Pluggers by Rick McKee for July 30, 2023

If I remember correctly, the numerical designation has to do with the relative softness of the graphite “lead”. I think the number goes up with the hardness.

because it’s the same color as number two, if you know what i mean…

Just for the heck of it, I order a box of no 1 pencils once.

I once read that no. 1 pencils are used by artist to make marks for drawings as a guide for details, the marks made by no. 1 pencils are later easily erased.

I always used #3’s. I hate a dull pencil.

On Smithsonian channel there is a show “Inside the Factory” The other night they went to a pencil factory in Germany. It’s pretty neat, a historian told the history of graphite. There is NO lead in a pencil. It’s graphite mixed with clay.

In surveying class (late 1950s) we were required to use 4H pencils. Like writing with a nail.

But it tries harder.

Nope … did not wonder about pencil numbers … but I do prefer a 1.4 pen ;-)

I use a number one. It fits well in my hand. But my brother-in-laws kept stealing them form me…….

Nope, never did or do. The number indicates the hardness of the ‘lead’ and the shade. A No.1 pencil is harder and lighter in shade and a No. 3 would be softer and darker in shade. As an engineer, I always used pencils of different hardness to obtain fine thin light lines or darker lines.

Huh, no, Pluggers go back to when pencils were used so much, we knew the #2 was a hardness rating. (sigh) Then again, I guess the cell phone and computer generation are entering the Plugger stage now, too.

I once used a 2½. Loved it.

They can’t be that because can you imagine a box pencils standing shouting “We’re number one”.

I often found myself wondering if I should use a 2b pencil or not 2b pencil

Nope. A plugger is smart enough to know the number designates the level of hardness of the graphite in the pencil.

As I tell the young guys at work I remember when we used a number 2 chisel on a stone tablet

So you can ‘collect the whole set’ With all the accessories. sharpeners, replacement eraser, pocket clip, designer storage and display cases.

First and second graders usually (or use to) use #1 since the lead is softer and the pencil is fatter/easier to grip.

I’ve always wanted to try the first 56 sauces that Heinz cooked up.

he should have paid attention in school when they explained the difference, In shop class we had to use No. 4 for drawings

https://www.fabercastell.com/blogs/creativity-for-life/graphite-pencil-lead-degree-hardness

If your kindergarten teacher gave you a fat, smeary pencil to draw with, you have used a #1 pencil.

Good question. It goes along with how, “can a bee fly when aviation experts say because of it’s design it’s not suppose to be possible?”