Scribe Tools

Scribe tools are small pen-like hand tools commonly used by engineers, carpenters and other professionals who need to mark materials such as wood and steel accurately. They typically feature robust tips which are more effective, durable and safe than everyday stationery or knives.

Whether you're looking for a tungsten-tipped scribe, a double-tip scribe or another variation, we stock a range of reliable tools from leading manufacturers such as RS Pro and Ideal Industries.

Browse our product range online to find the marking tool to meet your needs. You can also read more about the applications and types of scribe tools below.

What are scribe tools?

Scribe tools are typically used to mark guidelines onto a workpiece before machining or woodworking. They feature tips commonly made of tungsten carbine, hardened steel or diamond which scratch faint lines when drawn across materials such as wood, metal and plastic.

The name scribe comes from the Latin word scriba, which described an individual who wrote or engraved documents. Scribe tools can be used alongside equipment such as marking ink, rulers and squares, as well as hand tools like saws, chisels and hammers.

What are the benefits of scribe tools?

Scribe tools are small and simple yet effective tools that offer several benefits:

• Their durable pointed tips create shallow scratches that aren't easily smeared or rubbed out like pen ink or pencil lead is.
• The lines that scribe tools create are thinner than pencil or pen lines, allowing for more precise marking and more accurate results.
• They're safer to use than alternatives such as knives, which risk damage to the material and injury to the user.
• Their slim, pen-like profile allows them to be easily stored and carried in toolboxes or pockets.

Scribe tools can be used in a range of applications too, from carpentry to engineering, construction and DIY. The lines created by scribe tools aren't easily removed however, so they're less suitable when marking an area of a workpiece that will be visible once finished. This semi-permanence also makes it extra important to measure up accurately before marking out.

What are the different types of scribe tool?

Scribe tools come in many forms depending on the application and the materials being marked. Common types include:

• Pocket scribes, which are small, basic tools with replaceable tips and hexagonal heads to stop them rolling when laid flat.
• Machinist's scribes, which are longer than pocket scribes and often feature a clip to attach them to clothing.
• Double-tip scribes, which have a straight point at one end and an angled point at the other. The angled point allows you to mark awkward areas such as holes and recesses.
• Knife-edge scribes, which have a straight point at one end and a flat blade at the other. The flat blade is ideal for marking softer materials such as wood and plastic.

There are four materials commonly used to make scribe tips:

• Tungsten carbide scribe tips are made from a compound of tungsten and carbide intended for use with hard or abrasive materials such as stainless steel, ceramic and glass.
• Steel scribe tips are made from a group of alloy steels with ideal properties for marking, such as abrasion resistance.
• Hardened steel tips undergo heat treatment to strengthen them further.
• Diamond scribe tips feature a small industrial diamond at the very tip. Diamond is an exceptionally tough material, though it cannot be sharpened once worn.

Many scribes come with replaceable tips, which can be convenient if you are doing a large amount of scribing work and don't want to spend time sharpening them.

Order quality scribe tools with RS

You can rely on our stock and shipping capabilities as one of North America's leading tool and hardware distributors. Whether you're looking for a tough tungsten carbide tip scribe or a versatile double-tip scribe for tight work areas, we're likely to offer the equipment you need.

Browse our product range online and order the right tools for the job. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our team of product specialists.

You can also read product advice and industry news on our expert hub.