I learned the double line was made so when cutting the board, you cut along the unmarked center. This allows you to see the lines on each side and maintain a straight line. Learned this from my late great-uncle who was a cabinetmaker.
Good history lesson with the flat Carpender pencil ✏️! I was hoping you would have them in your Wranglerstar store because the likelihood of most of us running into you or Mrs. W? Nice pencil 👍👍👍👍💙❤️
as a carpenter for years I leave one side of the pencil covered by wood except the very tip making the graphite much stronger, and it still leaves you with 3 sides you use. great video sir!
Hi, Keep up the good work! I have another explanation for why the pencil is that particular size. Carpenter pencils, along with dimensional Lumber have suffered from the industry trying to make a buck. Rough cut 2x4s used to be 2"x4". Now they are 1 1/2x3 1/2. Same for the pencil. Originally they were 5/8" wide x 3/8" thick. Diagonally, chamfer to chamfer they measured 1/2". The reason for this is that they were used as a gauge before tape measures existed. Folding rules were used for long measurements. But that handy pencil (especially in pairs) was a quick way to space items equally. Like two under a window frame. I don't know everything, but I got paid to make little ones out of big ones for almost 40 years.
Nice video. Brought back memories of helping my father with his woodworking when I was just a little girl he was injured in WW11 and did not have the use of his left arm, so I would sometimes help him and I remember watching him sharpen his carpenter pencil with his ever present pocketknife. He always found a way to get things done . Always loved the feel and smell of fresh cut wood.
I tired this technique earlier and impressed my father inlaw who is a cabinet maker and general contractor was impressed I learned this trick off you when he was teaching to use a speed square and a miter saw. Thank you wranglerstar!
Other benefits of a flat pencil are: easier to sit on if its in your back pocket, fits in a binder better, and the kids are less likely to steal it for school ;D
WTFarm Girl the kids are less likely to steal it is right..kkkk little sticky fingers, look in the bookbag if you need a pencil dad, why you upset?? In the bookbag are thirty and some broken pieces lmao..best fun ever having kids
Big heels on logging boots is for the climbing spurs. The boot cuff is also doubled up on the sides and bottom to help foot fatigue. Also most logging boots almost reach the knees for the legs strap to help stop raw and sore spots. As well as being double layered up the inside to protect from splinters and accedently putting a 3 inch spur into you leg on a missed kick. Not a logger but a electrician that was trained in power pole climbing. Have not done it in 20 years or so so i am sure i missed something or got something wrong but that is the gist.
They work well to space 2x6 deck boards it makes a nice gap to wash all the dog fur and leafs threw. Your deck boards will last longer that way in the long run. Tip of the day
Darin Cooper the term was parkway came about as the freeway it “parkway” was to be a general term the way to the park. As the the freeway is to the free of stop signs etc. the drive way is the road to the house.
My grandfather and father would scrub their pencils against sandpaper after they initially cut the point in that way to sharpen it as it wore down. They never cut on the pencil after the first time unless they broke the tip off completely. I never understood why until now, it kept them from undercutting the graphite and kept the wood progressing back with the point. Thank you Cody.
Thanks for the video tip! I put mine on my Work Sharp. It puts a great tip on the pencil. I've even tried it on my bench grinder. However, learning the skill of using your knife on that pencil is a valuable asset!
I'm a fairly young Carpenter but been in heritage for 15 years now and one more reason it is rectangle is for scribing along a surface for a cut line. The beveled edges makes it glide on the surface and depending on how it is sharpened you can scribe off from 1/8" right up to 1/2" to make for a nice contoured cut to a rough surface
Did you hear about the carpenter on the job that had an accident and had his ear cut off. They rushed him to the hospital and were going to sew his ear back on. The carpenter said that's not my ear, my ear had a pencil behind it
Cody, good to see you back in your powerplace, since having been stressed out with Big projects around the homestead to a pencilvideo. I enjoyed it and I’m glad you found time doing it and to focus our attention from big things to smaller. Just great
when I'm doing carpentry, I use the chisel to sharpen the pencil. It has a double use as if the hone on the chisel is dulled then the sharpen of the pencil is a good indicator before use that the chisel needs honing, sometimes the chisel may appear sharp but that fine edge that you need to get a nice cut can be dull especially if like me you only do carpentry on a ad hoc basis and even though all my tools are put away after they have been sharpened or set ready for use, it doesn't stop our boy or or the grand children using them without me knowing and dulling them up. [fact of life, if it belongs to me, then in their eyes its there for their use as well.] The second thing is you get a nice sharpened pencil to work with ; )
Another topic I have been learning about recently , I bought a collection of antique hand saws , well I was told DUE to shape and teeth configuration would determine what type it is .
