How to Sharpen a Carpenter's Pencil 

Haha 12 minutes on how to sharpen a pencil! Love the LONNNGG videos!

12 minutes of sharpening a pencil and I am not bored in the least and left in awe. This gentleman is amazing.

12 minutes to teach how to sharpen a pencil lead. Right. I had to watch this just to see what nonsense was being spewed out on RU-vid. To my surprise, the video was concise and informative. Thank you for taking the time to make this video.

You sir, are the sharpest pencil in the box.

71yrs old and still learning thanks to your truly informative video. Many moons ago(whole lot of many's) I showed up on my first job with two regular pencils in my tool pouch. The old fellow, younger than me now, that I was learning from said to me "Boy, git rid of them pencils. We're here to work, not write. We ain't got no pencil sharpeners round here and we ain't got the time for you to be picking them up off the ground every time you lay one down." Then he gave me one stubby carpenters pencil. I've been using only them every since. Sharpened them with my pocket knife....never thought of a utility knife till about 10 years ago. My method is a bit different than your's but I'm gonna try your method because it looks like you come up with a better,. stronger point than I do. I really appreciate your video. Learned something from it that I definitely going to try. Thanks for your time and information . It was great.

They also don't roll away while working on a slanted surface.

Who would have known there were so many different ways to sharpen a pencil. Thank you so very much for showing me this. I'm kind of a "medium shade tree" carpenter/wood worker. I'm a 64 year old woman who finds making and building things very satisfying. I lost my husband 4 years back and took up doing odd things in my shed. I'm certainly far from being really good but I keep trying. Anyway, I've learned so much by watching You Tube. I thank you and all the other crafters that produce these videos a huge THANK YOU!!!

As an engineering apprentice, one of the first things they drummed into us was sharpening pencils for technical drawing (chisel tip etc) but it never occurred to me when I do my woordworking, thanks for the reminder!

Thanks for the clear demonstration and explanation of the 4 sharpening methods. I still wish there were electric or hand-mechanical carpenter sharpeners to make the sharpening go faster. Your methods are good to know if you only have a sharp knife, which is a big positive.

I've been using carpenters pencils for years and not once have I had to sharpen one, until I just purchased a pack of them and need to use one. Thanks for showing detailed instructions and different methods of sharpening these.

Things I never thought about Re: a simple carpenters pencil. You taught me something else today. Thanks so much, Matt!

Best carpenter's pencil instructions of any on the web! Job well done.

Thank You for making a clear, concise and illustrative video. I wish other 'how to' video makers would watch yours and see how it should be done. Thank You!!

Truly wonderful. The level of detail orientation you bring to everything is delightful to me. If only some of the electrical engineers I worked with shared a similar attention to detail....

Just wanted to thank you for being so thorough & I took it all in and learned something new.. I will now go sharpen my ✏️

When I took drafting in HS, we had little wooden paddles, with about 10 sheets of fine sandpaper stapled to them, to sharpen our pencils to a needle point. I never forgot that and have used sandpaper ever since to make my pencils very sharp. Also, father was a professional photographer. He shot portraits on sheet film. To repair blemishes, he would pile up graphite on them. He bought long leads and sharpened them too by rubbing them on sandpaper. It is amazing the trivia you remember from more than 50 years ago.

I appreciate going into the why instead of just showing how to sharpen a pencil, which would probably take several seconds. I particularly liked the 4th use case. With the information you provided, I know that I will probably move to carpenter's pencils for good for the purposes of woodworking, and maybe something else.

I really like how this video gets straight to the point Seriously I've done an entire house refurb using round pencils. Decided to see if carpenters pencils could truly make things more accurate and this vid confirms undeniably. Got some shuttering to make for a concrete base this weekend so I'll be trying out my new found education for some nice accurate cuts

Thank you Im an electrician and I have always put bare minimum effort into sharpening them definitely going to use these tips from here on out! Thank you!

Made sharpening look very quick and easy. Thanks.

