I can tell you how to make a year's supply of charcoal in a couple of hours. Or, how to use a knife to make a writing quill from a feather, and how to make a l

I can tell you how to make a year's supply of charcoal in a couple of hours. Or, how to use a knife to make a writing quill from a feather, and how to make a lifetime supply of ink from household materials. Making a pencil is a highly fragmented industrial process, even at the 19th century level. Just making the "lead" is quite sophisticated. There is much satisfaction in being a maker - or at least being more than just a consumer.