Introduction: How to Spin a Pencil Around Your Finger
You probably have seen someone do this. It might have been that kid who sits next to you in math, or your co-worker, or maybe your best friend. They effortlessly spin a pencil around their finger without a second thought. You might have tried to copy them and failed or you might have dismissed it as something you can't do. Well, you were wrong. You can learn how to spin a pencil (or pen, or marker, or paintbrush, or screwdriver, or banana, or just about anything) around your finger with a little practice.
Step 1: Materials
To learn to do this you will need...
- a pencil (you might want an unsharpened one so you don't poke yourself)
- Your hands
- This instructable
- Patience
Step 2: The Set-up
To get started you want to learn the beginning position for your hand in relation to the pencil. I will refer to this as "the set-up."
Take your pencil and position your pointer finger right next to the metal part of the eraser (see pic.)
Place your middle finger about a thumb-width down the pencil (also see pic.)
Put your thumb (of the same hand) between your ring and middle fingers on the back of the pencil to stabilize the pencil.
Step 3: The Kick
Now that you're familiar with the set-up, it's time to learn how to spin the pencil.
To start, "kick" the pencil with your middle finger at the same time that you pull your pointer finger away from the pencil. The feeling is similar to snapping.
Just practice that and make sure the pencil is rotating around your thumb. Remember not to use to much force and don't worry about catching it for now.
Step 4: The Catch
At this point you should be able to get the pencil to rotate around your finger and then fly away. That's good. Now it's time to control the pencil and get it to land back in your hand.
Start by slowly kicking the pencil. With your pointer finger extended it should fall THROUGH the gap between your pointer and thumb, before falling to the ground.
Now use that same slow kick, but as the pencil nears that gap pinch your index finger and thumb together. If done correctly, the pencil should now be in your hand and in the normal writing position. (see pic.)
Step 5: Ta-Dah!!!
You did it!! Now go show off to all your friends!!
With some practice you'll be able to spin anything you want!!
14 Comments
2 years ago
Do not try it.it does not work.
Tip 2 years ago on Step 3
Can i get aleft handed totorial?
Question 2 years ago on Step 3
I srill don t undersand how to do it
7 years ago on Introduction
thanks for the left handed tutorial :D
9 years ago on Introduction
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTFqxl9S4uw
11 years ago on Introduction
Im a drummer and i cant do this because there's no momentum. xD
12 years ago on Introduction
I would love to see a video... with slow motion, commentary, girls in bikinis, and yeah a video for this instructable would be nice...
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
maybe some rocket cars, explosions, rock music, clips from funny videos, sweet acrobatic moves.... yeah, a video would help a lot to understand the concept.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
possibly some keyboard cat, lightning bolts, clips from Full House, kickboxing and yes, a video would explain a bit better as well.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Don't forget the rickroll.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
pokemon theme song playing all the way through the whole video, except when it breaks to show the fresh prince theme song. and everyone in it is replaced with dinosaurs drawn in microsoft paint.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
You forgot the awesome 10 ft giant plush of pikachu.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
nope. he comes in at the end when you least expect it. and fights godzilla. and wins. and then you learn to spin a pencil.
12 years ago on Introduction
thanks! i'll start working on getting a video up here.