I love your video and lessons. It takes me home to working with my grandfather. Then later in life a master carpenter. One thing not mentioned is lead hardness. My master craftsman friend preferred a 4H pencil from an artist supply. It may give a fine line for furniture one~offs he was known allowing for his marks to disappear easily.

Matt: Yup. Although I'm a carpenter by trade, I'm a concrete contractor by profession. But my true passion is woodworking. In the concrete trade, what we accomplish is accomplished through brute force. Woodworking is most often the polar opposite. Tenderness, timing, technique and patience. It's one of the many reasons I'm drawn to it. It is my refuge and my therapy. Love your clear, concise instruction. There is such a vast difference between "knowing something" and being able to impart that wisdom to others. You have a teacher's gift. Thanks for sharing.

Excellent video. Love all the detail you go into.

I have run into situations where scribing was an issue and never thought about flattering the pencil down to the lead on an angle. Awesome video and thanks for sharing!!

I think this has been the most useful and informative 12 minutes I've ever had on RU-vid. I had never been shown how to sharpen a carpenter's pencil before and had no idea there were different ways to sharpen it for different uses! I've got one next to me sharpened to a classic point, which I've picked up by trial and error. The technique for scribing uneven surfaces is just what I need - I've got to do some boxing in on some pretty uneven walls and had no idea how to cut the sheet material for a snug fit. Now I do, so thank you! A couple of tips that I picked up from another RU-vidr on carpenter's pencils: - They're flat so they don't roll away like normal pencils. - You can use them as spacers, 1/4" one way and 1/2" the other.

The projected point is really an eye opener. Thank you!

Thanks for this, Matt. For over 30 yrs the carpenters pencil has been my No.1 tool for marking on construction materials and I am so glad that I haven't become so smug that I couldn't gain an extra wrinkle in the grey matter with your demonstration. The "projected point" example you use for flush scribes over a wide gap is one that I wonder how I never thought of that before! Obviously you'd want to dedicate a pencil specifically for that task but since lumberyards are still giving away these pencils, why not? Also good to note is that by modifying your "classic" slightly by cutting an angle not quite as extreme as the "offset scribe" you can still make a reliable edge for many consistent lines but by flipping the pencil over in your hand can also write legible notes in a notebook with the pointed end. Thanks again!

This is wonderful information that I can use. I just discovered three, unsharpened carpenter's pencils after cleaning out my garage/shop (it really needed it!).

Exquisite explanation and demonstrations. Thank you.

Wow! I never thought 12 minutes of pencil sharpening would be so informative. Thanks!

Phenomenal. That last one was over the top

Wow, I never knew a carpenters pencil was so versatile! I always saw them simply as pencils with fat lead that made it sturdier than a traditional one. Thanks for sharing this knowledge!

Blown away by your pencil sharpening skills. Learned a lot. I'm a cabinet maker/furniture maker by trade and have rarely used a #2 round lead pencil because you have to stop and sharpen them too often. I've mostly used the cheap fine point Bic black pens. Fine lines with no sharpening required. The only tip I might add to your carpenter pencil sharpening video is while your at it, sharpen both ends.

Started wood working a long time ago, but I still have a lot to learn. To be honest, I never knew how to sharpen carpenter's pencils until now. I use a box cutter knife like you but I wasn't getting as good an end as you are. After viewing your video, I think I have a better idea how to sharpen carpenters pencils properly. Thank you so much!

Each time I view Next Level Carpentry, I learn something new! The art of sharpening a carpenters pencil! Semper Fi

Thanks for tips,, I am not a full fledged carpenter , but a remodeler. I have used pencils as a scribe tool but never thought about the variations that u can use. Thanks again

Your content is the best. Buying DUNGAREE SUSPENDER (the button kind) at the carhartt outlet store found I found they will send you out with all you want like a box full just to get traffic through the door Plus other lumber locations Carpenter's Pencils are free to those in the trades at the service desk. One more reason to uses one.

