You're not far off, it's so that the wood doesn't interfere when using a pencil pointer, and exposing more graphite does reduce time spent whittling. That's one

You're not far off, it's so that the wood doesn't interfere when using a pencil pointer, and exposing more graphite does reduce time spent whittling. That's one big reason it's more common to find mechanical pencils at the drafting table, but they also do still go for a spin in the pointer now and then. https://www.draftingsuppliesdew.com/supplies/lead-pointers https://www.draftingsuppliesdew.com/supplies/lead-pointers