Also, when you jam it in your tool pouch in one of the pockets, the sides of the pencil bottom out before the tip does. A round pencil tip would be broken when you retrieve it most of the time. A sturdy mechanical pencil works well too, especially the three sided ones. Great video!
I actually use both, a round and a flat pencil. The flat pencil for 95% of all work. The round I use for fine work such as finish cabinetry and trim work.
I am a little late to the game but I am an electrical Lineman and as far as the heels on our boots, we use them for extra space for our climbing gaffs so they won’t contact the ground while we walk from pole to pole ( I assume the same for loggers going tree to tree) along with the bottom of our hooks having a place to be without causing missteps.
I think another reason that the graphite is square is that originally leads were made from solid graphite and the only way to separate it was to cleave it and Carpenters wanted a stronger less breakable lead so instead of square as in regular pencils they made it rectangular manufactured lead with Clay binders was developed in the early 19th century.
This is amazing as I watch a video of yours about a week ago I saw one of your pencils and wondered how you got it so sharp and how you went about sharpening it. and now here it is absolutely wonderful
In France those pencils are used by builders who make bricks and concrete buildings, our carpenters use triangular pencils as they are mostly building only the roof part of the building and work with high angles. You can also find triangular pencils with a red and a blue core used by music conductors.
I was taught when properly used, makes a perfect contour tracing when you cope a molded profile. since the center of the mark is precisely 1/8" on the long side and 1/4" on the short side, it leaves very little ambiguity or waste in your trimming.
Two sides- adjacent - short cuts. Two sides- remaining- longer cuts. Short sides support the point, longer sides allow for thighter/ more accurate mark.
Great video as always. I was taught that they are also flat so that they would lay flat against a straight edge and give you a cleaner line right on the marks against the straight edge.
Bill Bedsole Robertson Drive screws were invented by a Canadian chauvinist named Robertson . He had to die before the patent was allowed to be used in the USA.
Some row between Henry Ford, Phillips, and Robertson -- most likely due to excessive royalties/license demands. Phillips head screws are a vast improvement over slotted screws for machine installation so they were a good bit of tech in their day.
Bill Bedsole the square named Robertson head is a Canadian Patent driver and used in all manufacturing purposes from wood screws to small machine bolts it comes in 4 different sizes 0 to 3 also coulor coted yellow green red and black in proper order. it's actually the most commonly used driver in Canada.
I think tall heels on logging boots are for climbing gear. They keep the spikes in place when they wrap around the bottom of your boot. Also you won't be stepping on them when walking.
When you point the graphite on the pencil you let the now powdered graphite fall back into the retractable knife. This works as a great lubricant to keep your knife working really good. Also use the pencil led and rub it on combination squares and anything else that moves or slides.
Rather than pushing with your thumb, take the knife in your non dominant hand, extend the arm and lock the elbow, then pull the pencil toward your body. It gives you a straight cut rather than a concave one. Also allows for better control of the twist.
I believe logger's have tall heels so that you can kick things lose, I've found them useful for kicking off heavy trailer hitches, they also aid in bracing a limb with your foot to cut it. And if walking over limbs you are probably less likely to slip, the also provide a little more arch support in my opinion, it also looks good. They can also help with climbing as many linemean will tell you. I often use the front of the heel to kick or move things, or the space between the heel and the foresole to wedge my foot onto something. Loggers feel safer to wear when logging then a regular 6 inch boot in my experience.
My grandpa was a life long carpenter he only finished 8th grade went to WW2 as a medic came back and started a business in Construction. Anyways he taught me to use a knife to sharpen a pencil I just recently learned about the sharpener for a carpenter pencil.
I don't believe he was going for speed but I'm sure you are happy to have made it an imaginary competition for yourself against the great Wranglerstar. Hey, you do something better than him er go you are the better all around man!
my boss says anything longer then 20 seconds is to long to sharpening your pencil and not working , yes Dr Draws its that way in most of the construction industry
My dad showed me how to sharpen them like that with a pocket knife as sharpeners weren't available for those type. Didn't know about the reason for the flat shape. A wide tip like that works for calligraphy. Which my Dad also did.
I've also used these pencils as a straight edge to connect points. Depending on the length of the pencil haha. I've been a carpenter for 16 years and only use these. Thanks for the video Cody
Even today after many , many years I always make a chisel point on a pencil when working in wood so that the pencil highlights a line scribed by a marking knife or gauge. The chisel point of the pencil will last twice as long as a rounded pencil point. Good comments made, as well as a worthwhile explanation video.
