A carpenter's pencil is the right tool for many DIY jobs, due to its shape and ease of use. Avoid a common mistake when sharpening it for safety and accuracy.

Although there are dedicated carpenter pencil sharpeners, it’s another gadget to own, get lost, or break. I prefer to sharpen these pencils the way most carpenters do: with a utility knife.

John Lee Love was a carpenter by trade, so he always had a need for a pencil. He needed a sharpener that was portable, easy-to-use, and wouldn’t make a mess. So, he designed and patent his own.