QuickTip: Sharpening a Carpenter’s Pencil

Simple as it might sound, getting a carpenter’s pencil sharp and such that the “lead” (it’s graphite) is long enough to last is a minor art. And the challenge I’ve seen people struggle with over the years is that they don’t support the pencil enough while they are trying to cut it with a utility knife: the pencil moves, the knife doesn’t cut enough…vicious cycle.

 The key is to choke up on the pencil and the utility knife so you can control both as the knife blade removes wood and graphite. Here’s how I do it.

 Grab the pencil with my entire hand about one inch from the end.

1. Choke up on my utility knife as well so I can get my thumb right behind the blade.
2. Press the knife through the pencil wood with my thumb at an acute angle, rather than trying to force it with my hand or arm. Using your thumb as a pusher and keeping the pencil still is where the control comes from.
3. Work my way around the pencil, exposing the graphite.
4. Once I’ve got the graphite exposed, I whittle it to a point, not trying to get it too sharp.

 Carpenter’s pencils are rough-carpentry tools and not meant for fine marking and you can only get them so sharp before the graphite breaks. For precision marking on items like trim and wood working you need a “school boy” pencil.