I've been trying to prototype a pencil sharpener that does this for a loooong time! When I used to work with my grandpa I'd get annoyed at how often the super fine tips would snap off, and started always just using a knife to sharpen my pencil without even realizing why I was doing it. 3 years, an expensive 3d printer, and some expert consulting later, and I have something that almost does exactly what I want. At first it seems like an easy concept, but there are so many complex movements and pressure changes involved in getting this sort of tip on a carpenters pencil.
Scrubbing the pencil end on sandpaper removes the wood and sharpens the chisel point without stressing or weakening the graphite from an unsteady hand with a knife. (The way you used to sharpen popsicle sticks as a kid.)
Yep it’s exactly 1/4 inch on one plane and exactly 1/2 inch on the other. If you ever need that spacing on any construction materiel it works fantastically.
I just got about 6 of these flat pencils from a local "home & garden" show. I always though how did you get them sharp like a regular pencil. So, now I know. I've got a bunch of them to practice on now.
It's also a 1/4 in. × 1/2 in. and if you lay it flat and make a mark you get an 1/8 in. Bigger mark than the work your slidding it on !! Very useful for adding a blade thickness !!
I don't know how true it is but I was told by a more senior worker... That the pencil lead was shaped that way to show the kerf sizes of a handsaw (vertical side) & a powersaw (horizontal side) on the materials. Mind you...this is the same fella that tried to get me to fetch a "pipe stretcher" from the toolbox ;)
I have never seen a carpenter’s pencil sharpened to a point! That looks hilarious! Also just a thought but putting a groove in your graphite would let you mark a fine line while being very visible if you use the center of the lines as your mark.
Cant wait to hear about the logging boots! I have an idea, but i'm curious as to what you come up with. Decided to get a pair of Chippewas for work, and this first year has been wonderful!
I did not watch, remembered this, and just now assumed it was so they don't roll (which would be very helpful). The chicken came before the egg, and a station wagon was the vehicle to take down to a supply station.
wow. i had a dad who worked construction all his life and grandfather too who showed him everything and never did i ever ask nor did he offer to tell me this simple but interesting fact about flat pencils. that little tidbit of trivia just made me realize that sorry to confess that awkward detail but man its little stuff like that that makes me so upset i never learned as much as i could have from them
I view your videos as a way to relax and for enjoyment. I like the casual and informative approach. 7:43 is appropriate for this as you are talking and giving much more information and enjoyment. Just my opinion, others seem to vary.
Perfect deck board spacing and most importantly you can make a fat line and then remeasure and find out exactly where to cut. Left, right or center of the line. Something you cant do as easily with a regular pencil. You know that saying measure twice cut once well the first measurement you mark the piece and then once its marked you can then accurately cut left right or center. Two of the most important uses for this pencil not mentioned.
I had always "assumed" it was just a much stronger more durable pencil so it is better able to stand up to marking wood instead of paper like it's less stout cousin (the school pencil). The not rolling away makes sense too though.
It's also a standard width so that the line the pencil makes is 1/8" away from the edge of the pencil so you can offset your straight edge by 1/8" when drawing a line and the width of the pencil is 1/4" for standard measuring purposes.
You didn’t show the way we use them, but it’s all preference, and there are many ways to use them. I like the Dixon carpenters pencils, because the wood is soft and the lead is hard, so it’s easy to sharpen
Started my joinery apprenticeship in 1967 UK. I went to work armed with my carpenter's pencil. When my boss saw it he took it off me placed it on the bench took an axe and chopped it into pieces. He said you cannot work accurately with that it would be like trying to draw with a poker. Never used one since.......
as a carpenter of 20 plus years I was quite surprised to see this video, the pencils are flat to enable marking lines on rough material no other pencil does this better and as a benefit yah they wont role off the table lol , also use as a quarter inch spacer they work well for that too , the flat design also helps sit secure in a tool pouch pocket , out of all the reasons I say they are designed to mark lines across construction materials where all other pencils would break or wear out quickly . I have used many different types and versions of these pencils and the tried and true best is the disposable wood carpenters pencil , only reason to change pencils is if your building cabinetry or furniture ect and want a very accurate line then I switch to a stadler 0.7 mm mechanical pencil
Logging boots have the big hell on them for the same reason that electrical linemen have big heels on their boots. It has something to do with climbing poles or tree with climbing gaffs and spikes.
Just a quick photo tip, looks like your camera was auto-exposing for the dark table leaving the subject slightly over-exposed. It's no big deal the pencils weren't totally blown out, but a slight exposure adjustment, maybe lowering the iso or closing the aperture a bit would be a benefit as you should be exposing for the main subject. Great video though I can't wait to quiz someone on why the pencil isn't round!
