So they don't roll off the bench and bounce off your boot to the very back where you never see them again.
Also easier to create a flat side to run against work for accurate lines.

 

Probably so they don't roll around in your hand while ur using it. I'd personally prefer they make the lead a little harder to break. I use a pen anymore because I can't hardly sharpen the pencils with breaking the lead a few times

 

You can sharpen them easily with a chisel for one thing, but you can also shape the point to produce a thin line that will last longer than a round point.

 

So they don t roll off the bench and bounce off your boot to the very back where you never see them again.
Also easier to create a flat side to run against work for accurate lines.

- RobbieB

Humorous 1st sentence & I agree with the 2nd.

 

They're made to stand-up to the riggers and abuse of a "Framing Carpenter".

 

The graphite on a carpenters pencil is shaped into a "blade" rather than a point which lasts longer, between sharpenings. The blade shaped graphite is also stronger in the direction it is used so it is less likely to break when being drawn over rough wood.

 

If I were to make an uneducated guess, I would say that the size and shape are designed to withstand a lot more abuse than a regular round pencil - not to mention they are much easier to sharpen with a razor knife than a round pencil.

 

reason
#1- so they dont roll
#2 - lead does not break (if sharpened correctly)
#3- can be any color beside yellow LOL :<))

 

I've always heard that if you are scribing something to a wall, you can put the flat side to the wall and you will take off an 1/8". Put the thin side to the wall and you will take off a 1/4". I've used it plenty of times scribing a countertop to a wall.

 

Thanks for all the replies , very interesting.

 

Amazing what you find digging around,

So What the correct answer, all have practical purposes.
A question I would ask is how they drill the rectangular hole to get the lead in!!
Maybe a very small Hollow Chisel Morticer!
And finally why cant you have yellow?

 

And finally why cant you have yellow?

- robscastle

What makes you say that?

 

https://www.facebook.com/SeeJaneDrill/videos/why-is-a-carpenters-pencil-flat-and-other-stuff/2041899652697328/

Doesn't answer how they are made, but does go over why and I think one of her pencils is yellow.

 

For inquiring minds

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=why+is+a+carpenter+pencil+flat

 

So I was kind of curious and went down the search rat hole and mostly duplicated the previous answers but had to share.

Purports to be the oldest known pencil in existence.
http://www.pencilpages.com/gallery/oldest.htm

Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpenter_pencil
Carpenter pencils are also used by builders, because they are suitable for marking on rough surfaces, such as concrete or stone. This shape and lead density aid in marking legible lines with a straight edge that are clear and easy to follow with a saw blade.

I have a vague memory of a Roy Underhill show where he showed some machines and how these were made 150ish years ago…. Can't find the episode.

This weird post
https://www.popularwoodworking.com/woodworking-blogs/half-pencil-layout-friend/

This site has the most I've found
https://everipedia.org/wiki/lang_en/Carpenter_pencil/
The flat pencil is one of the oldest pencil types. The first versions were made by hollowing out sticks of juniper wood. A superior technique was discovered: two wooden halves were carved with a groove running down them, a plumbago stick placed in one of the grooves, and the two halves then glued together-essentially the same method in use to this day.

 

I recently visited a pencil factory in Portugal - the pencils are made from two halves routed out (by the dozen on each pass) then the lead (a mix of graphite and clay) is extruded and pressed in, then the halves are joined with glue (also in batches) then they're painted and printed with the makers name and the hardness rating (for normal pencils - I think carpenters ones are straight HB) then they're boxed ready for shipping.

Amazing what you find digging around,

So What the correct answer, all have practical purposes.
A question I would ask is how they drill the rectangular hole to get the lead in!!
Maybe a very small Hollow Chisel Morticer!
And finally why cant you have yellow?

- robscastle

 

Lead smead, it's just so they can advertise on the side.

 

Yo! Now check all that good info out!,
I need to check with the WW Master GRBHunter as I think he may have been refering to the lead colour (correct spelling BTW) being yellow as I also have yellow pencils .

In fact A1Jim may have a rouer or ten but I tipping I have more pencils than him!!

Ive got Blue ones red ones green ones and of course a "couple" of yellow ones.

Not to be missed some oval ones as well !

I must say the humble pencil sure has some very interesting background history, I only hope it filters back to HK!

Also I just noticed My post should have read "So what's the correct answer", not what looks to be a flippant answer "So What"

For all those whom believe the pencil is mightier that the sword (saw) you have all done very well!

 

Im still getting through all the links,
Its not viral yet, but its getting there.

 

This site has the most I ve found
https://everipedia.org/wiki/lang_en/Carpenter_pencil/
The flat pencil is one of the oldest pencil types. The first versions were made by hollowing out sticks of juniper wood. A superior technique was discovered: two wooden halves were carved with a groove running down them, a plumbago stick placed in one of the grooves, and the two halves then glued together-essentially the same method in use to this day.

- sepeck

Cheers , Id say your in front with this link,

 

Lead smead, it s just so they can advertise on the side.

- jbay

Classic, I love it. Cynical but probably true.

 

As for that "sharpener" they sell…...don't bother. DAMHIKT…

It will sharpen them….into a point. and not a good one, either.

 

After sharpening with a knife or chisel, I run the lead on some sand paper to get a fine point.