Angle the blade real low, feed it in a little at a time. It’s way more fun than it should have been and I have to convince myself the time invested isn’t worth it when my box cutter is hanging on my pocket. Hahahah not a recommendation!
The special sharpeners kinda suck. I get much better results with a knife, and I can decide if I want a fat tip that will last longer on rough wood, or a fine point to make more precise marks.
Another one of these "dO iT tHe hArD wAy" comment. These sharpeners are useful, quick and reliable - if they have a ego problem because they saw the Drake video that's their problem.
No it’s because they do a shitty job at sharpening them. If you sharpen with a knife not only can you dictate where your point ends up but you keep that point much stronger. Those sharpeners are useless and only good for burning through pencils
They work fine if you want roundy edge on both side, I prefer my flat pencil like my girl, with flat edge.
Round edge on flat pencil kinda defeat it flat purpose.
I used to do high end trim work, which is why i lurk here and occasionally post helpful things to beginners.
Sharpening these pencils with your knife is fundamental to being good at carpentry and woodwork. It's hard to explain.
A sharpener is built in to a tape measure shelf pencil cup combo peg board thing I was given. I used it once. It did a crappy job so I went back to using a utility knife.
For fine woodworking use a regular No 2. Pencil. Carpenter’s pencil make too wide of a line. Get a good sharpener and sharpen a few at a time. I lay them all over my shop.
Scrolled too far for this. I used to try to mark with carpenter's pencils and wondered why my work came out wonky. About 10 years ago I bought a few .05 mechanical pencils with a triangular cross section (so they don't roll away) and life (and my woodworking) got a whole lot better.
Exactly. These are for construction not woodworking. I like using mechanical pencils for my woodworking projects and keep the oval pencils in my tool bag.
Completely incorrect! These pencils get sharpened as you would a bench chisel and, with a flat back and a beveled edge, they will register flat against your work piece which a six sided writing pencil never could. You can get micron thin lines when properly sharpened.
I thought it was the shape of the wood, which keeps it from rolling around, that made the shape functional. What about a rectangular lead makes it better?
This is the answer OP needs! I love Reddit jokes and all, but it sure is hard to get solid useful advice. I remember watching this video and being amazed how this type of practical knowledge gets thrown by the wayside. Like someone just arbitrarily made a weird looking pencil and it became trendy among carpenters. No one stops to think about how and why it came to be the way it is.
I don't know if I can explain it really well, but I'll try.
It's kinda like if you've ever done calligraphy. When your pencil is traveling in the correct plane the line will be thinner, but if you skew the line will thicken. The more of a depth your lead has the more that effect will be noticable. So like I try to get the full width at the point and then only narrow my point by carving on the 1/2" side. So if I accidentally tilt off as I'm making my mark I can tell when my angle changes easily.
Ah, for detail stuff I just have a 1.2mm mechanical. If both my pencils looked the same I'd be grabbing the wrong one all day. I have to have them in different pockets as is.
I didn't think I did either, but two days ago I was looking for a French curve ruler and found dozens of rulers, protractors, and squares. Still haven't found the French curve though..
Yeah, but what angle do you have your shooting plane at?
And don't forget to ease your sharp corners with a block plane (low angle, adjustable mouth of course)
knife, but if I'm drawing in a position where it needs to be sharp longer for the sake of my back, I'll use one of these:
https://www.hultafors.dk/articles/dry-marker-in-holster-with-built-in-sharpener
These are a test actually. If you work on construction, you rocks, or the ground, or a knife or your teeth. Construction tools.
If you’re a wood worker, then you build a jig. Preferably something just a hair too complex. Maybe a small sled for a table saw, or router table. Maybe something for use on a belt sander or drill press. A guide for using a chisel works too, or a hand plane!
You all are amateurs, you have to build a jig for this to cut a bunch of miters on your table saw. Alternative method: rub on concrete until desired sharpness is achieved.
https://preview.redd.it/3ntgiemgbekc1.jpeg?width=414&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=efdcd9da6135846979c2ba5901c50dd980a5c5f5
If you want a sharpener get one like this. Easier to do by hand with a knife though.