Can use as a shim 1/4 and 1/2. Easier to scribe with. I personally like a really sharp pencil so I use a round one. Have a pencil sharpener mounted in the van and you are by it several times a day
in a pinch, instead of a compass to scribe a line you can use the pencil on the the flat side and scribe a line 1/4" to the point and use the narrow edge to scribe a 1/2" line to the point. This can all be finely tuned by the way sharpen the point.
I could also see cutting the v-groove in the graphite would be good for pattern making. Two lines, one for the actual part shape, the outer line as the preliminary cut line on say a bandsaw. Now I need to try this, I am so used to using mechanical 9mm pencils.
I heard the reason why logging boots had to thick heel is because of the spikes they would put on to climb the tree it would help Cushing the your heel of your feet
As a master carpenter I knew why they were flat but had to click and watch I think I'm becoming codependent on Wranglerstar videos. Is their a support group ?
I plan one side the the pencil so that I can rest the planed surface on a board and transfer the line to another. Helps for modeling work and dove tails. Never measure if you can help it.
Very fascinating! In the back of my mind I was always wondering why they were flat but never actually used one so I just left it as one of those mysteries. Appreciate the research. I didn't know about the little sharpener that someone invented so I was also kind of stumped about sharpening. I just thought you would do like you showed, carve it. Because I seem to be getting more motivated to do things in my shop lately I just might have a need for one of those.
Also when sliding the pencil along a surface on "the Flat" you can instantly scribe an 1/8" offset line on a material set 90 degrees, on "the edge" scribe line 1/4" (BTW only a yutz puts a round point on a flat pencil)
Hey wranglerstar, I'm in Argentina visiting my family and I found my (deceased) abuelo's hatchet. Could I send you the head to restore? This hatchet is a family keepsake and I can't find any competent ax restorers in my area in California.
Well now i finally know, thanks cody! This topic on the reason of the shape of things can be really interesting. A good one could be about squares, I know that you have a lot of videos where you talk abot them but a video with all those tips in one could be really neat!
I learned the double line was made so when cutting the board, you cut along the unmarked center. This allows you to see the lines on each side and maintain a straight line. Learned this from my late great-uncle who was a cabinetmaker.
In my wood shop they made us draw two parralel lines where we wanted to cut and made us saw between the lines
The advantage to making the v-notch in a caprenter's pencil, is it allows you to make the parallel lines with one stroke of the pencil.
Exactly. The double line straddles the cut.
This.
Good history lesson with the flat Carpender pencil ✏️! I was hoping you would have them in your Wranglerstar store because the likelihood of most of us running into you or Mrs. W? Nice pencil 👍👍👍👍💙❤️
as a carpenter for years I leave one side of the pencil covered by wood except the very tip making the graphite much stronger, and it still leaves you with 3 sides you use. great video sir!
Going Off Grid thats how we do it in Scandinavia as well
you know what they say about great minds :D
Going Off Grid that is what I was thinking of doing, good idea
Longer lasting tip when put back in the toolbox.
One of the "long" sides, or one of the "short" sides? :)
Hi, Keep up the good work!
I have another explanation for why the pencil is that particular size.
Carpenter pencils, along with dimensional Lumber have suffered from the industry trying to make a buck. Rough cut 2x4s used to be 2"x4". Now they are 1 1/2x3 1/2. Same for the pencil. Originally they were 5/8" wide x 3/8" thick. Diagonally, chamfer to chamfer they measured 1/2". The reason for this is that they were used as a gauge before tape measures existed. Folding rules were used for long measurements. But that handy pencil (especially in pairs) was a quick way to space items equally. Like two under a window frame.
I don't know everything, but I got paid to make little ones out of big ones for almost 40 years.
Nice video. Brought back memories of helping my father with his woodworking when I was just a little girl he was injured in WW11 and did not have the use of his left arm, so I would sometimes help him and I remember watching him sharpen his carpenter pencil with his ever present pocketknife. He always found a way to get things done . Always loved the feel and smell of fresh cut wood.
I tired this technique earlier and impressed my father inlaw who is a cabinet maker and general contractor was impressed I learned this trick off you when he was teaching to use a speed square and a miter saw. Thank you wranglerstar!
I am a carpenter apprentice because of you, and as i see, im still learning from you.
As you grow older you will realise that you will learn from someone every day. That is why you have two EARS and ONE mouth. Good luck
Pete Davis Thank you, yeah im looking forward to learn everything i can.
Other benefits of a flat pencil are: easier to sit on if its in your back pocket, fits in a binder better, and the kids are less likely to steal it for school ;D
they don't steal it cos they cant sharpen it with a normal sharpener or what?
that, and the other kids would give them funny looks using it in school ;D (teens ya know!)
