Layout: Pencil vs. Knife
For accuracy and efficiency, you'll need both
Synopsis: Like any task in woodworking, accurate layout depends on using the right tool at the right time. The lines most critical to tightly mating joinery definitely should be made by a knife edge. But for marks that don’t require hair-splitting precision, a pencil is quicker, easier to handle, and makes for visible lines. In this article Christian Becksvoort explains when to reach for each of these tools.
Like any task in woodworking, accurate layout depends on using the right tool at the right time. It’s easy to think that if a knife marks more precisely, it’s better to always use a knife and never pick up a pencil. This isn’t necessarily so. The lines most critical to tightly mating joinery definitely should be made by a knife edge. But for marks that don’t require hair-splitting precision, a pencil is quicker, easier to handle, and makes more visible lines.
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