Thanx for the how to video, I learned a lot. I was never good at doing this before, now I've gotten much better.

above and beyond. I took pencil sharpening for granted until I wasted half the pencil by continually breaking the lead by whittling "freehand" (not supporting with my thumb). It was harder than I thought it would be. I didn't realize there were so many variations and applications. Thanks for the post.

I just saw these for the first time ever at the hardware store and the first thing I wondered was how would a sharpener for these look. Great video!

Never knew I needed this but here I am. Thanks for the video

Fantastic video!

Gosh while watching this. I was thinking here, I am almost 71 yrs old and learning for the first time how to properly sharpen the many carpenter pencils I have bought over the years, but always ended up using a round pencil because of the easiness of sharpening. Thank you for a great video.

Another great video! It may seem like sharpening a pencil is an unnecessary video, but these are the kind of practical videos that can make our lives so much easier and more accurate! Keep up the great work!

Really appreciate this lesson. Thanks.

Great stuff....off-set point......awesome tip Matt. Keep these great videos coming.

Always something to learn. Thanks

Surprisingly a well done video, good work and even better, great tips 👍

You are my Hero and I like the way you make it Pretty. Excellent video and process. Thanks for sharing.

What a great video. Thank you so much for these awesome tips.

Well, nuts. I've been, trying, to make the points pointed when I would sharpen a carpenter's pencil. No wonder why I hate using them. Thanks Matt! I'll use your method going forward. 👍👍

52 people are mad they didnt know how to use a pencil. Thanks for sharing. Those were all great tips. I am going to put these up there with DiResta's tips ;-)

I've been doing carpentry for years and and as stupid as I may sound, this was a great tutorial! Have always avoided these pencils because I didn't know how to sharpen them correctly. Thank you!

Your long flat surface is a great idea. wood patternmakers years ago used a short piece of wood with the same idea with a wood screw in place of the lead sharpened to the same type point HG

....and there was me thinking it was just about a pencil, what could be interesting about that? Well well...

Holy Jesus! A 12+ minute video on nothing but sharpening a pencil?! I've got to see this! Edit: Well...Now that I saw it I can't believe I never saw it myself but...the last one (scribing the 2×4 into the crown moulding...lol) I just learned. Helps get me a much more accurate placement when scribing my seat cuts on common rafters. Thanks!

How to sharpen a pencil ha ha ! Have been woodworking now for about 4 yrs. I'm 69 and have "sharpening" pencils since i was about 5 ! Yep you're never too old to learn. Absolutely brilliant thanks. Marking out has now become more important to me, so this vid is really helpful to me....Thanks again. Subbed

Good video. Just a suggestion. Some "noobs" may not realize how you're holding and handing the pencil and the knife. You are gaining control and precision by holding the knife in your "dexterous" hand, bracing the pencil in your left, BUT and importantly here, you're using your left thumb for important leverage, force and precision. That's apparent to me (field project engineer) and a perfect way to get the job done AND done safely. But noobs may not realize that. But really, great video

learned how to scribe as a bonus - great vid

WOW, never thought I would find a video on pencil sharpening, but thank you, now I need to implement your lessons. Mine always look like a hack job (lol)

I was wondering how he would do over 12 minutes on sharpening a freakin' pencil. Now, I know. Excellent pointers and tips (sorry, I couldn't resist) on why this pencil is so versatile. It's a great idea to have multiple pencils in your tool bag, each sharpened differently than the other, to tackle the most basic, but essential, variable, tasks. Simply the best.

Matt...I'm sorry to admit that I passed over this Video many times. I mean 12 minuets to sharpen a Pencil!?!? Then I got to thinking...Clicked the Play Button. Impressive to say the least! Especially the last method...I've struggled for years with Marking Irregular Surfaces with a Carpenters Pencil. My solution is the OLFA Knife :) For Regular Marking I use mostly a Utility Knife nowadays...a little more Accurate and doesn't need Sharpening :) Don't get me wrong...my Bag is still full of Carpenters Pencils. Only now I know how to Sharpen the Dang Things!...Four different ways... LoL! Great Video Matt...you certainly did Teach this Old Dog some New Tricks...Thank You!

oh the beauty of the small daily details. 0i use an olfa knife but save a sweet spot for essentially the same edge. I like your style my friend.

