Carving a Lead Pencil

A sharp knife is essential for carving a lead pencil point.

People often take for granted the convenience of modern technology from things as sophisticated as a DVD player to something as simple as a pencil sharpener. Just imagine that you had to write an important note to someone and all you had was a lead pencil with a broken tip but no pencil sharpener. Sharpening a pencil isn't all that difficult and if you have a knife, you can easily carve the pencil into a usable point. Carving a lead pencil to a fine point is a relatively easy, several-step process almost anyone can do.

Things You'll Need

• Knife
• Lead pencil
• Whetstone

Instructions

1. Locate a suitable knife. Carving a lead pencil into a usable point depends upon having the right knife for the job. Large knives are difficult to control and thick blades make it difficult to carve a fine point with short strokes. Look for a smaller knife, something like a paring knife or a pocket knife. This size of blade will allow you more control over your carving strokes and allow you to make the short strokes necessary to carve a fine point on the pencil.

2. Determine the sharpness of the blade. Attempt to shave a thin piece of wood from the exterior of the pencil with the knife. If you are unable to remove a thin shaving from the pencil using minimal effort, the blade most likely needs sharpening. A blunt blade leads to forced carving strokes and increases the possibility of cutting your fingers. Do not attempt to carve with a blunt blade.

3. Sharpen the blade if necessary. A dull knife blade will require sharpening before you attempt to carve the lead pencil. Use a whetstone or a similar sharpening utensil to sharpen the blade. Rubbing the blade at an angle across the stone will file away the bluntness of the knife and create a fine point on the edge of the blade.

4. Grasp the pencil and knife. If right-handed, securely grasp the pencil in your left hand and hold at a downward tilting angle. Grasp the knife firmly in your right hand with a strong grip. Left-handed carvers should grasp the pencil in their right hand and the knife in their left.

5. Carve a point on the pencil. With a firm grasp on the pencil and knife begin to carefully press the knife blade to the end of the pencil and shave away wood and lead at a slight angle so the tip of the lead gradually acquires a point. Rotate the pencil in your hand so that all sides of the pencil tip are carved away equally. Continue the carving process until the desired sharpness of the lead point is achieved.

Tips & Warnings

• Be extremely careful when carving as even a slight slip of the knife blade can result in a serious cut the hand gripping the lead pencil.

References

• MatthewJamesTaylor.com; The Art of Sharpening Pencils
• art is fun!; How to Sharpen a Colored Pencil
• Pencil Revolution; Blades!