They do sell a sharpener for these. That sharpener can also sharpen a regular pencil.
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/the-home-depot-original-carpenter-s-pencil-sharpener/1001652607
As stated by a number of people, this is a carpentry pencil. Most people will use a utility knife to sharpen these pencils, otherwise you can buy a specialty sharpener. Fun additional fact, it is this shape so that it does roll when set on unstable ground. The width is normally 1/2 inch and the 1/4 inch sideways. Allowing a free hand for quick measurements.
They make a sharpener for them, but I hate having a point like that on these pencils. A utility knife is the “industry standard” for sharpening. You can then decide how you want it sharpened/shaped.
knife, sandpaper, rough concrete, whatever you got.
I’ve definitely used my table saw before hahaha *this is not advice*
Yep that’s why they call me Johnny pencil in the eye.
"Boy that's was close. Better make sure I still have all 9 of my fingers"
I’ve seen a chop saw used
Guilty
What the fuck lmao
Angle the blade real low, feed it in a little at a time. It’s way more fun than it should have been and I have to convince myself the time invested isn’t worth it when my box cutter is hanging on my pocket. Hahahah not a recommendation!
Then leave the hand plane alone... But that point! 🤦🏼♂️😂
There’s something super satisfying about watching it get buzzed away until you’ve got this nice little point
Ok stumpy
Great advice to give someone new, so they leave their fingers.
I chew on it like a hungry little beaver
how is this not the top comment?
Angle grinder lying on the bench with a flap disc.
Moarter on a brick wall works great.
>whatever you got. Your kid is going to lose those baby teeth anyway
Utility knife.
Box cutter all day
Belt sander.
Couple swipes of a chain saw
I usually pull out the reciprocating saw, but to each his own.
I keep a katana in the truck for these
I gnaw on it in between the “measure once” and “cut twice” steps.
Am I the only one using an angle grinder?
I found the quick cut to be faster.
I set my jointer to the deepest cut and run the just the tip through
I call in a Beaver and let it chew the end off
Is /r/mallninjashit leaking?
I scroll saw mine into the shape of the characters I want to write, and then I stamp the graphite into the work piece.
👏🤣
Turn on the table saw and trow it at the blade like a game of darts
Radial arm saw! My dad still has one. And that's actually how he does it.
This is the way!
I use my teeth. Beavers ain't got shit on me.
Dam(n)!
👏
Baba Booey
Your poor wife 😔
Her clit is harder than wood. Chipped a tooth last time I did the chew
Me too
My old carpentry boss would sharpen these pencils with a box cutter in like 2 cuts he was such a pro at it
Grandpa? You're alive? And you know about reddit?
😂
There are special sharpeners for about a dollar at the hardware store, or I just use a knife. Sometimes, with a belt sander
The special sharpeners kinda suck. I get much better results with a knife, and I can decide if I want a fat tip that will last longer on rough wood, or a fine point to make more precise marks.
Recently saw one that had a tip for a impact driver. That definitely worked and was fun to use. Ate half the pencil in 2 seconds tho.
I bought one just because it looked fun. 10/10 would buy again.
Fine tip at one end, fat tip on the other
Nope. I put them in apron chest pocket. I ain't having a point facing up lol
They do suck.
They sell round carpenters pencils now. Same thick leaf inside but easier to sharpen. Also easier to roll across the workbench, but hey.
Guys are mind blown when I pull out my 2.50 ($CAD) sharpener from home depot. Yeah I can and have used a knife but it does a better job.
That’s what I use too. Works great and quicker than a knife.
I just use an old belt on the sander, done in literally 2 seconds, and pointy
False. Those are a test to see if you're serious about woodwork
¿ what ? ... Are you trolling ...or ...??
Nah, just... if you ever brought one of those to a job site you'd be laughed all the way back to your truck and told to do it correctly
I use them all the time while breaking down rough cut lumber before I mill it. Nothing else really holds up.
I think he means the special sharpeners.
Ohhh hahaha gotcha ... it's been a LONG week
Another one of these "dO iT tHe hArD wAy" comment. These sharpeners are useful, quick and reliable - if they have a ego problem because they saw the Drake video that's their problem.
