The “lead” pencils we most often write with today are made side by side, as many as nine at a time. In the pencil factory, a substance called powdered graphite is mixed with water and clay to form the “leads.”
The pieces are baked in an oven until they are hard. The pencil leadsare inserted into grooves on a little slat of wood and another slat is glued on top, making a sort of pencil sandwich. Machines then divide the sandwich into pencils.
Individual pieces cut from the sandwich are ready for further processing. Any pencils with defects, such as un-centered leads or chipped wood, are discarded at this point. Afterwards, the individual pieces are sanded and painted.
After painting, some are wrapped in decorative film or foils with fancy designs; although, most pencils are imprinted with the brand name by stamping the foil into the surface of the pencil.
Finally on a “tipping” machine, an eraser and a ferrule (the metal ring that holds the eraser to the pencil) are crimped into place on each pencil.
Are any real wood pencils made in the USA? U.S.A. Gold is truly the gold standard in #2 HB pencils. With a 55 year history. These are domestically produced in Lewisburg, Tennessee out of sustained yield, California incense cedar wood.
This wonderful detail takes us through every step of how pencils get made today, from mixing pigments to testing quality to woodwork, painting, and packaging.
Content for this question contributed by Ben Saylia, resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
