The Carpenter's Pencil

The Carpenter's Pencil

The Flat Carpenter Pencil is a longtime favorite of carpenters, roofers, woodworkers,

and other tradesmen in the construction industry.  

Graphite came into widespread use following the discovery of a large graphite deposit ....

in Borrowdale, England in 1564.

Graphite was ppreciated for leaving a darker mark than lead,

the mineral proved so soft and brittle that it required a holder.

So they were wrapped in string.

Later, the graphite was inserted into two wooden halves were carved with a groove running down them,

The graphite stick placed in one of the grooves,

and the two halves then glued together.
Pretty much how they do it to this day.

The carpenter’s pencil is flat and is often given out by lumber yards and building supply houses .....

as a way to service contractors and to market their business with logos printed on them.

The popularity of the carpenter’s pencil is due primarily to its shape and functionality.

There are several reasons for its flat shape:

1. One of the main reasons many contractors favor the flat pencil ...

is that it will not roll off of the work surface or materials being worked on.

2. Carpenter pencils are easier to grip than standard pencils, because they have a larger surface area.

3. The non-round core allows thick or thin lines to be drawn by rotating the pencil.

Thin lines are required for high precision markings and are easy to erase,

but thick markings are needed to mark on rougher surfaces. This does both.

4. Carpenter pencils are larger and more robust.

The lead is strong to withstand the stress of marking very coarse surfaces.

5. It’s also a great on-the-spot scribe, in small gap situations.

The measurements of the carpenter's pencil are consistent and deliberate,

the width is usually 19/32" (sometimes 1/2") across the flat side,

and the center point of the lead and where the edge of the lead falls in relation to the pencil edge ....

means you can use the flat side against another surface to scribe with a 1/16" offset.

[michaelmancini]

Here's one other use i've used my carpenters pencil for over the years, its
great gauge for marking the space from floor to bottom of door hinge to
create the perfect gap between door & floor

[kevinsmith]

My tool belt, tool boxes, passenger seat of the truck...there is always a carpenters pencil and a sharpie marker.

[dustbinbroom]

Rite in the rain makes a 1.3mm mechanical that's perfect for finish and fine work yet robust enough to stand up to heavier tasks.

[landscaperconnection]

Use it for spacing deck treads mainly.

[kendall]

I use 1.3mm mechanical pencils for most tasks. Thick enough not to break but still fine enough for accurate marks. Very rarely use a wood carpenters pencil anymore.

I ordered the first couple from japan years ago and have used them pretty well exclusively since. These days I use mostly paper mate 1.3mm kids pencils. They are cheap, larger diameter with triangular body and bright colors. So they are easy to find.

[randomvids]

I use carpenters to mark floors and stuff but prefer 0.7 standard bic mechanical pencils for trim work

[DoresoomReviews]

I usually use a 0.9 mm mechanical pencil, but keep a carpenter's pencil in my toolbag as a backup. I never thought about using the offset distance of the lead for marking straight lines - that's a great tip!

[andrewmcgillivray]

to be honest, i never really saw the carpenter pencil as a „designed“ tool. i admit that i was wrong. there is so much design in such a (seemingly) simple object. if you appreciate the sophistication and purpose-built design, you will find quite e few advantages over an office style pencil. in europe they‘re oval in cross section and the graphite is often round, which just makes it into a big fat pencil without the advantages of a rectangular graphite.

[tugnut]

I love this video. Absolutely awesome. I do not use a carpenters pencil in my shop because I don't have issues with them rolling around, but I think I am going to start using them just to see how I like it. Never knew about the functionality of these pencils. Cool video.

[spencespencer]

I use mostly carpenter i use finish pencil for fine finish work. I love using the carpenter pencil everyday. I used them when i was in school.

[asinger]

I us a metal drafting pencil for trim work and finished surfaces because it is very durable.. A no.2 with the scribe and a carpenter pencil for layouts. Finally Milwaukee inkzall for everything else that I don't want to wash away like tile, concrete, glass and metal

[Mike_west]

I'm a trim carpenter up in Canada and the popular thing that works very well is 0.9mm mechanical pencils the 0.9mm doesn't break as easy as 0.7mm or smaller

[andrewd]

I use a carpenters pencil, I bought the Pica dry 3030, and loved that so much I have the Pica Big dry 6060 coming in the mail tomorrow!

[peckelhaze]

I use a carpenters pencil most of the time. Ideal for when you hands are cold.

[thomasDLC]

Makes a great straight edge when you need one

[erajoj]

I use a kiridashi for high precision, sharpies on darker/fatter woods and carpenter pencils for everything else.

[dustinperry]

I use a carpenters pencil which I sharpen with my Stanley knife. It makes the pencil very accurate. Forever breaking round ones!

[michael.schuler]

For those who prefer a thick mechanical pencil for framing and marking rough materials, check out Fastcap's "Fatboy" pencil. It has a very large diameter round lead, very sturdy and easy to sharpen, too.

[Federer]

Rob I love your videos. I also like your intro. Nicely done! Keep the videos coming. Oh and don't forget, the pencils are also good for signing your checks for deposit! =)

[Haffi]

I use a mechanical sketchers pencil for presision work but a more robust and course mechanical pencil for rougher work similar to the Pica refillable pencil