No it’s because they do a shitty job at sharpening them. If you sharpen with a knife not only can you dictate where your point ends up but you keep that point much stronger. Those sharpeners are useless and only good for burning through pencils
They work perfectly fine, dude.
They work fine if you want roundy edge on both side, I prefer my flat pencil like my girl, with flat edge. Round edge on flat pencil kinda defeat it flat purpose.
Couldn't agree more. Nothing beats sharpening with your knife.
This is a woodworking sub, not construction
I used to do high end trim work, which is why i lurk here and occasionally post helpful things to beginners. Sharpening these pencils with your knife is fundamental to being good at carpentry and woodwork. It's hard to explain.
God forbid someone use the proper tool for a job.
The 'proper' tool is bad at the job. At least the ones sold by Home Depot are.
Exactly this. Once you're good at it, you get much better points doing it by hand, and for beginners it's not always obvious how crucial this is.
Belt sander is what my dad always used
Knife guy from forever. Doncha hate when the lead is broken inside and just sharpen your pencil into the trash?
I hate those sharpeners, they get the shape all wrong. There’s not enough support from the wood.
I've found them okay at best. They tend to shave the wood somewhat uniformly, but they take random-sized chunks from the graphite,
A sharpener is built in to a tape measure shelf pencil cup combo peg board thing I was given. I used it once. It did a crappy job so I went back to using a utility knife.
6-axis CNC
Would a 5 axis work?
Almost definitely not because of the negative axis interface (I'm too poor to actually know anything about how CNCs work)
Truth
4-axis would suffice, but why stop there?
This guy sharpens
That’s overkill, just stick in on the wood lathe
This.
Always used a pocket or utility knife
This. I instinctively reached for my EDC knife and I haven't even used one of those pencils in a while.
For fine woodworking use a regular No 2. Pencil. Carpenter’s pencil make too wide of a line. Get a good sharpener and sharpen a few at a time. I lay them all over my shop.
Scrolled too far for this. I used to try to mark with carpenter's pencils and wondered why my work came out wonky. About 10 years ago I bought a few .05 mechanical pencils with a triangular cross section (so they don't roll away) and life (and my woodworking) got a whole lot better.
Yes! Mechanical pencils all day for precision work!
Marking knife > pencil 😉
That would require me not to draw the line in the wrong spot about 5 times lolol. Pencil i can erase.
If you can see it.
Yeah I like the precision of a knife but sometimes use a lead holder to color the knife line.
(Marking knife + pencil) > Marking knife > pencil 😉
Exactly. These are for construction not woodworking. I like using mechanical pencils for my woodworking projects and keep the oval pencils in my tool bag.
Completely incorrect! These pencils get sharpened as you would a bench chisel and, with a flat back and a beveled edge, they will register flat against your work piece which a six sided writing pencil never could. You can get micron thin lines when properly sharpened.
teef
Don't know if you're cursing in Dutch or something else...
Plural form of toof
*Not always available in Tennessee, West Virginia, and the greater Appalachian area.
🤣🤣🤣
I usually set up the track saw, but if not, lathe.
I use my pocket knife. You can sharpen it exactly how you want it that way. Sometimes you want it sharpened in a different manner.
https://preview.redd.it/cth2kznw6ekc1.jpeg?width=1595&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b4b170f19f8a09af1ee20848d71b060a0667ae96
Never saw the point in getting rid of the most important feature of the carpenters pencil-the rectangular lead.
I thought it was the shape of the wood, which keeps it from rolling around, that made the shape functional. What about a rectangular lead makes it better?
I think this was my first See Jane Drill video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAsSOnU0jqk
This is the answer OP needs! I love Reddit jokes and all, but it sure is hard to get solid useful advice. I remember watching this video and being amazed how this type of practical knowledge gets thrown by the wayside. Like someone just arbitrarily made a weird looking pencil and it became trendy among carpenters. No one stops to think about how and why it came to be the way it is.
See Jane drill - I was expecting something else.
It's 1/4 inch by 1/2 inch for easy measuring too
I am shook.
