What does the lead have to do with the pencil?!?
When I use up the lead which comes in the zebra package, I put in some other companies lead and you will always have a time where the lead cracks!
A pen is much different where as some are gel pens and some fine point and...
I am not saying Zebra pencils are any better. But try a Kuru Toga pencil 0.5 mm (only $5 on Amazon) it has an internal mechanism that rotates the lead every time you pick up the pencil from the paper. This keeps the tip always sharp and reduces lead breakage. For somebody who uses a pencil daily, I swear by this pencil. During normal use the lead doesnt break (which reduces the amount of lead you use), and you never have to worry about a blunt point.
All I am saying is, dont mock pencils until you actually use them and understand them. A quality pencil makes a huge difference.