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The readers are somewhat familiar with the classic wooden #2 pencil, so it seems impossible to amaze them with any new information about these writing devices. However, here are some interesting facts about their dimensions and weight.
How Long Is a Pencil?
How long is pencil? We are talking about a traditional wooden writing instrument, which is going to be examined. Let’s take the Dixon Ticonderoga considered the best # 2 tool in the world with its distinctive yellow covering and the history of the corporation dating back to 1795. These can be also popular around the globe wooden tools produced by Societe BIC S.A. and well known for their comfort and simplicity.
When such a writing device is measured, experts prefer using centimeters (cm) rather than millimeters (mm), because the length of a pencil is more than a centimeter.
When its width is measured, millimeters are used instead, because this measurement is less than one centimeter. To make necessary measurements, a 15 or 30 cm ruler is used.
A standard hexagonal number 2 device is 7.0 inches (18 cm) long with the diameter of 7-8 mm. After sharpening, it becomes smaller. Such wooden writing instruments are usually made of cedar and have a hexagonal shaft. Their lead is a mixture of graphite, wax and clay.
Length of Unsharpened Pencil
An unsharpened classic wooden pencil measured together with the eraser is 7.5 inches long (19 cm). Depending on the brand, it can be also 6 inches (15 cm). Golf (or library) pencils are 3.5 inches (9 cm) long. These are special mini-sized tools developed for user’s comfort. As we need to sharpen a new tool for further usage, subsequent sharpening makes it shorter and shorter.
Mechanical Pencil: Is It Longer Than Wooden?
Mechanical writing devices are almost the same long as wooden ones or may be a bit smaller. Typically, they are 5.5-6 inches long (14-15 cm). The dimensions may vary depending on the brands that offer different mini writing models.
How Much Does a Pencil Weigh?
The mass of each wooden writing implement differs from wood thickness. As a rule, cheaper tools are made of wood that is thinner.
A regular #2 writing device weighs on average 0.2-0.3 ounces (oz), what is 0.0125 pounds (lbs) or 6-7 grams (g) or 0.006 kilograms (kg). This standard unsharpened pencil with an unused eraser has been weighed on digital scales.
No doubt, mechanical writing instruments are heavier, as they have aluminum or brass pieces or a metal casing. Average mechanical tools weigh 20-40 g (0.7 oz), while big specimens can amount to 60 g (2 oz) or more.
Conclusions
This calculation and scaling may help you in understanding pencils better. If you don’t believe WoWPencils, you can make the measurements on your own!
References
- The Anatomy of a No. 2 Pencil – https://www.huffingtonpost.com/
- How Many Inches Is a Mechanical Pencil? – http://science.answers.com/
- How Much Does a Pencil Weigh in Ounces? – http://science.answers.com/
- What Is the Length of a Pencil? – https://www.reference.com/