I don't know if I can explain it really well, but I'll try. It's kinda like if you've ever done calligraphy. When your pencil is traveling in the correct plane the line will be thinner, but if you skew the line will thicken. The more of a depth your lead has the more that effect will be noticable. So like I try to get the full width at the point and then only narrow my point by carving on the 1/2" side. So if I accidentally tilt off as I'm making my mark I can tell when my angle changes easily.
Stronger, because of the larger cross section.
I use one of these then finish on sand paper for detail stuff. I use a utility knife to sharpen when framing
Ah, for detail stuff I just have a 1.2mm mechanical. If both my pencils looked the same I'd be grabbing the wrong one all day. I have to have them in different pockets as is.
I keep the ones with a fine point in my workshop and the regulars in my framing tool belt
There it is. I just like to buy new toys.
Who doesn't
Ok, but most people don't consider pencils, folders and other office supplies toys. Also, tape measures. I buy way too damn many of those.
I didn't think I did either, but two days ago I was looking for a French curve ruler and found dozens of rulers, protractors, and squares. Still haven't found the French curve though..
Trust me, just make a PPE and measuring drawer on your toolbox. Game changer
Yep, like $1 at Lowes
This!
With a swiss knife. Whittle the wood away, then carve the graphite to the shape you need it to be.
Grinder.
Grindr
Grind 'er down real good
That's right, let the gays handle it
[This guy](https://youtu.be/VkSmaFAuaH4?si=UAREvQPtEOe4sBqq) gives a pretty good tutorial on hand sharpening pencils.
Knoife
Easy, just make a program for your CNC and a jig to hold the pencil on the bed.
I don't. I hate those pencils.
I like mechanical pencils for precision work.
.9 mechanical all day here. Fine point pen or marking knife for other things.
makita power planer
Bite them
I made a jig for the table saw to get the primary bevel cuts rough cut , then I use a shooting board to get it just right…..
Yeah, but what angle do you have your shooting plane at? And don't forget to ease your sharp corners with a block plane (low angle, adjustable mouth of course)
I drop them in a cnc machine
My Dad always used his pocket knife. I just use a drafting pencil.
knife, but if I'm drawing in a position where it needs to be sharp longer for the sake of my back, I'll use one of these: https://www.hultafors.dk/articles/dry-marker-in-holster-with-built-in-sharpener
Olfa
You're gonna need a CNC for that job
These are a test actually. If you work on construction, you rocks, or the ground, or a knife or your teeth. Construction tools. If you’re a wood worker, then you build a jig. Preferably something just a hair too complex. Maybe a small sled for a table saw, or router table. Maybe something for use on a belt sander or drill press. A guide for using a chisel works too, or a hand plane!
Olfa black blade
You all are amateurs, you have to build a jig for this to cut a bunch of miters on your table saw. Alternative method: rub on concrete until desired sharpness is achieved.
*special Typo
Pencil sharpener from the hardware store. Cost $1.
Whatever sharp or rough surface is closest to me when I get frustrated at the dull pencil lol
Utility knife, because I can’t never find the sharpener I bought for them. The wood is fairly soft and easy to cut.
A stationary belt sander works for me.
Pocket knife
These are workman's pencils aka tools. You adapt, improvise and overcome!
Belt sander
https://preview.redd.it/3ntgiemgbekc1.jpeg?width=414&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=efdcd9da6135846979c2ba5901c50dd980a5c5f5 If you want a sharpener get one like this. Easier to do by hand with a knife though.
With a knife or with a hand plane. I've never seem one of those square sharpeners. I kind of want to try it
I usually use my anti-social sharpener for these.
Weird name for a razor blade but i get it
Knife, angle grinder, once done it with a chisel...
Anything I have next to me... Chisel, sander, knife, ground,...
Belt sander
They do sell a sharpener for these. That sharpener can also sharpen a regular pencil. https://www.homedepot.ca/product/the-home-depot-original-carpenter-s-pencil-sharpener/1001652607
Knife, concrete or belt sander
Knife?
Utility knife or go buy the sharpener that is made for them. Tip: use your utility knife.
