Woodworking is an art that requires precision and attention to detail. A good portion of the work involves taking measurements. For best results, you need a good-quality pencil specifically suited for woodworking, right?
Carpenter pencils are used for woodworking due to their designs that are ergonomically adapted to woodwork. They are much broader than regular pencils and rectangular-shaped for better grip and to keep them from rolling off the workspace. The graphite core is thicker to enhance legibility on wood.
The rest of this article will explain how carpenter pencils are adapted to woodworking and what to consider when selecting the ideal pencil for your workshop. We will also look into recommended pencil brands and conclude with valuable tips when using your woodworking pencil.
Why Regular Pencils Aren’t Suited for Woodwork
Regular pencils may be great for paperwork, but they are certainly not ideal for woodwork.
These pencils have a smaller cross-section, making them much harder to grip. This is especially true if your hands are larger than average. Additionally, the graphite in a regular pencil is thinner and easily breaks when used to mark wood. Since they are lighter and have a rounder shape, they easily roll off the workspace, which can be annoying.
Let’s see how carpenter’s pencils are designed to suit woodwork. I’ll cover this in-depth below.
How Carpenter Pencils Are Adapted for Woodwork
As the name suggests, carpenter pencils are designed for woodwork and are more manageable than regular pencils in many cases.
Here are some key elements that make them ideal for carpentry:
- Shape: They have a rectangular shape, which gives them stability even on uneven work surfaces, preventing them from rolling away. They are also easier to grip and handle.
- Cross-section: Their broader cross-section further enhances the grip and stability.
- Size: They are larger than regular pencils, measuring an average width of 0.5 inches (1.27 centimeters) with a thickness of 0.25 inches (0.635 centimeters). Their large size and sturdiness keep them from breaking when stored and carried in a toolbox with other tools.
- Graphite core: The graphite in carpenter pencils is thicker and more rigid, making them suitable for marking hard surfaces (such as wood) without breaking easily. The quality of graphite used also allows for darker and more prominent marks that are easily legible. The graphite is also flat and rectangular, providing straighter lines when marking wood.
There is also a variety of carpenter pencils called solid lead pencils, which are entirely made from graphite, unlike those with only a graphite core.
Are All Carpenter Pencils Made Equal? What To Consider Before Buying
Not all carpenter pencils are made equal, and you need to know how to select the perfect one from the list of options available. You may get different results from different brands due to the varying quality of materials used.
So, what makes the perfect carpenter pencil? Here are a few factors you should consider before investing in one:
- The type of graphite core. The graphite core in carpenter pencils comes in soft, medium, hard and solid lead options. A softer lead core wears off faster, but it leaves darker impressions on the wood. You can expect more durability but lighter impressions as it moves up the hardness scale.
- The type of wood you are working on. Soft lead carpenter pencils are the best option for marking softer woods. On the other hand, hard lead pencils are better to use on hard woods because they are more resistant.
- Versatility. Hard and solid lead pencils are multipurpose and can be used on other surfaces such as glass, concrete, brick, and plastered walls. Therefore, if you work on such surfaces, you get more bang for your buck by buying a multipurpose carpenter’s pen.
- Smudge Resistance: F and HB lead grades are known for their smudge resistance. As you may already know, messy smudge marks on wood can be a nuisance, so using a smudge-resistant pencil makes work easier.
- Convenience: Built-in sharpeners and refill options make carpenter pencils more convenient. However, traditional woodwork pencils are still more convenient for some seasoned carpenters, so it’s best to compare both options before buying.
- Color: A brightly colored pencil is easier to spot, whether you’re trying to find it inside a toolbox or against a dark-colored working space.
- Price: You shouldn’t assume that more expensive brands do a better job than their cheaper counterparts. Begin by assessing the suitability of a pencil based on the qualities mentioned above, and you may be surprised to find suitable cheap options.
- Environmental Impact: Some carpenter pencils have a plastic casing around the graphite core, while others have a wooden one. Wooden pencils are biodegradable, and in turn, better for the environment.
Woodworking Pencil Recommendations To Consider
You can easily get woodworking pencils at your local hardware store. Still, I have compiled this short list of carpenter pencil suggestions that are available on Amazon to help you have an easier time shopping:
Hiboom Solid Carpenter Pencil Set
This refillable pencil features a needle-nose tip that you can use to access hard-to-reach areas (like holes). It also has a built-in sharpener that ensures a sharpened tip every time. Additionally, it is versatile and can be used on wood, glass, metal, plastic, or paper.
GRAPHITE Hard Lead Carpenter Pencil
This pencil is ideal for use on both wood and concrete. It has a solid lead core and draws high precision, legible marks that are smudge-resistant. These pencils also come in a wide range of vibrant colors, making them easy to spot even against a dark surface.
IRWIN Carpenter Pencil
Customers highly rate this product for its sturdiness and durability. It can be used on various surfaces and has a broad medium lead core that makes fine lines for the detailed drawings. The broad, medium lead makes it possible to make lines of varying thicknesses as you work.
Valuable Tips for Using Your Woodworking Pencil
It helps to know a few tips and tricks that help you save time and energy when working with a carpenter pencil. Some tricks may even help you get extra value from your carpenter pencil.
Here is a list of some valuable tips for using your woodworking pencil:
- Sharpen both ends of your pencil to save on sharpening time while in use.
- When working on smooth wooden surfaces, sharpen your pencil to a thin edge to get thinner and more precise lines.
- Use a blunt tip when marking out rough surfaces such as rough timber and brick because a thin tip will keep breaking off (causing wastage).
- Opt for a fixable sharpener that can be attached to the workspace over using a knife or blade for sharpening, as you can easily sharpen with one hand using the former.
- When decking, grab two pencils and use one as a spacer by using its width to measure repetitively even spaces as needed.
Conclusion
The recommended pencils for woodworking are carpenter pencils. Their ergonomic design and graphite core allow a better grip while preventing the pencil from rolling off your workspace.
Before purchasing a carpenter pencil, consider factors such as graphite core, environmental impact, versatility, color, smudge resistance, convenience, and the type of wood you’re working on. All these will affect your experience when using the pencil.
You can purchase them in your local hardware store or, more conveniently, on Amazon. Following the recommended tips highlighted in this article, you can save valuable time, money, and energy whenever you use your carpenter pencil.
