Why the caprenters pencils flat and not round ones i’m sure has entered the minds of all people , they see them . The answer to this so simple and “common” question is very simple and maybe a funny one .
I’m sure that this question has passed the brains of all people who are walking the markets and see woodoworking tools , equipment and stuff and they feel “strange” in front of the carpenters pencils .
Why this thing is flat and not round as the other ordinary pencil we all use in our daily lives ?
Nothing or a few “things’ in our woodworking way of life and activity , exist by luck . Everything has a reason to be , as it is . The wooden field is a colossal area , which includes many sciences inside .
Geologists , chemists , weather experts , physicists , soil experts , microscopes , laboratories , material experts and so many other “guys” and “girls” , are involved to the wood identification .
Imagine working in a house roof , fixing something or whatever and you want to put your pencil somewhere , except your ear . The ear placing spot is an “ancient” one and very cool to put your pencil . All carpenters do that , and i like it very much .
So imagine being in a high roof and you try to let your pencil on the roof . The pencil will start rolling and fall down to the ground . It’s very easy to imagine the continue to this scene .
You saying some very bad talking , because if there is noone downstairs you must step down , to catch the pencil and continue measuring , et.c .
What is the difference between a Carpenter’s pencil and a regular pencil ?
The carpenters pencil is rectangular shape and flat , in order not to be able to roll from the surface you’ve put it so it cannot fall down or to a place you cannor reach and regain it back , while the regular round pencil it can roll to any direction and be lost very easily .
A flat -rectangular pencil is way more more stable for sure , so you can put it to may different surfaces , without the danger to seek it on the ground , holes , dirt , waters , snow maybe , grass , et.c .
Why are carpenter’s , so Thick ?
The carpenter’s pencil is used to mark in very tough , rough and difficult wooden surfaces so it should be way more thicker generally with a way more thicker and stronger marking point than the regural and more elegant ones , so it won’t brake easily and need less frequent sharpening .
Are carpenter’s pencils , Erasable ?
Yes , the carpenter’s pencil marks can be erased and there aren’t permanent( their marks last longer ) on the wooden surfaces , even if they’re more strong and thick than the regular ones .
What Kind of wood are pencils made out of ?
The woodworker’s pencils , should be from a good quality’s wood , because you need accuracy to mark your wood distances , for your woodworking plans .
The pencils , not only should be from a good wood’s quality , but you should have them very nice sharpened , and have a well pointed edge . Every single milimmeter counts in your measuring and marking and the pencil , is your “weapon” for this .
Usually the carpenters pencils are made from red ceadar trees , which you can find in big amounts in the US and in Kenya . You can find red cedar in more places than these , but in these territories the quality of the trees are very high .
In the California’s Sierra Nevada mountain you can find incense cedar , from which you can “drag” very elite wood pieces and create pencils of the highest standarts .
See some of the best pencils & lead holders purchases in HERE .
Keep woodworking my friends , supply the best pencils you can and it’s ok to put it i your ear , for easiness . The woodworker is an inventive human and a happy one , of course .
Keep woodworking and happiness will follow , for sure .