Very helpful, thanks.

Good points, when I first started carpentry as an adult student, I always had difficulty sharpening my pencil, and it would become blunt so quickly.

Pencil day today - reached the point when just using any pencil won't work! Getting a batch of Carpenters pencils. Next issue how to sharpen them properly - searched for a NLC tutorial - thanks. When tracing a line on to wood over an uneven surface I also angle the pencil tip slightly backward which allows the pencil to "ignore" the grouting but also follow the contours because it is supported by the tiles either side. Of course a hand saw ignores small deviations as well so perhaps it's not completely necessary - but it looks prettier!

Great tips. I was taught to sharpen a carpenters pencil by using a stubby chisel. Hold the pencil with your thumb in line with the pencil. Using your thumbnail as a guide, slide the chisel down the nail. It makes forming a chisel point on the pencil easier.

Very informative, thank you very much

A long time ago I worked for a Estonian carpenter who was very frugal and didn't want to throw out a pencil when it got too short. So he cut a short piece of garden hose, inserted the short pencil in one end and his new pencil in the other end. That way he could use the shortie right down to the very end. And he had a double ended pencil to boot.

Thanks a lot for this! I always just, you know, sharpened it. Hacking at it until it marked.😆 I didn't know all these uses

Excellent content; thanks for sharing these tips. Best wishes

So I watched this video about a month ago I guess and I've been sharpening my pencil like this since then. I've only had to sharpen it twice and only because I snapped the lead off while it was in my pocket. This is the best method I've ever tried, I honestly don't see how it can be improved. Especially if you do a lot of scribing or straight edge marking, when you tilt the pencil and run the lead in the corner against the edge you are marking the lead continuously sharpens itself. I showed it to my boss who is 42 years my senior and he was impressed. My biggest suggestion is buy the best pencil you can find, not all lead is created equal and with an advanced sharpening technique like this you won't be wasting a good pencil by any means, instead you will be making it last ten times longer than a cheap pencil sharpened half as well.

Well... I was always told the round pencil would roll off your projects. The flat pencil cannot roll. Lol good info

Never knew this was such a serious topic!

Awesome video! Best viewed at 1.75x speed - saves a ton of time.

I am a design draftsman that learned my trade on a table with a pencil and paper. I can draw thin lines with a round pencil all day by spinning the pencil as you draw it along the straight edge! But I use a carpenter's pencil in the shop!!

This was really interesting and useful

Great video. Very helpful and detailed on explaining the differences. Keep it up! Thus kind of videos earns a subscriber. ☺️

It's great that you kept the video concise and...to the point :) Excellent presentation - like many others here, I never thought I'd enjoy watching a 12 minute video on how to sharpen a pencil...up to this point I've always used classic rounds...perhaps I'm due for a change. As a request, could you do a video offering any tips you might have on cutting well with a worm-drive circular saw - or a sidewinder? - In my grossly limited experience - being only 34 and a professional chemist, not a carpenter - unless I spend 3min clamping a straight-edge piece of wood into place as a guide, any cutting I do will be so ridiculously wavy that it'll require a good 10-15min of rework with a hand plane - in the end, if I want a clean straight line (not having a table saw), I'm better off using a handsaw. As always, thanks so much for sharing your expertise!

Great video!

You are Amazing MATT

This was really cool! Thanks.

Great tips! Never to smart to learn from a pro.

A tip of the hat to your tips on making the tips Matt. Now we need to spray paint some of the tips so they're different colors for each style tip. If you don't mind my tip. About the tips.

Had no idea so many ways to sharpen a pencil. Thanks for sharing. From mechanical drafting, the round pencil should be rotated as you draw keeping an even line. Ever tried the Japanese method? They sharpen a bamboo stick, dip it in black ink then go like hell with it. I like your presentation on making the cabinet doors and I needed to do a few for the kitchen. My woodworking skills not very good but I'm getting better at hiding my mistakes.

