Gear Friction Test

I relocated from the cushion to the flat wooden perimeter of the desk. Near the corner stood a rotary pencil sharpener, its metal housing cold against my palm. I inserted one fingertip into the rear crank loop. A calculated push generated immediate mechanical resistance, followed by a crisp rhythmic click of internal interlocking teeth. One rotation. Two rotations. The gear ratio feels surprisingly tight. I tilted my head to inspect the tiny aperture where the lead shavings descend, observing the smooth transfer of force through the internal cylinder.