Time to get the lead out

Left to Right…Staedtler Mars Lumograph, Rotring 800, Caran’ache, e+m

The bigger the pencil, the smaller the name

We have spoken before in the blog about lead pencils actually being graphite, but lead is the word I will use today. It will just be easier, as things are about to get a bit complex. The nomenclature of pencils is important, yet confusing. The classic wood case pencil is easy and straightforward. What about the next one? So it is a mechanical pencil, but aren’t all of the last three in that same category? Mechanical or drafting pencils generally have a fine lead (<1mm) and produce a tightly controlled self propelled protrusion of the tip. In the past they were also referred to as self propelling pencils. They usually have knock (button) system to reveal and retract the lead. The next two could be called clutch pencils as the movement of the gripped lead requires the employment of gravity. They also usually require some form of sharpening. Some purists would describe the third pencil as a stick pencil and reserve the term clutch for the last. Other purists would refer to the third as a clutch pencil and the fourth as a lead holder. Why is all this important? Well if you listen to pen and pencil podcasts, you can’t see the writing tools being reviewed, so names, descriptions and meanings can get very tricky. #isthatapencilinyourhand #letsmakelemonade