WIN!
i agree, it does make it better in the pocket. any other things you find better about this pencil?
WTFarm Girl the kids are less likely to steal it is right..kkkk little sticky fingers, look in the bookbag if you need a pencil dad, why you upset?? In the bookbag are thirty and some broken pieces lmao..best fun ever having kids
so they won't roll off. they can also be used as a temporary spacer since their measurement is 1/4 X 1/2.
Josar Gor I hadn't thought of that!! Thanks!!
Josar Gor Yep, I always use them as sill shims when setting windows.
Yes, I was taught that too, they make a prefect fast spacer when laying 2x6 decks.
I am loving the new video titles! It's helpful when searching your videos.
Yes right on.
Awesome Pencil Trick Almost Died
Exactly!
Big heels on logging boots is for the climbing spurs.
The boot cuff is also doubled up on the sides and bottom to help foot fatigue.
Also most logging boots almost reach the knees for the legs strap to help stop raw and sore spots.
As well as being double layered up the inside to protect from splinters and accedently putting a 3 inch spur into you leg on a missed kick.
Not a logger but a electrician that was trained in power pole climbing.
Have not done it in 20 years or so so i am sure i missed something or got something wrong but that is the gist.
They work well to space 2x6 deck boards it makes a nice gap to wash all the dog fur and leafs threw. Your deck boards will last longer that way in the long run. Tip of the day
Yep, measuring 1/4 inch short side and 1/2 inch wider side.
@@ipedros7 That's misinformation because its not true. Take a tape measure to a carpenter's pencil and find out.
Why do we drive on a parkway and park on a driveway?
Darin Cooper the term was parkway came about as the freeway it “parkway” was to be a general term the way to the park. As the the freeway is to the free of stop signs etc. the drive way is the road to the house.
Why do they call them apartments when they're so close together?
An apartment broken down in context is “ A part of a building ment for a single dwelling”
how does teflon stick to the pan , i thought it was non stick ?
Why did kamikazes wear helmets?
Flat pencils ride in your hat by your temple comfortably at the miter saw bench lolol
My grandfather and father would scrub their pencils against sandpaper after they initially cut the point in that way to sharpen it as it wore down. They never cut on the pencil after the first time unless they broke the tip off completely. I never understood why until now, it kept them from undercutting the graphite and kept the wood progressing back with the point. Thank you Cody.
Thanks for the video tip! I put mine on my Work Sharp. It puts a great tip on the pencil. I've even tried it on my bench grinder. However, learning the skill of using your knife on that pencil is a valuable asset!
I'm a fairly young Carpenter but been in heritage for 15 years now and one more reason it is rectangle is for scribing along a surface for a cut line. The beveled edges makes it glide on the surface and depending on how it is sharpened you can scribe off from 1/8" right up to 1/2" to make for a nice contoured cut to a rough surface
Did you hear about the carpenter on the job that had an accident and had his ear cut off. They rushed him to the hospital and were going to sew his ear back on. The carpenter said that's not my ear, my ear had a pencil behind it
There’s a world of difference between a hard lead and soft, buy a top quality hard pencil and you’ll be sharpening a lot less
Cody, good to see you back in your powerplace, since having been stressed out with Big projects around the homestead to a pencilvideo. I enjoyed it and I’m glad you found time doing it and to focus our attention from big things to smaller. Just great
The old timers used to tell me it's so they dont roll away when you set them down. Fact is, the shape works great for scribing!
So they won’t roll off the table
Doug Haines that's what I thought
Doug Haines that’s what hexagonal pencils are for
Tankieguy Lol, They still roll
Day Of War true
Or the roof, rafter, joist, etc.
when I'm doing carpentry, I use the chisel to sharpen the pencil. It has a double use as if the hone on the chisel is dulled then the sharpen of the pencil is a good indicator before use that the chisel needs honing, sometimes the chisel may appear sharp but that fine edge that you need to get a nice cut can be dull especially if like me you only do carpentry on a ad hoc basis and even though all my tools are put away after they have been sharpened or set ready for use, it doesn't stop our boy or or the grand children using them without me knowing and dulling them up. [fact of life, if it belongs to me, then in their eyes its there for their use as well.] The second thing is you get a nice sharpened pencil to work with ; )
Another topic I have been learning about recently , I bought a collection of antique hand saws , well I was told DUE to shape and teeth configuration would determine what type it is .
It's also possible to use some hand saws to mark 45 and 90 degrees lines.
Also, when you jam it in your tool pouch in one of the pockets, the sides of the pencil bottom out before the tip does. A round pencil tip would be broken when you retrieve it most of the time. A sturdy mechanical pencil works well too, especially the three sided ones. Great video!
