Topics > Hobbies & Crafts
Sharp Pencils
AlanS:
I'm a big pencil user in my shop. No fancy sharpener, though. I prefer to use my knife. I can hone the point down where it doesn't break as easy. I have to sharpen it more often, but that's the only trade off.
Glock32:
--- Quote from: Libertas on June 11, 2015, 08:28:53 AM ---
--- Quote from: Weisshaupt on June 11, 2015, 08:05:48 AM ---
--- Quote from: Libertas on June 11, 2015, 07:02:12 AM ---My daughter even said "I could sell really sharp pencils for $1 a pop..."
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Heh, bless her heart! I love hearing stuff like that!
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Don't worry, the schools will beat that sort of entrepreneurial spirit right out of her.
Libertas:
--- Quote from: Glock32 on June 14, 2015, 10:22:00 AM ---
--- Quote from: Libertas on June 11, 2015, 08:28:53 AM ---
--- Quote from: Weisshaupt on June 11, 2015, 08:05:48 AM ---
--- Quote from: Libertas on June 11, 2015, 07:02:12 AM ---My daughter even said "I could sell really sharp pencils for $1 a pop..."
--- End quote ---
Heh, bless her heart! I love hearing stuff like that!
--- End quote ---
--- End quote ---
Don't worry, the schools will beat that sort of entrepreneurial spirit right out of her.
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That's when Mom & Dad come in and tear an educator a new one. ;)
At least that's the way that stuff worked back in my day...
Syzygy:
--- Quote from: Weisshaupt on June 11, 2015, 08:05:48 AM ---
--- Quote from: Libertas on June 11, 2015, 07:02:12 AM ---
Who uses pencils anymore?
Beyond those rectangular ones at the local hardware store you only need when measuring wood to cut...
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Actually wood marking was the driver and the greatest part of my annoyance..I am not a fan of the rectangular kind you whittle to sharpen... When I am wood working I usually need a good point because I am trying to be accurate in cuts to 1/16 or better. The rectangular are awesome if you are framing and cutting 2x4s, but in my experience they need constant attention when doing finer work ( trim, joints and so on..) - Mechanicals don't last long in the shop, the rectangular you have to work to keep sharp. A #2 Dixon Ticonderoga (with playful green eraser holder - and the only pencil you will see in movies..) will last a good long time.. And this sharpener won't let you over sharpen.. It quits, so you stick it in, and in 10 seconds you have a sharp pencils that was shaved only enough to obtain a new perfect point.. (the artist types who pay $8-15 for particular fancy art pencils did comparisons and were pleased to find that this sharpener wasn't destroying their prize possessions faster than necessary)
It is also still the primary implement used for doing work in schools and I still have two school aged children who were actually quite excited and smiles about the new sharpeners..My daughter even said "I could sell really sharp pencils for $1 a pop..."
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Those broad, flat-sided pencils are called "carpenter's pencils". Believe it or not, they actually have a sharpener for those, now. It's really just a bigger, more mechanically intricate version of the old blade sharpener, but it works. Only thing is it rounds the sharpened bit.
I always wondered about the shape and "special" use of those things, but can't come up with anything other than they hold up better, being beefier and all, when marking rough lumber. Dad always carried one and used a knife to sharpen his. In fact, he was my "in house" pencil sharpener while I was in school. He always tried to sharpen one so slick it looked like it was done with a mechanical sharpener.
In marking any lumber or trim with a pencil, it's best to follow his "take the line, leave the line" rule when sawing:
If you're marking, or "scribing" as they called it, from a pattern (another piece of the desired length), take the line.
If you're using a rule to measure the cut length, leave the line.
My brother was gutting an old house several years ago and piling some of the old trim in my shed. I happened to see one of those old schoolhouse sharpeners on a piece and immediately confiscated it, knowing their like would never be seen again, unless it came from China (Pfffttttttttttt...).
Took some time and a lot of WD-40 to free it up but it was all worth it. Works like a charm. Now, I just need to find a hopper for it.
Yeah, I still use pencils but I always try to get the ones made with real cedar wood. The ones made from pressed plastic bits suck--but they do give you the option of sharpening with a lighter, in a knife-less situation. ::)
kermit:
The kids and wife use one hanging in the craft room. I'm quite sure it's older than I am. Looks like the one I used in Kindergarten. The oldest has a talent for drawing, so she has loads of pencils of different shades.
Out in my building, I just use a knife.
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