Comments on: Perfectly sharpened pencils http://boingboing.net/2013/02/28/perfectly-sharpened-pencils.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 19 Jun 2013 02:23:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: capnmarrrrk http://boingboing.net/2013/02/28/perfectly-sharpened-pencils.html#comment-1669098 capnmarrrrk Fri, 01 Mar 2013 22:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216007#comment-1669098 I've blown through my blades. You can buy replacement blades here http://www.pencilthings.com/category-s/83.htm I’ve blown through my blades. You can buy replacement blades here http://www.pencilthings.com/category-s/83.htm

]]> By: Beanolini http://boingboing.net/2013/02/28/perfectly-sharpened-pencils.html#comment-1668475 Beanolini Fri, 01 Mar 2013 13:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216007#comment-1668475 <blockquote>You are left with a cylinder of graphite sticking out</blockquote>I'm feeling pedantic today, so I'd like to point out that it's not just graphite. Most likely <a href="http://www.blurtit.com/q9883867.html" rel="nofollow">20-30% of that dark substance</a> is clay and wax.

You are left with a cylinder of graphite sticking out

I’m feeling pedantic today, so I’d like to point out that it’s not just graphite. Most likely 20-30% of that dark substance is clay and wax.

]]> By: Thorzdad http://boingboing.net/2013/02/28/perfectly-sharpened-pencils.html#comment-1668461 Thorzdad Fri, 01 Mar 2013 13:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216007#comment-1668461 <i>"I use soft pencils and I bear down hard when I write."</i> You're doing it wrong. The beauty of a soft lead is how little force is required to make a mark. “I use soft pencils and I bear down hard when I write.”
You’re doing it wrong. The beauty of a soft lead is how little force is required to make a mark.

]]> By: Dlo Burns http://boingboing.net/2013/02/28/perfectly-sharpened-pencils.html#comment-1668388 Dlo Burns Fri, 01 Mar 2013 08:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216007#comment-1668388 kinda, they're a somewhat flat-ish hexidecimal but not as wide kinda, they’re a somewhat flat-ish hexidecimal but not as wide

]]> By: stasike http://boingboing.net/2013/02/28/perfectly-sharpened-pencils.html#comment-1668379 stasike Fri, 01 Mar 2013 07:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216007#comment-1668379 You aren't doing it the best way. Have a look at this monograph ;-) http://www.amazon.com/How-Sharpen-Pencils-Theoretical-Contractors/dp/1612190405 You aren’t doing it the best way.
Have a look at this monograph ;-)
http://www.amazon.com/How-Sharpen-Pencils-Theoretical-Contractors/dp/1612190405

]]> By: graywh http://boingboing.net/2013/02/28/perfectly-sharpened-pencils.html#comment-1668295 graywh Fri, 01 Mar 2013 04:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216007#comment-1668295 You mean carpenter pencils that are typically flat (or elliptical) and can't be used with a round-holed sharper? You mean carpenter pencils that are typically flat (or elliptical) and can’t be used with a round-holed sharper?

]]> By: Dlo Burns http://boingboing.net/2013/02/28/perfectly-sharpened-pencils.html#comment-1668288 Dlo Burns Fri, 01 Mar 2013 04:12:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216007#comment-1668288 Or construction pencils. Or construction pencils.

]]> By: Flugfrei Jones http://boingboing.net/2013/02/28/perfectly-sharpened-pencils.html#comment-1668278 Flugfrei Jones Fri, 01 Mar 2013 03:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216007#comment-1668278 welp, time to burn down the art. KIDS! GET YOUR STUFF! (kidding, of course, that's impressive) welp, time to burn down the art. KIDS! GET YOUR STUFF!

(kidding, of course, that’s impressive)

]]> By: Flugfrei Jones http://boingboing.net/2013/02/28/perfectly-sharpened-pencils.html#comment-1668277 Flugfrei Jones Fri, 01 Mar 2013 03:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216007#comment-1668277 i've sworn by staedtler's mars 780 drafting pencils for many years.. 2b graphite and a square of ~300 grit sandpaper and i'm set. it takes 3 seconds to mod the tip however i need. (pic is from a prospective beer label.. didn't pan out =p) i’ve sworn by staedtler’s mars 780 drafting pencils for many years.. 2b graphite and a square of ~300 grit sandpaper and i’m set. it takes 3 seconds to mod the tip however i need.

(pic is from a prospective beer label.. didn’t pan out =p)

]]> By: pjcamp http://boingboing.net/2013/02/28/perfectly-sharpened-pencils.html#comment-1668241 pjcamp Fri, 01 Mar 2013 02:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216007#comment-1668241 Perhaps a pen would be in order. Perhaps a pen would be in order.