I actually use both, a round and a flat pencil. The flat pencil for 95% of all work. The round I use for fine work such as finish cabinetry and trim work.
old timer told me they were made to be sharpened by a chisel
I am a little late to the game but I am an electrical Lineman and as far as the heels on our boots, we use them for extra space for our climbing gaffs so they won’t contact the ground while we walk from pole to pole ( I assume the same for loggers going tree to tree) along with the bottom of our hooks having a place to be without causing missteps.
I think another reason that the graphite is square is that originally leads were made from solid graphite and the only way to separate it was to cleave it and Carpenters wanted a stronger less breakable lead so instead of square as in regular pencils they made it rectangular manufactured lead with Clay binders was developed in the early 19th century.
This is amazing as I watch a video of yours about a week ago I saw one of your pencils and wondered how you got it so sharp and how you went about sharpening it. and now here it is absolutely wonderful
In France those pencils are used by builders who make bricks and concrete buildings, our carpenters use triangular pencils as they are mostly building only the roof part of the building and work with high angles. You can also find triangular pencils with a red and a blue core used by music conductors.
I was taught when properly used, makes a perfect contour tracing when you cope a molded profile. since the center of the mark is precisely 1/8" on the long side and 1/4" on the short side, it leaves very little ambiguity or waste in your trimming.
To sharpen it, I use a chisel, works the same.
It works better...
Two sides- adjacent - short cuts.
Two sides- remaining- longer cuts.
Short sides support the point, longer sides allow for thighter/ more accurate mark.
Great video as always. I was taught that they are also flat so that they would lay flat against a straight edge and give you a cleaner line right on the marks against the straight edge.
I want to know why square or star drive screws aren't more common when the heads don't strip nearly as easily as phillips screws! :-P
Bill Bedsole Robertson Drive screws were invented by a Canadian chauvinist named Robertson . He had to die before the patent was allowed to be used in the USA.
Torx my maaaan
Some row between Henry Ford, Phillips, and Robertson -- most likely due to excessive royalties/license demands. Phillips head screws are a vast improvement over slotted screws for machine installation so they were a good bit of tech in their day.
Bill Bedsole the square named Robertson head is a Canadian Patent driver and used in all manufacturing purposes from wood screws to small machine bolts it comes in 4 different sizes 0 to 3 also coulor coted yellow green red and black in proper order. it's actually the most commonly used driver in Canada.
Oke dan gozer
I think tall heels on logging boots are for climbing gear. They keep the spikes in place when they wrap around the bottom of your boot. Also you won't be stepping on them when walking.
When you point the graphite on the pencil you let the now powdered graphite fall back into the retractable knife. This works as a great lubricant to keep your knife working really good. Also use the pencil led and rub it on combination squares and anything else that moves or slides.
No I did not know that, but as a technician the struggle is real when a socket or bolt rolls away especially when it does not land on the floor.
Rather than pushing with your thumb, take the knife in your non dominant hand, extend the arm and lock the elbow, then pull the pencil toward your body. It gives you a straight cut rather than a concave one. Also allows for better control of the twist.
Germans have recently come up with a really great version of this Cody. It's a piece of graphite wrapped in string.
I believe logger's have tall heels so that you can kick things lose, I've found them useful for kicking off heavy trailer hitches, they also aid in bracing a limb with your foot to cut it. And if walking over limbs you are probably less likely to slip, the also provide a little more arch support in my opinion, it also looks good. They can also help with climbing as many linemean will tell you. I often use the front of the heel to kick or move things, or the space between the heel and the foresole to wedge my foot onto something. Loggers feel safer to wear when logging then a regular 6 inch boot in my experience.
My grandpa was a life long carpenter he only finished 8th grade went to WW2 as a medic came back and started a business in Construction. Anyways he taught me to use a knife to sharpen a pencil I just recently learned about the sharpener for a carpenter pencil.
I would get fired if it took me that long to sharpen a pencil. lol!!
I don't believe he was going for speed but I'm sure you are happy to have made it an imaginary competition for yourself against the great Wranglerstar. Hey, you do something better than him er go you are the better all around man!
my boss says anything longer then 20 seconds is to long to sharpening your pencil and not working , yes Dr Draws its that way in most of the construction industry
Sharpen a bunch before work
My dad showed me how to sharpen them like that with a pocket knife as sharpeners weren't available for those type. Didn't know about the reason for the flat shape. A wide tip like that works for calligraphy. Which my Dad also did.
I've also used these pencils as a straight edge to connect points. Depending on the length of the pencil haha. I've been a carpenter for 16 years and only use these. Thanks for the video Cody
Even today after many , many years I always make a chisel point on a pencil when working in wood so that the pencil highlights a line scribed by a marking knife or gauge. The chisel point of the pencil will last twice as long as a rounded pencil point.
