Why do pencil leads break when sharpening?

Question

Everytime I try to sharpen lead pencils, the lead always breaks off inside the wood itself and I was wondering how to avoid this problem?
Have tried not sharpening pencils to a sharp point, chosing a better brand, using a new sharpener, but nothing works.
Does anyone else have this minor, but annoying problem when trying to sharpen pencils? (even make-up pencils break off) And any solutions?

Answer 1

The lead doesn't usually break while sharpening. Pencil lead (actually a mix of graphite and clay) is very brittle - if you drop the pencil, chances are it will break internally. When you sharpen the pencil, the broken bits are loosened by the sharpener and fall out.



You can check if a pencil has already broken. Just hold it horisontally about 1 1/2 inches above a hard surface, then drop it. If the lead has brokem, it'll give a rattle slightly. Unbroken pencil leads give a more solid-sounding noise. Try it sometime with a new pencil, and you'll hear the difference straight away.

Answer 2

Hmm... It's annoying that's for sure!



Makeup pencils, refrigerate them before sharpening.



Regular pencils, sometimes they are old when you buy them!



The wood around the pencil is a good indicator, if it splinters then the pencil is old, or the wood was too dry when they were made, that means the wood sucked some of the moisture from the lead making the lead brittle. (Thats my theory and I'm sticking by it!)



Often, I'll buy a bunch of pencils and put them in a metal box with a tiny wet sponge for a week or so. Seems to help.



I often use an exacto blade to sharpen the pencil, they seem to break less often, especially anything under 2H.



Annie

Answer 3

Buy a sharpner made especially for make-up pencils they have typically have sections to sharpen fat & thin pencils try not to drop the pencil on a hard surface that causes breakage you could try placing the pencil in an ice compartment or freezing before needing to sharpen that may stop breakage

Answer 4

Yeah, I was having the same problem when I was in the studio. I would get really frustrated and sharpen my pencil down to 3 inches in a matter of days. I invested in a good electric sharpener. It was a battery powered one. It's a little pricier, but it definitely solved my problem.

Answer 5

Like "Bardy" says, don't drop or bang your pencil. Otherwise, I would suggest pressing the pencil *gently* into the sharpener, and spinning it around with your fingers while it is sharpening in order to get a nice even shave all around.

Answer 6

It's either the pencil quality is crap, or the sharpener is also crap, or you're applying too much force when sharpening.



Buy a hand-cranked pencil sharpener, it will give you better results.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

Pencil lead is so thin and fragile, it doesn't matter what kind of brand you use. Tips: don't write super hard, don't tap your pencil (as silly as that seems, it can break). The only thing I can suggest is try using a mechanical pencil.

Answer 9

When you sharpen, put minimal pressure on the pencil, then gradually increase the pressure so slightly. You'll feel the pencil to begin to take shape, that's how I do it, It works great!

Answer 10

They're already broken on the inside and the sharpening just makes it noticeable. It's usually after they've been dropped or something (might not have been you, might have been way back in the store). Better brand, better care or better sharpeners may help.

Answer 11

You have probably dropped the pencil at some time and broke the lead inside. When you sharpen it then the lead is loose and comes out. Don't drop your pencil.

Answer 12

It's part of the Murphy's Law continuum - If something can go wrong it will

Answer 13

why did you sharpen the pencil? you just avoid use the pencil. avoid the problem.