Expensive pencils are one of those things that totally worth it. I use Faber-Castell pencil, eraser and sharpener, and while they are maybe double or triple the price of a cheap one, they last way longer than that because they do their job.
I have sharpened a cheap pencil more than 3 cm at once because either the lead or the wood keep breaking.
I found a cheap plastic Faber-Castell sharpener in the drawer yesterday. No idea where it came from, but it was razor sharp and the perfect angle for my double-ended Mitsubishi 772 red/blue. I’ll definitely be ordering more of those, and will check out their other offerings too.
I have sharpened a cheap pencil more than 3 cm at once because either the lead or the wood keep breaking.