Good comments made, as well as a worthwhile explanation video.
I've been trying to prototype a pencil sharpener that does this for a loooong time! When I used to work with my grandpa I'd get annoyed at how often the super fine tips would snap off, and started always just using a knife to sharpen my pencil without even realizing why I was doing it. 3 years, an expensive 3d printer, and some expert consulting later, and I have something that almost does exactly what I want. At first it seems like an easy concept, but there are so many complex movements and pressure changes involved in getting this sort of tip on a carpenters pencil.
Scrubbing the pencil end on sandpaper removes the wood and sharpens the chisel point without stressing or weakening the graphite from an unsteady hand with a knife. (The way you used to sharpen popsicle sticks as a kid.)
Yep it’s exactly 1/4 inch on one plane and exactly 1/2 inch on the other. If you ever need that spacing on any construction materiel it works fantastically.
I just got about 6 of these flat pencils from a local "home & garden" show. I always though how did you get them sharp like a regular pencil. So, now I know. I've got a bunch of them to practice on now.
Before watching; I think so it can be used as a spacer/measuring guage.
Well I was wrong but I do use it for that.
It's also a 1/4 in. × 1/2 in. and if you lay it flat and make a mark you get an 1/8 in. Bigger mark than the work your slidding it on !! Very useful for adding a blade thickness !!
I don't know how true it is but I was told by a more senior worker...
That the pencil lead was shaped that way to show the kerf sizes of a handsaw (vertical side) & a powersaw (horizontal side) on the materials.
Mind you...this is the same fella that tried to get me to fetch a "pipe stretcher" from the toolbox ;)
I have never seen a carpenter’s pencil sharpened to a point! That looks hilarious! Also just a thought but putting a groove in your graphite would let you mark a fine line while being very visible if you use the center of the lines as your mark.
I grew up in the trades and was taught to use the razor knife method but never thought about or wondered why. Thanks.
Cant wait to hear about the logging boots! I have an idea, but i'm curious as to what you come up with. Decided to get a pair of Chippewas for work, and this first year has been wonderful!
The pencils are also perfect for measuring the spacing between boards for any outside constructions made.
I did not watch, remembered this, and just now assumed it was so they don't roll (which would be very helpful). The chicken came before the egg, and a station wagon was the vehicle to take down to a supply station.
So they don’t roll away
wow. i had a dad who worked construction all his life and grandfather too who showed him everything and never did i ever ask nor did he offer to tell me this simple but interesting fact about flat pencils. that little tidbit of trivia just made me realize that sorry to confess that awkward detail but man its little stuff like that that makes me so upset i never learned as much as i could have from them
I view your videos as a way to relax and for enjoyment. I like the casual and informative approach. 7:43 is appropriate for this as you are talking and giving much more information and enjoyment. Just my opinion, others seem to vary.
The double line is for cutting in between the 2 gaped lines and you can be a left handed or right handed cutting it and still be on the right spot .
Let's see how many get this... The boots have heels to go with the stockings, suspenders and frilly underwear. :-)
ua-cam.com/video/sZa26_esLBE/v-deo.html
He's a lumberjack and he's okay, he sleeps all night and he works all day...
Greg + He also puts on women's clothing and hangs around in bars!
Probably wishes he was a girly, just like his dear papa? [All together now] He's a lumberjack and he's okay...
Perfect deck board spacing and most importantly you can make a fat line and then remeasure and find out exactly where to cut. Left, right or center of the line. Something you cant do as easily with a regular pencil. You know that saying measure twice cut once well the first measurement you mark the piece and then once its marked you can then accurately cut left right or center. Two of the most important uses for this pencil not mentioned.
I had always "assumed" it was just a much stronger more durable pencil so it is better able to stand up to marking wood instead of paper like it's less stout cousin (the school pencil). The not rolling away makes sense too though.
When sharpening do like you said, but the narrow side first. It doesn't take as much force. I like your videos
It's also a standard width so that the line the pencil makes is 1/8" away from the edge of the pencil so you can offset your straight edge by 1/8" when drawing a line and the width of the pencil is 1/4" for standard measuring purposes.
You didn’t show the way we use them, but it’s all preference, and there are many ways to use them. I like the Dixon carpenters pencils, because the wood is soft and the lead is hard, so it’s easy to sharpen
Wow! I've been around for 65 years and you never stop learning something new. Makes perfect sense.
Thank you so much! I have wondered that for years!!
I never knew they had a sharpener either so I learned a lot today.
Thank you.
