When it comes to pencils, I like the Blackwing 602s. Their lines are dark, almost like a ball-point pen, and they flow over the paper like butter on a hot skillet.
https://blackwing602.com/about-us/

To sharpen pencils, I like the Kum sharpener. It has two steps: one sharpens the wood, the other the point.
https://palominobrands.com/product/palomino-kum-long-point-pencil-sharpener/