Thanks for the info, Jimmie.
I went out at lunch and found the Koh-i-nor Progresso woodless set at Michael's. Since I never use a full range anyway, but rather use only even or odd numbered pencils to get a full nine values, the set make-up was perfect. I've already tried a couple quick sketches with them and they're working pretty well, so far. No hard spots yet ... kind of smooth and creamy ... I owe you!
Update 2/9 - Over the weekend I found the Faber woodless pencils, and since I dearly LOVE Faber's graphite, pastel, and charcoal pencils I bought a set of HB-3B-6B-9B. I am as impressed by these guys as I have been by everything else Faber makes. They're large and smooth and not a hard spot or gritty area in a whole weekend of breaking them in.
Minh "Faber Fan" Thong