Graphite Pencils
The graphite pencil is used for much more than schoolwork. It is suitable for almost every task, from heavy note-taking to illustrating and sketching, to name a few. This makes it the go-to implement for artists, carpenters, illustrators and more.
What exactly is the wooden graphite pencil?
The first wooden pencil dates back over 5,000 years. It’s believed that in the 1600s, an English woodworker experimented with placing black lead into two pieces of wood. A wooden stick was cut in half. A groove was cut into one half to encase black lead inside. These pieces were glued together, creating the first wooden pencil.
Introducing the eraser
Seeking a way to remove mistakes, an English minister noticed how tree resin (i.e. natural rubber) could erase graphite marks. In 1858, an American stationer glued a small eraser to the end of his pencil. This design feature remains to this day. The key change, though, is the material. Rather than resin, modern erasers are made of vinyl. To find the optimum eraser for your needs, browse our range today.
Keeping your graphite pencil sharp
For many years, people would keep their pencils sharp by using a knife. However, whittling the wood away was time-consuming and inexact. That is, until 1828, when the first pencil sharpener was patented. At Bunbougu, we have a wide selection of pencil sharpeners in many styles and sizes. These suit all coloured pencils and graphite pencils.
Benefits of wooden pencils
With many writing tools available, wooden pencils are still a firm favourite, because they:
- Are easy to use. This makes them popular for students, workers and artists
- Can be used for many different applications (i.e. writing, drawing, drafting, sketching, etc), and;
- Come in a variety of styles, sizes and lead grades
- Mistakes can be easily removed with erasers
Rediscover the joy of writing by hand with our wide array of classic and Japanese wooden pencils.
