Post by bw on Oct 7, 2005 5:53:56 GMT -5
How to Spin a Pencil Around Your Thumb
Have you ever watched somebody in class or at the office skillfully twirl a pencil around his or her thumb and wondered how that person did it? Have you tried to do it on your own and found that it's not as easy as it looks? By following these steps and practicing - a lot - you can amaze curious onlookers with your brilliant pencil spinning, too!
Steps
Hold the pencil between your index, middle finger, and thumb. Your index and middle finger should be spaced about the width of your thumb apart (Your thumb should be able to fit between your index and middle fingers). Your fingers should point upwards about 20-45 degrees.
Simultaneously fold your middle finger in (at the joint closest to your hand) and extend your index finger. Your middle finger should end up resting with the inside of its last joint on the joint of your thumb.
Catch the pencil, after it wraps around your thumb and hits your middle finger, by moving your index finger back to its original position.
Practice this by holding the pencil in your non-dominant hand and guiding it around, so that you get a feel for how it should move.Also, the angle to hold your hand at varies varies from person to person. Experiment to find your preferred angle.
Tips
Folding the middle finger should cause it the pencil to "roll" off of it. It is not a flick. If the pencil flies off without touching the back of your thumb, you're flicking it.
The pencil should make constant contact with the skin between your thumb's nail and joint. If it touches the joint you aren't folding your middle finger fast enough, if it touches the nail you're holding the pencil incorrectly (it should start at the center of the thumb, with the bottom of the pencil at the bottom of the nail. It will lose some height as it spins).
Don't move your hand or thumb at all while doing this.
If using an imbalanced pen, hold it at the heavy end.
Warnings
When folding your middle finger back, don't push too hard. It barely takes any force to send the pencil all the way around.
Practice this only when you have something for it to land on. Do not do this while sitting at a school desk until you get good, as it will more than likely fall on the floor every time. You can catch the pencil in a coat or jacket on your desk, though.
Things You'll Need
Pens or pencils. Unsharpened standard #2 pencils are the best, as they are long, moderately heavy, and perfectly balanced. Some fanatics even take to customizing pens to get them just right.
Have you ever watched somebody in class or at the office skillfully twirl a pencil around his or her thumb and wondered how that person did it? Have you tried to do it on your own and found that it's not as easy as it looks? By following these steps and practicing - a lot - you can amaze curious onlookers with your brilliant pencil spinning, too!
Steps
Hold the pencil between your index, middle finger, and thumb. Your index and middle finger should be spaced about the width of your thumb apart (Your thumb should be able to fit between your index and middle fingers). Your fingers should point upwards about 20-45 degrees.
Simultaneously fold your middle finger in (at the joint closest to your hand) and extend your index finger. Your middle finger should end up resting with the inside of its last joint on the joint of your thumb.
Catch the pencil, after it wraps around your thumb and hits your middle finger, by moving your index finger back to its original position.
Practice this by holding the pencil in your non-dominant hand and guiding it around, so that you get a feel for how it should move.Also, the angle to hold your hand at varies varies from person to person. Experiment to find your preferred angle.
Tips
Folding the middle finger should cause it the pencil to "roll" off of it. It is not a flick. If the pencil flies off without touching the back of your thumb, you're flicking it.
The pencil should make constant contact with the skin between your thumb's nail and joint. If it touches the joint you aren't folding your middle finger fast enough, if it touches the nail you're holding the pencil incorrectly (it should start at the center of the thumb, with the bottom of the pencil at the bottom of the nail. It will lose some height as it spins).
Don't move your hand or thumb at all while doing this.
If using an imbalanced pen, hold it at the heavy end.
Warnings
When folding your middle finger back, don't push too hard. It barely takes any force to send the pencil all the way around.
Practice this only when you have something for it to land on. Do not do this while sitting at a school desk until you get good, as it will more than likely fall on the floor every time. You can catch the pencil in a coat or jacket on your desk, though.
Things You'll Need
Pens or pencils. Unsharpened standard #2 pencils are the best, as they are long, moderately heavy, and perfectly balanced. Some fanatics even take to customizing pens to get them just right.
I mean, cuz if'n ya don't, I have lotsa things that need doin', ya know. The ducks need their pool emptied, cleaned, and refilled, the dog needs a total grooming (although I did clip his nails last night), the house needs dusting and vacuuming (again! Why can't we just do it once or twice and never have to do it again???), the truck needs a bath, the inside cleaned, and a total servicing, Bob's truck needs the same, plus a new engine wouldn't hurt... let's see, what else... oh, the dishwasher needs running, there's also sorting and filing to do. The list goes on. You're more than welcome to come on up and help out! 
But then, I guess if you did that, we wouldn't have posts like these to learn from, would we? ;D