]]> By: Duncan Creamer http://boingboing.net/2013/02/28/perfectly-sharpened-pencils.html#comment-1668115 Duncan Creamer Fri, 01 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216007#comment-1668115 I really like my Kuru Toga mechanical pencil. It rotates the lead as you write, always keeping the tip sharp, rather then letting it flatten on one edge. http://amzn.to/Wkt4n5 I really like my Kuru Toga mechanical pencil. It rotates the lead as you write, always keeping the tip sharp, rather then letting it flatten on one edge.
http://amzn.to/Wkt4n5

]]> By: GawainLavers http://boingboing.net/2013/02/28/perfectly-sharpened-pencils.html#comment-1668077 GawainLavers Thu, 28 Feb 2013 23:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216007#comment-1668077 Yours?  Pretty.  But I just occasionally sketch with an HB these days. Yours?  Pretty.  But I just occasionally sketch with an HB these days.

]]> By: GawainLavers http://boingboing.net/2013/02/28/perfectly-sharpened-pencils.html#comment-1668073 GawainLavers Thu, 28 Feb 2013 23:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216007#comment-1668073 I'm sure they'll take away a pencil sharpener these days too, but yes, I've lost about 5 that way.  Actually, lost the last one going to jury duty. I'm old, but I can remember when they were about $20.  Absent-mindedness is costing me substantially more now. On a side note, I did this once in Brazil.  My connecting flight was going to leave in about 30 minutes; I swung by the Varig desks just in case, but the line was about eighty long.  I stood there for a moment, dejected, and a staff member came up who had apparently been checking every person in the line to see what it was in particular they needed.  They took down my flight number, took the knife, and it was waiting for me in an envelope in Sao Paulo. I’m sure they’ll take away a pencil sharpener these days too, but yes, I’ve lost about 5 that way.  Actually, lost the last one going to jury duty.

I’m old, but I can remember when they were about $20.  Absent-mindedness is costing me substantially more now.

On a side note, I did this once in Brazil.  My connecting flight was going to leave in about 30 minutes; I swung by the Varig desks just in case, but the line was about eighty long.  I stood there for a moment, dejected, and a staff member came up who had apparently been checking every person in the line to see what it was in particular they needed.  They took down my flight number, took the knife, and it was waiting for me in an envelope in Sao Paulo.

]]> By: Stanley_2@@1 http://boingboing.net/2013/02/28/perfectly-sharpened-pencils.html#comment-1668070 Stanley_2@@1 Thu, 28 Feb 2013 23:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216007#comment-1668070 This is a great sharpener — but I REALLY wish the hinge to open the sharpener to empty is wasn't simply a thin point in the plastic. It breaks way too soon and makes an otherwise well-designed item seem cheap. For a sharpener well designed enough to take replacement blades, I wish I didn't have to keep putting packing tape on it to act as a hinge. Not to nit-pick, it comes from a place of love. This is a great sharpener — but I REALLY wish the hinge to open the sharpener to empty is wasn’t simply a thin point in the plastic. It breaks way too soon and makes an otherwise well-designed item seem cheap. For a sharpener well designed enough to take replacement blades, I wish I didn’t have to keep putting packing tape on it to act as a hinge. Not to nit-pick, it comes from a place of love.

]]> By: capnmarrrrk http://boingboing.net/2013/02/28/perfectly-sharpened-pencils.html#comment-1668059 capnmarrrrk Thu, 28 Feb 2013 23:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216007#comment-1668059 Right up to the point TSA takes it away from you because you thought you lost it and it was in your bag the whole time. Right up to the point TSA takes it away from you because you thought you lost it and it was in your bag the whole time.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2013/02/28/perfectly-sharpened-pencils.html#comment-1668056 Antinous / Moderator Thu, 28 Feb 2013 23:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216007#comment-1668056 You use the tip?  With Prismacolor, I use the side. You use the tip?  With Prismacolor, I use the side.

]]> By: Andrea http://boingboing.net/2013/02/28/perfectly-sharpened-pencils.html#comment-1667985 Andrea Thu, 28 Feb 2013 22:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216007#comment-1667985 I don't know. Even in filling things in, if I'm not careful, a lopsided point can get me into trouble. I don’t know. Even in filling things in, if I’m not careful, a lopsided point can get me into trouble.

]]> By: David Lanteigne http://boingboing.net/2013/02/28/perfectly-sharpened-pencils.html#comment-1667972 David Lanteigne Thu, 28 Feb 2013 22:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216007#comment-1667972 One of the advantages of using a soft, dark pencil is that it is not necessary to bear down to make a distinct mark.  A  lightly held pencil used with minimal force may make for a more pleasant hand-writing experience. (For 45 years I was doing it the wrong way.)  Pencils, such as drawing pencils, come in a variety of hardnesses so the same pressure can produce a variety of marks. One of the advantages of using a soft, dark pencil is that it is not necessary to bear down to make a distinct mark.  A  lightly held pencil used with minimal force may make for a more pleasant hand-writing experience. (For 45 years I was doing it the wrong way.)  Pencils, such as drawing pencils, come in a variety of hardnesses so the same pressure can produce a variety of marks.

