When wielded properly pencils are indeed dangerous, even more dangerous than swords in some cases. But less dangerous - in the general case - than say a gun or a knife which is why we call those weapons in the first place.
Note that according to the definition of a weapon ("a thing designed or used for inflicting bodily harm or physical damage") a pencil can be classed as a weapon due to its use. Which is a perfect illustration of why men with pencils (used as weapons) are more dangerous than men without.
I think you actually made mine which was that anything can be classed as a weapon therefore the object in question isn't as relevant as the person wielding it. Yes, you can put them on a continuum, but I'd still rather not be in an elevator with a person intent on doing me harm regardless of the object they are holding.
"There are no dangerous weapons; there are only dangerous men."
Note that according to the definition of a weapon ("a thing designed or used for inflicting bodily harm or physical damage") a pencil can be classed as a weapon due to its use. Which is a perfect illustration of why men with pencils (used as weapons) are more dangerous than men without.
So thank you for making my point.