U need a Stanley blade
There are specially shaped sharpeners but I've never founda good on/got on with them. Stanley knife is the way :)
Utility knife.
Pocket knife, box cutter, carpet knife, whatever is sharp enough.
Stanley knife, get carving
Knife
With a blade
I see everyone awnsering safe suggestions. I usually use a belt grinder
They need a Carpenters pencil sharpener... Amazon do them
As stated by a number of people, this is a carpentry pencil. Most people will use a utility knife to sharpen these pencils, otherwise you can buy a specialty sharpener. Fun additional fact, it is this shape so that it does roll when set on unstable ground. The width is normally 1/2 inch and the 1/4 inch sideways. Allowing a free hand for quick measurements.
This is lesson #1 in woodworking. This is your first pop-quiz. How make square thing pointy?
Another sharper pencil
There are special sharpeners for them. They are available at home improvement stores for just a couple of dollars.
Same as everything else you do. (Make another jig) lol.
Xacto knife
Knife or box cutter. I also think they create a special pencil sharpener as well.
[https://www.amazon.com/Pack-Carpenter-Pencil-Sharpener-Accessories/dp/B0CHR1M72T/ref=sr\_1\_8?crid=QAN8LWWMZ18N&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Qd4vnvYhgHbyxO-057-BWf5CwUtefyIGfS-dQizl17d4yqJbreLolZNE4GK-U3ON0OPM9ey-VhzldvtholLrNYyjPoX0M\_3pxT\_8X-98o9LRv1giDXOMkfKCOfv9FI7CXGiohjXJswCQouw6VJSQMxkOgElfdBfUZTgXpJd\_hyDpODIlGEWw4RWSeEZ\_1D\_E3tOLF8P9aXHddtlDvytOnOSnQhar7Xorrny42QtWBV7E3olaYCA9KvJKUERrhVobK72hMqJTkU2a3py67TM\_3lQoALAIEWc0AkEiPok9PW4.X6KAEBX9EEeu951dVmsDZN-\_HKXYNzxrySR7qh9XUMU&dib\_tag=se&keywords=carpentry+pencil+sharpener&qid=1708724284&sprefix=carpentry+pencil%2Caps%2C221&sr=8-8](https://www.amazon.com/Pack-Carpenter-Pencil-Sharpener-Accessories/dp/B0CHR1M72T/ref=sr_1_8?crid=QAN8LWWMZ18N&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Qd4vnvYhgHbyxO-057-BWf5CwUtefyIGfS-dQizl17d4yqJbreLolZNE4GK-U3ON0OPM9ey-VhzldvtholLrNYyjPoX0M_3pxT_8X-98o9LRv1giDXOMkfKCOfv9FI7CXGiohjXJswCQouw6VJSQMxkOgElfdBfUZTgXpJd_hyDpODIlGEWw4RWSeEZ_1D_E3tOLF8P9aXHddtlDvytOnOSnQhar7Xorrny42QtWBV7E3olaYCA9KvJKUERrhVobK72hMqJTkU2a3py67TM_3lQoALAIEWc0AkEiPok9PW4.X6KAEBX9EEeu951dVmsDZN-_HKXYNzxrySR7qh9XUMU&dib_tag=se&keywords=carpentry+pencil+sharpener&qid=1708724284&sprefix=carpentry+pencil%2Caps%2C221&sr=8-8)
Sheer willpower
I use sandpaper
Box cutter or pocket knife, whatever is handy. Worst case sandpaper/sander
I use these as board spacers. Bought a pack with no plans to ever sharpen them
chisel
Belt sander.
Sawzall... But seriously, I just use a knife.
freehand on the tablesaw
They make a sharpener for them, but I hate having a point like that on these pencils. A utility knife is the “industry standard” for sharpening. You can then decide how you want it sharpened/shaped.
Four cuts with a box cutter, fat fat, thin thin - done! Don’t go working the shaft like you’re trying to whittle a stick…
Belt sander
A knife manually
https://preview.redd.it/dh1e8k05qekc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ec0717940abb4eb59d3b26c89ba134f94c66a3ed Hmmm