Matite

Matite is the Italian plural noun for pencils. In Italian-language contexts, matite refers to writing and drawing tools with a graphite or colored core encased in wood or plastic. The term encompasses a range of implements from everyday school pencils to professional drawing aids. In English, the equivalent term is pencils; matite appears in Italian texts and discussions about writing instruments.

History and construction are commonly associated with the modern pencil. The contemporary instrument traces its development to 16th-century Europe after large graphite deposits were found in Borrowdale, England. Early pencils consisted of a graphite stick inserted into a wooden sheath. Today, most wooden pencils use a wood casing—often cedar or basswood—with a sharpenable graphite core, while mechanical pencils rely on refillable lead cartridges.

Types of matite include several varieties. Wooden graphite pencils are the standard tool for writing and sketching. Colored pencils use pigment-based cores blended with wax or oil binders for vibrant lines. Mechanical pencils employ replaceable leads and differ in tip design and lead thickness. Carpenter pencils are broad, rectangular or oval, designed for marking on rough materials like wood.

Hardness and marking characteristics are central to selecting a matita. Graphite cores are graded on a scale from hard (H) to soft (B), with HB commonly used as a mid-range grade. Softer leads (e.g., B, 2B) produce darker marks but wear faster and smudge more; harder leads (e.g., H, 2H) offer lighter marks and crisper lines. Colored pencils use pigment-rich cores with varying opacity and lightfastness.

See also: pencil. Notes: Matite is a linguistic term rather than a separate category in English-language mineralogy or geology. Depending on context, it may simply refer to pencils discussed in Italian-language sources.