The pencil “lead” is actually a mixture of graphite and clay. More clay in the mixture makes the lead harder. A harder lead has a higher number. Pencils are numbered from 1-3 but most people use a ...

The whole point of a mechanical pencil is to have perfect sharpness forever. Yet without precise engineering and build quality, the standard slender leads are doomed to constant breakages. This ...

No.2 pencils are widely used, but you may not know what the number actually refers to. This video explains how pencils developed into their modern form and the significance of the labeled numbers.

"Pencil" is derived from the Latin word "penis" meaning "tail", because Roman writing brushes were made from tufts of fur from an animal's tail. "Lead pencils" achieve the same effect without ...

Try to make a wedge shape in the lead, rather than a sharp point. When using the pencil to try and mark accurate measurements with your tape measure, the wedge shape makes it easier to be precise.