I use a regular Number 2 pencil for sketching, then my "artist drawing pencils" which are 5bs for the bolding.
My parents got me the pencils, i need to go to the store and pick some up myself
Damn US made me look up it's pencil grading standards.
a number 2 pencil is a HB or standard pencil used in most stuff such as quick sketching and shading.
I'd recommend a number 3 (H) or 4 (2H) pencil, (No higher than 4H though since it becomes to faint and difficult to draw.)
Using shading pencils for sketching always ends in disaster for me because the tips either snap due to sharp sketching or they become blunt after 30-60 minutes.