a pencil quest!  I've tried the mechanical pencils but same problem.
Suggestions and ideas are welcomed! 

[Gail]

I use a pen.

[MommyPenguin]

Ever used Ticonderoga pencils?  They're just #2s, but I find them to be the best in terms of how they write and how they sharpen.

ETA:  Look for the ones made in Mexico, not the ones made in China.  And they might work best when not completely sharp.

[demarco]

I have never found a pencil that will do the job adequately.  I use a pen. 

[cicero]

i prefer mechanical pencils to pens any day.i guess i got used to using a pencil on suduku's so it doesn't bother me that it's a little light.

[Bijou]

I use a pen.

Your confidence is overwhelming!  I would never use a pen.  I'm just not that spot on.  I wish I were.  I'm jealous!

[Bijou]

Ever used Ticonderoga pencils?  They're just #2s, but I find them to be the best in terms of how they write and how they sharpen.

ETA:  Look for the ones made in Mexico, not the ones made in China.  And they might work best when not completely sharp.

Those were the ones  got recently in 1B.  I don't know when they were made, though.  I find the duller they get the lighter they are.  I'm going to look for the ones made in Mexico.  Thanks.

[Bijou]

I have never found a pencil that will do the job adequately.  I use a pen.

Another confident person!  I guess I could do that if I got extra books!   
Maybe I should ask what kind of  pens.  I know there are erasable but they are only erasable for so long, I think and the erasers are kind of harsh. 
What I have done in the past on cryptograms is to put scotch tape (the un-shiny kind) over the puzzle so I'm not writing on the paper and erasing isn't such a problem.  I can wear holes in the paper!  Only ting.  I can make the pages curl but I didn't find that to be a problem.  Maybe I should try that with an erasable pen.

[Bijou]

i prefer mechanical pencils to pens any day.i guess i got used to using a pencil on suduku's so it doesn't bother me that it's a little light.

What size lead do you use?  I have sizes 5 and 7 (I think) and some mechanical pencils around here.  Maybe I should try those again.

[NyaChan]

Maybe copy it onto white paper first and then the pencil will show up better?

[rose red]

The Walmart website shows there are erasable pens.

[Jones]

I don't do crosswords, but I used to sketch; how about a charcoal pencil?

[SiotehCat]

I also use pen. It has to be blue and it has to be written in all caps.

I am not confident though. In fact, I am not even very good. Sometimes I just make sure that the answers around it are also right. When I know everything is right, I write it down.

[mbbored]

i prefer mechanical pencils to pens any day.i guess i got used to using a pencil on suduku's so it doesn't bother me that it's a little light.

What size lead do you use?  I have sizes 5 and 7 (I think) and some mechanical pencils around here.  Maybe I should try those again.

I like the 7, since it's a little thicker and more visible on paper.

[Julian]

I'm not familiar with the #1 and #2 pencil ratings, rather the HB system. 

H measures hardness, B measures blackness.

I prefer to use a 2B or 3B pencil, they're soft and black as a night on the dark side of the moon.  They do blunten quickly though.

Try a good stationery supply or art store.  They should have a good range and some to try.