Carpenter's pencil on the job

A carpenter pencil (carpentry pencil, carpenter's pencil) is a pencil that has a body with a rectangular or elliptical cross-section to allow it to be used as a quick reference to 1/4 and 1/2 inch measurements. The shape also helps prevent it from rolling away as a secondary function.[1] Carpenter pencils are easier to grip than standard pencils, because they have a larger surface area. The non-round core allows thick or thin lines to be drawn by holding the pencil slightly rotated. Thin lines are required for high precision markings and are easy to erase, but thick markings are needed to mark on rough surfaces.[2] The lead is strong to withstand the stress of marking on such surfaces.[2] The pencil is robust to survive in a construction environment when carried together with heavy tools. The core is typically stronger than in other pencils. Carpenter pencils are used by builders because they can mark on surfaces like concrete or stone. This shape and lead density aid in marking legible lines with a straight edge that are clear and easy to follow with a saw blade. Carpenter pencils are typically manually sharpened with a knife, although special sharpeners can be used.

The flat pencil is one of the oldest pencil types. The first versions were made by hollowing out sticks of juniper wood. A superior technique was discovered: two wooden halves were carved with a groove running down them, a plumbago stick placed in one of the grooves, and the two halves then glued together—essentially the same method in use to this day. Similar pencils (called 'jumbo pencils') are sometimes used by children. A pencil that is designed for a child rather than a carpenter would likely have a softer core, enabling the user to draw with less physical effort.

Artwork with carpenter's pencil (published 1921), including an illustration of how Old English letters are easier to draw with a notched carpenter pencil than with an ordinary pen[3]

Carpenter pencils are sometimes used by artists and designers to draw a thick line easily when needed.[4] Notching the middle of the lead with the corner of a file makes it possible to draw two parallel lines at once, a technique used by artists and calligraphers.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Pencil Revolution". Pencil Revolution. 1971-06-07. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  2. 1 2 Martin, Doug (2000). "Carpenter's Pencils". pencilpages.com. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  3. 1 2 "Lines And Letters Made With A Carpenter's Pencil". Chestofbooks.com. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  4. ↑ Ell, Frank B. (September 1, 1921). Lemos, Pedro J. (ed.). Pencil Painting: The Artistic Use of the Carpenter's Pencil. Worcester, Massachusetts: The Davis Press. p. 29. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
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