<< This project was my entry for a contest on another site about 10 years ago. The idea was to make something out of a single 8' 2X4. I still have the match. It lives on the mantle of our living room fireplace. I gave the pencil to a math teacher at the high school to display in his classroom. >>
One of my favorite scenes in the movie This Is Spinal Tap involves a confusion between inches and feet that leads to a miniature stage prop. This is kind of the opposite of that. I now own a very large half-worn-out pencil and a stick match.
In the style of an online review, here are my findings.
The Pencil
PROS:
- I will be surprised if I misplace it in my shop.
- I do not find myself chewing on it.
CONS:
- I have a hard time holding it behind my ear.
- It is awkward to use for marking dovetails.
- It is easy to overdo it with the eraser.
The Match
PROS:
- This is the perfect wood stove fire starter. It is a match and kindling in one.
- It would probably be useful for signaling search aircraft.
CONS:
- I don't smoke, but I imagine that there could be a danger using it to light a cigarette.
- It would be cumbersome to take hiking.
- I do not recommend the "light it on your fly" trick (don't ask why I say that).