It's not just you, the Kuru Toga uses a special lead that is harder in the center than on the outside. You can get refills off amazon, just look for the Kuru Toga ones not the normal ones https://www.amazon.com/Uni-Kuru-Toga-Pencil-Lead/dp/B00DR6FATK/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2C1F8KTUAA9H6&dchild=1&keywords=uni+kuru+toga&qid=1617424363&sprefix=uni+kur%2Caps%2C222&sr=8-4