Started my joinery apprenticeship in 1967 UK. I went to work armed with my carpenter's pencil. When my boss saw it he took it off me placed it on the bench took an axe and chopped it into pieces. He said you cannot work accurately with that it would be like trying to draw with a poker. Never used one since.......
as a carpenter of 20 plus years I was quite surprised to see this video, the pencils are flat to enable marking lines on rough material no other pencil does this better and as a benefit yah they wont role off the table lol , also use as a quarter inch spacer they work well for that too , the flat design also helps sit secure in a tool pouch pocket , out of all the reasons I say they are designed to mark lines across construction materials where all other pencils would break or wear out quickly . I have used many different types and versions of these pencils and the tried and true best is the disposable wood carpenters pencil , only reason to change pencils is if your building cabinetry or furniture ect and want a very accurate line then I switch to a stadler 0.7 mm mechanical pencil
Logging boots have the big hell on them for the same reason that electrical linemen have big heels on their boots. It has something to do with climbing poles or tree with climbing gaffs and spikes.
I find that a scrap of 120 sandpaper is really handy for finish shaping the graphite.
Used that auto sharpener once and threw it out...kept breaking the tip and the pencils didn't last nearly as long. Good video Cody!
Just a quick photo tip, looks like your camera was auto-exposing for the dark table leaving the subject slightly over-exposed. It's no big deal the pencils weren't totally blown out, but a slight exposure adjustment, maybe lowering the iso or closing the aperture a bit would be a benefit as you should be exposing for the main subject. Great video though I can't wait to quiz someone on why the pencil isn't round!
Great video man, looking forward to the series
Can use as a shim 1/4 and 1/2. Easier to scribe with. I personally like a really sharp pencil so I use a round one. Have a pencil sharpener mounted in the van and you are by it several times a day
How about the history of why west coast people primarily use worm drive circular saws and east coast people primarily use sidewinders.
So if you are framing a second-story and you set it down it won't roll off
My grandfather, who was a carpenter since before the WWII always sharpened these to an "U" shape.
in a pinch, instead of a compass to scribe a line you can use the pencil on the the flat side and scribe a line 1/4" to the point and use the narrow edge to scribe a 1/2" line to the point. This can all be finely tuned by the way sharpen the point.
I could also see cutting the v-groove in the graphite would be good for pattern making. Two lines, one for the actual part shape, the outer line as the preliminary cut line on say a bandsaw. Now I need to try this, I am so used to using mechanical 9mm pencils.
I heard the reason why logging boots had to thick heel is because of the spikes they would put on to climb the tree it would help Cushing the your heel of your feet
As a master carpenter I knew why they were flat but had to click and watch
I think I'm becoming codependent on Wranglerstar videos. Is their a support group ?
I plan one side the the pencil so that I can rest the planed surface on a board and transfer the line to another. Helps for modeling work and dove tails. Never measure if you can help it.
I’ve always been told to sharpen the “the correct way”. Honestly never knew there was a special sharpener for it until watching this video.
What I would use the double line v groove for is to make two lines to show an area to cut in between.
Very fascinating! In the back of my mind I was always wondering why they were flat but never actually used one so I just left it as one of those mysteries. Appreciate the research. I didn't know about the little sharpener that someone invented so I was also kind of stumped about sharpening. I just thought you would do like you showed, carve it. Because I seem to be getting more motivated to do things in my shop lately I just might have a need for one of those.
Also when sliding the pencil along a surface on "the Flat" you can instantly scribe an 1/8" offset line on a material set 90 degrees, on "the edge" scribe line 1/4" (BTW only a yutz puts a round point on a flat pencil)
My dad used to draw a double line when using a circular saw to ascertain blade curf.
Another question about logging boots . . . why do they have that leather flap where the laces meet the crown of the lower part of the boot?
Hey wranglerstar, I'm in Argentina visiting my family and I found my (deceased) abuelo's hatchet. Could I send you the head to restore? This hatchet is a family keepsake and I can't find any competent ax restorers in my area in California.
Logging boots have the big heel for securing a set of climbing spikes when a logger was going to climb and top a tree
What about the history of the CLAW HAMMER I have a few old ones and more modern and same shape over all but all a bit different, just an idea
Sand paper will get you a fine point real quick and easy for when you want to make a precise market
Again, informative and a fun video. You just keep getting better and better.
You should start a weekly Wranglerstar Trivia contest. Winner gets a pencil!
Logger boots, the heal is for stopping logs that are rolling. He needs to stop it, to stop the roll with his heels. They are built as brake shoes
Well now i finally know, thanks cody! This topic on the reason of the shape of things can be really interesting. A good one could be about squares, I know that you have a lot of videos where you talk abot them but a video with all those tips in one could be really neat!