Very helpful. (And smart). Thanks!

What a great video, thanks for sharing these sharpening tips. I think these pencil can have a place in a woodworking shop as well. Music was good to. Just subscribed.

Great Job

Awesome dude

Matt...I like the OLFA mostly because its Slim and its Stainless Steel. If I lean against something I know its not going to Break leaving a nasty/dangerous Razor Blade in my Pocket! It works great as a Scraper too! Run the Blade all the way out as it's Flexible and it Lays Flat against the Work...remove Glue, Peeling Paint, etc. The Auto Locking feature adds Peace of Mind and Works Effortlessly :) However...I will be implementing all 4 of your Tricks/Methods for Sharpening Carpenters Pencils from now on...after all it is an Indispensable Tool on every Woodworkers Projects!

Excellent video Matt. While watching it I started wondering if you have a refined method for scribing things that sit at a 90° angle and have a transition of over an inch. For example I had to tile next to a tub that had a large rounded bump out on the bottom of the face and I just used a dowel and pencil to scribe with. It was sloppy and certainly took more attempts than I would have liked, can you show or explain how you do it because I have noticed your methods seem well thought out.

Great video! Thanks for sharing! You know a person would not think such as sharpening any pencil much less a Carpenters pencil that there is a right way to do it but as in anything there is a right and wrong way to do it no matter how simple a task it is! I was never a Carpenter but through the years I always had a carpenter's pencil cuz ever since I was a kid, about 70 couple years ago, I just thought they were the neatest thing. But then every time I would sharpen one, it looked like a 2x4 sharpened with a machete. A quick side story, when I was about 7 years old my Pop used to take me to the lumber yard and he would get a few pieces of lumber and he would let me go through the scrap pile and I'd take me some pieces home and I'd make me something out of them. Oh yeah, that's the best part of going to those lumber yards were the smell of them pine boards being cut! But my biggest thing going to the lumber yard was keeping my eyes on the ground just looking for a real Carpenters pencil probably owned by a real Carpenter! Sometimes I would find one and it would be sharpened down to about 4 in long but when I found that thing it may as well have been Christmas! I'd stick that thing in my pocket and go home proud as punch. Okay enough of this rambling on I'm sure you all didn't look at the comments to hear me but I did really enjoy this video 12 minutes long how to sharpen Carpenter's pencils the right way is a worthwhile video and I enjoyed it and now we'll go out to the building I will get my sharp pocket knife out of my pocket and I will proceed to sharpen my pencil like it should be!

Now I want to see you make whatever you had in mind when you scribed the 2x6 onto the moulding.

I sometimes use 120 grit sandpaper on my random orbital sander to get a sharp point.

Matt.. You can't get this kind of info from your videos anywhere else...but from NLC!...PERIOD! UTB.. Ed👍😉

And I always thought blunt pencils were pointless. Thanks for the tips!

Informative and interesting video . and old Bram came away having learnt something new :) thanks for sharing Cheers Bram.

Hey Matt. It's funny. This video is the first video of yours that I saw.It's also the one that led to my subscription. Since then I've learned a lot and never been disappointed. I couldn't find the one with the strap clamps that you demoed. I previously made little culls with a 45 degree notch to accommodate clamps. but after that video I remembered that I had a similar strap clamp. I dug it out and used it for a small mitered 1/2 box for a toilet paper dispenser that I incorporated into a vanity. It's called the VAS-23+2k made by BESSEY you can get them on line or even find them at the larger Home Depots there around 30.00 a pr and pretty impressive I know that you already have some clamps but at that price the'r worth looking into. All the best to you and God bless. Can't wait till the next installment.

Nice! The only useful thing I learned in college was in a drafting class and that was to rotate my pencil as I drew a line and let the paper keep the point sharp. Those were pre-CAD days...

The most simplest things in life are met with joy! Semper Fi