]]> By: Little Mouse http://boingboing.net/2013/02/28/perfectly-sharpened-pencils.html#comment-1667934 Little Mouse Thu, 28 Feb 2013 21:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216007#comment-1667934 I felt like that the first time I found out too. For many years I thought it was for chunky novelty pencils like the ones my brother would get when we were little. I felt like that the first time I found out too. For many years I thought it was for chunky novelty pencils like the ones my brother would get when we were little.

]]> By: graywh http://boingboing.net/2013/02/28/perfectly-sharpened-pencils.html#comment-1667921 graywh Thu, 28 Feb 2013 21:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216007#comment-1667921 Those have 2 different sized holes for 2 different barrel widths.  Think skinny adult pencils and fat Kindergarten pencils. Those have 2 different sized holes for 2 different barrel widths.  Think skinny adult pencils and fat Kindergarten pencils.

]]> By: GawainLavers http://boingboing.net/2013/02/28/perfectly-sharpened-pencils.html#comment-1667912 GawainLavers Thu, 28 Feb 2013 21:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216007#comment-1667912 Do you do much line work with the colored pencils?  A softer edge may be more appropriate anyway. Do you do much line work with the colored pencils?  A softer edge may be more appropriate anyway.

]]> By: SomeGuyNamedMark http://boingboing.net/2013/02/28/perfectly-sharpened-pencils.html#comment-1667883 SomeGuyNamedMark Thu, 28 Feb 2013 21:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216007#comment-1667883 A pencil?  What is this tool that you speak of? A pencil?  What is this tool that you speak of?

]]> By: Andrea http://boingboing.net/2013/02/28/perfectly-sharpened-pencils.html#comment-1667822 Andrea Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216007#comment-1667822  If one of my colored pencils proves brittle, I'll resort to a a pocket knife. The trouble is, I'm not very good at getting a consistent point. It takes a lot of work, and colored pencils wear down fast.  If one of my colored pencils proves brittle, I’ll resort to a a pocket knife. The trouble is, I’m not very good at getting a consistent point. It takes a lot of work, and colored pencils wear down fast.

]]> By: Michael Pusateri http://boingboing.net/2013/02/28/perfectly-sharpened-pencils.html#comment-1667824 Michael Pusateri Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216007#comment-1667824 I have trained with David Rees.  He uses this sharpener and recommends it. I have trained with David Rees.  He uses this sharpener and recommends it.

]]> By: Danny Brizzi http://boingboing.net/2013/02/28/perfectly-sharpened-pencils.html#comment-1667816 Danny Brizzi Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:52:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216007#comment-1667816 yeah I was a bit depressed to find this out. yeah I was a bit depressed to find this out.

]]> By: BurntHombre http://boingboing.net/2013/02/28/perfectly-sharpened-pencils.html#comment-1667808 BurntHombre Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216007#comment-1667808 I never realized that's why so many portable pencil sharpeners have a bigger and a smaller hole. Holy cow, I've been doing it wrong all this time. I never realized that’s why so many portable pencil sharpeners have a bigger and a smaller hole. Holy cow, I’ve been doing it wrong all this time.

]]> By: CliffordS http://boingboing.net/2013/02/28/perfectly-sharpened-pencils.html#comment-1667798 CliffordS Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216007#comment-1667798 Instead of step 2, you should use a sanding block.  It will change your life.   Instead of step 2, you should use a sanding block.  It will change your life.  

]]> By: memoid http://boingboing.net/2013/02/28/perfectly-sharpened-pencils.html#comment-1667783 memoid Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216007#comment-1667783 Every gentleman should carry a pocket-size two-hole pencil sharpener, for those lonely hours after a good brandy in the parlor. Every gentleman should carry a pocket-size two-hole pencil sharpener, for those lonely hours after a good brandy in the parlor.

]]> By: Charles Berolzheimer http://boingboing.net/2013/02/28/perfectly-sharpened-pencils.html#comment-1667780 Charles Berolzheimer Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216007#comment-1667780 The orange colored Palomino version of the KUM sharpener as pictured in this post is available at this link along with the Blackwing version  http://www.pencils.com/accessories/sharpeners The orange colored Palomino version of the KUM sharpener as pictured in this post is available at this link along with the Blackwing version  http://www.pencils.com/accessories/sharpeners

]]> By: DoctorTecate http://boingboing.net/2013/02/28/perfectly-sharpened-pencils.html#comment-1667775 DoctorTecate Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216007#comment-1667775 What would David Rees do? What would David Rees do?

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