Introduction: How to Make a Spiral Pencil
Just recently I went on a long car ride and happened to have a few pencils and an x-acto knife. I did what any maker would do, I started whittling at one of the pencils til I had a cool-looking spiraled pencil. In this instructable I will show you how to make a spiral pencil!
Step 1: Picking the Right Pencil
To make a spiraled pencil you will first need the right pencil. Shown here are three different types of pencils. The first is a six sided pencil. Sounds simple enough, but could prove itself to be difficult for the beginner. The second one is a Ticonderoga pencil, also six sided. Appaently the world's best. The wood on these are sometimes a little bit harder thus being tougher to whittle, if you have a sharp enough knife then go for it. The last is a colored pencil. It is completely round. Its shape will make it easier for beginners to practice on, although the hardness of the wood differs.
After you pick your pencil, you should decide whether or not you want it sharpened. If so, do it before whittling.
With that said, you're ready to start whittling!
Step 2: Whittling
Start by cutting 2 lines that go all the way around the pencil in a spiral shape.
Now you can start cutting out the shape. Cut all of the wood from the surface of the pencil that lies between the two spiral lines. After that, start cleaning up the spiraled area. Simply scrape with the x-acto knife or sand with a file.
Step 3: Finished!
You are now finished with your spiral pencil! Here's a few suggestions of what to do with it!
Go brag to friends about how awesome your skills are and show them your pencil!
Roll the pencil on a table and see the awesome endless squiggle!
Post a picture of your awesome pencil!
the possibilities are endless!
Perhaps you could vote for me in the toy contest?! Sweet, Thanks!!
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41 Comments
2 years ago
Nice!
6 years ago
Wow i am going to make this im going to try and make a dual spiral with more shallow cuts for better wrighting in my lifetime i have drawn so much i worked 5 pencils to a nub :D its fun drawing with a 1/2 inch pencil
9 years ago
I would do this but I have a tendency to lose pencils… :)
9 years ago on Introduction
Awesome! I just showed my sister mine compared to yours and mine is horrible compared to yours!!!!
11 years ago on Introduction
So going to make it, wonder how well it writes?
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Well, I wouldn't use it that much for writing because it could snap easily. You should post some pics!
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
once made i will
11 years ago on Introduction
very cool, but the thought of you playing with an exacto knife in the car makes me nervous. :)
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Don't worry, I've pricked myself enough with exactos in my day, I'm basically immune to pain! The bleeding though, I still bleed.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
I think im gonna try one and impress apon the electronics class :)
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Yeah! they're easy to make but very impressive looking!
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Ditto. 'Nuff said.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
I concur! I'm a majorly talented klutz. Such a pursuit in a moving vehicle would just about guarantee a subsequent trip to the nearest ER. He's a better man than I am, Gunga Din!
11 years ago on Introduction
Wouldn't it be really cool if you carved a totem pole design into the pencil?
11 years ago on Introduction
What if you could dovetail a couple of pencils together and... well that's it really...
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
really hard to do, but not impossible (:
would be great for 3D lettering or if you put several together putting lines on blank paper (removing the graphite from every other pencil could be good for makeing multiple copies of the same line maybe for cutting up later) a lot more stable than just a couple of rubber bands)
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
ya!!
11 years ago on Step 3
You could have used a thin strip of sandpaper at the end to make it nice and smooth (well smoother :P)
So far I've only done that with a candle :D Got to try with a pencil, when I have too much spare time :D
11 years ago on Introduction
i've made a couple of these before but I used a table belt sanders rounded end, and just pulled down and twised the pencil. I made about a dozen in an hour, they were pretty awsome but they were very easy to break.
11 years ago on Introduction
Very nice job, but please don't things like this in a moving car again, we don't want to have to call you lefty.
Keep them coming this is cool