The lead extends like a razor knife, and stays razor sharp
Held each May in Las Vegas, The National Hardware Show is where buyers from hardware stores, lumber yards, and home centers go to see the latest and greatest tools and products being pitched by the companies that make them.
The 2016 show was particularly good, with more interesting new tools and products than I have seen in years passed. Some recently came out, some are scheduled for release later this year, and some are concepts in search of buyers—years away from being produced or fated to never be produced at all.
Here is another sneak peek at what you would have seen if you had been able to go to the show, which is open only to members of the NRHA (North American Retail Hardware Association) and select media.
SharpDraw Carpenter Pencil
The SharpDraw Pencil looks like a snap-blade utility knife. But instead of a blade it contains a carbon fiber/graphite lead that is advanced like a blade but used as a pencil.
The lead is flat and thin so it never needs sharpening. Run it against a metal straight edge and it gets even sharper through wear. If the end breaks off what is left is still good. When the lead wears down to nothing you can install a replacement and get back to work.
The SharpDraw pencil sells for $7-$11. A pack of three replacement blades costs about the same.
www.speedtac.com
—David Frane is a freelance editor and a good buddy of ours. Formerly, he was editor of Tools of the Trade magazine and website. He lives in Northern California.