Pencil Carving Clubs – The Latest Trend in Pencil Carving

The delicate art of pencil carving has recently gained traction with youths in Japan and Vietnam. The trend first began in 2008, and has boomed in recent years. Students in universities and high schools in particular have taken up the trade, using special knives, scalpels, and even homemade equipment to carve intricate figures into pencils.

University student and Hanoi Pencil Carving Club member Pham Van Binh reports that simple designs typically take 30 minutes to an hour, while more intricate and complex sculptures can take several days to create. According to the head of the Hanoi Pencil Carving Club, Dr. Nguyen Duc Hai, choosing the best pencil for the job is also critical as it will greatly impact both the difficulty of the process and the quality of the finished product. He adds that pencils made from plastic are the easiest to carve.

Beyond being a hobby, pencil carving can also be a source of income for these creative youths. Twenty-four-year-old Dang Hong Khanh of Vietnam, winner of a national pencil carving contest, has been creating beautiful and intricate pencil sculptures since 2008. He sells his creations on social networking sites. He is also the co-owner of a café where his work is displayed and sold. He founded the Sai Gon But Chi Khac (Saigon Carved Pencil Club), and his café is a favorite meeting spot for club members as well as other pencil carving enthusiasts.

Pencil carving is not without risk, however. The tiny canvas coupled with the sharp objects necessary for sculpting it could spell disaster for your fingers. Steady hands are a must for pencil carving. Special caution must also be taken when working with the pencil tip due to its extra-small and extra-fragile nature. If you’re going to attempt your own pencil carving, please be careful! And also, please take pictures to share with all of us at Pencils.com, because we would love to see what you come up with.