REASONS TO BUY
Fly away cutters
Replaceable parts
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Slow on large pencils
Our favorite sharpener has been updated since testing. The revised model, pictured above, has sleeker aesthetics and the pencil diameter knob has been redesigned for easier turning. We're linking to the updated X-ACTO School Pro in our review.
10 mm |3 secondsThe X-ACTO School Pro Electric is a workhorse pencil sharpener made for high volume usage across a variety of pencil types, including color, graphite, and charcoal of varying hardnesses. This unit has six preset pencil diameters covering a wide range of sizes up to 10 millimeters. The shavings are collected in a large, clear container, so it's easy to see when it needs emptying. This machine helps combat oversharpening (and thus, pencil waste) by disengaging the &#;fly away&#; spiral blade once it achieves a fine point.
Despite how impressive we found this sharpener, the suction cup feet often required resetting on our smooth desktop. It's also not as quiet as we would like for library or classroom use. This issue is more apparent when sharpening large diameter pencils since the machine slows under the load. Lastly, this model is relatively expensive compared to the other contenders we reviewed. That said, few of the sharpeners in our lineup can bring such a wide variety of pencils to a fine point as fast as the X-ACTO School Pro. If you're in the market for a new pencil sharpener but want to avoid spending a ton, take a look at our top-rated budget option, the Toolsand Electric. It's ideal for a variety of pencils and works both as a manual or electric sharpener.
This unassuming workhorse looks sharp on any desktop.
Credit: Laura Casner
REASONS TO BUY
Super fine point
Clear shaving bin
REASONS TO AVOID
Two-tier sharpening system
Struggles with non-standard pencils
8 mm |30 seconds
The KUM Long Point uses two separate sharpeners in one unit. It first renders the wood into an elongated cone and then shaves the lead to a fine point. The palm-sized sharpener easily fits into a briefcase or tote, and the clear shavings bin allows you to see when it's time to empty the filings. The sharpener is designed for the 2- and 3.15-mm lead common to art pencils but can handle 8 mm diameter pencils as well.
The KUM utilizes two razor blades, one for each stage of the sharpening process. These blades are effective, but the second stage tends to break off the fine lead point if you're not careful. Moreover, this unit doesn't do well with charcoal or colored pencils. Odd-shaped pencils are difficult as well, such as those with a triangle cross-section. Finally, given the manual nature of this model, sharpening a brand new pencil is quite slow. Despite these shortcomings, the sharpener is a boss for its size and produces one of the finest tips of the group. If you find yourself using a wide variety of pencils the OfficeGoods Electric and Battery Operated may be better suited. Its ability to handle color and charcoal pencils as well as three different sharpening levels provides plenty of versatility.
There's never a dull moment with this compact sharpener.
Credit: Laura Casner
REASONS TO BUY
Batteries included
Spare blade included
REASONS TO AVOID
Requires a tight grip
Hexagonal pencils are a pain
8 mm |7 seconds (electric mode)
The handheld Toolsand Electric is unique in that it is both a manual and battery-powered device. If the situation calls for it, or you're just out of batteries, you can silently clean up the tip of your pencil. This model can handle a variety of pencil shapes, sizes (up to 8 mm), and types (color, graphite, and soft charcoal).
Although it's versatile, the Toolsand struggles with some tasks. For instance, the sharpener doesn't do well with hexagon-shaped charcoals or pencils on the harder side of the spectrum. Furthermore, we do not recommend this sharpener for kids because it requires a fair amount of grip strength to hold the pencils against the single razor blade that shaves them down. Despite these limitations, the Toolsand is inexpensive, versatile, compact, and effective. If you require a sharpener with easy-to-use operation, the one-handed Bostitch Personal Electric is worth considering as an alternative.
Having both hand and battery-powered options make this unit unique in the class.
Credit: Laura Casner
REASONS TO BUY
Quiet
Durable
REASONS TO AVOID
Can't sharpen charcoal
Must be mounted
12 mm |7 - 15 seconds (user dependent)
The scholastic classic X-ACTO Ranger Wall Mount may induce feelings of nostalgia for elementary school arts and crafts. This hand crank unit requires neither desk space nor electricity. The wall mount makes turning the handle a breeze, and the lack of a motor keeps the sound to a minimum. Moreover, this machine can handle a broad range of pencil diameters ranging from 4 to 12 millimeters and will bring all these sizes to a fine point.
We like several features of the Ranger, but for some users, these same features could be perceived as drawbacks. For starters, it's a wall mount sharpener. If you don't have a place to mount it or you don't want to put screws into your wall, then it's not for you. Also, if you don't like hand cranking, this model is a no-go because there is no electric option. Finally, this model won't sharpen charcoal. However, look no further if you want a reliable, quiet machine produced by a company that will stand behind its product. For those who don't find themselves needing a wall mount sharpener take another look at our editor's choice X-ACTO School Pro Electric as an all-around, versatile sharpener.
The mega-classic schoolhouse sharpener.
Credit: Laura Casner
REASONS TO BUY
Three sharpening levels
Handles color and charcoal pencils
REASONS TO AVOID
Requires decent grip strength
Ineffective blade stops
8 mm |7 seconds
The OfficeGoods Electric and Battery Operated pencil sharpener is a nicely designed product, and it handled all the pencil types that we threw at it &#; namely graphite, colored, and charcoal. The machine sharpens fairly fast (7 seconds for an 8 mm graphite pencil) and, perhaps best of all, you can set the tip angle to blunt, medium, or sharp to match your intended use or preference.
Conversely, the OfficeGoods sharpener requires you to be alert when bringing pencils to a point because the machine does not effectively stop sharpening when the desired angle is reached. As such, if you're not paying attention, it can unwantedly eat up a pencil. The single blade digs into the pencil forcefully enough to make holding a pencil stationary relatively difficult. That said, we think this machine is a good product all around for those sharpening a diverse pencil selection to a variety of point angles. Moreover, the two power options (battery or plug-in) gives the user flexibility.
This unit's three sharpening options will satisfy all users.
Credit: Laura Casner
REASONS TO BUY
Good-sized shaving bin
All-metal spindle/cradle construction
REASONS TO AVOID
No sharpener cut-off
Feet not very grippy
8 mm |3 seconds
The AFMAT Heavy Duty Electric has a narrow range of pencil types that it performs well on. When using a standard 8 mm pencil, however, it works great. While the unit only uses a single spiral blade, its construction is entirely metal &#; a more robust design, to be sure. Finally, its shavings bin is amply sized for infrequent emptying and heavy use.
Unfortunately, the feet of the AFMAT are not very grippy, which makes using it a two-handed operation &#; one to hold the machine in place and the other on the pencil. Additionally, if you don't monitor the sharpening, the machine can eat up a pencil. Nonetheless, this machine will sharpen most charcoal pencils as well as achieve beautiful tips on round, triangular, or hex graphite pencils. If you are in need of something more portable, take another look at the Kum Long Point, ideal for bringing to school, the office, or for artists on the go.
This sharpener works best on standard 8 mm pencils.
Credit: Laura Casner
REASONS TO BUY
Relatively blunt sharpening angle
Sharpens all standard pencils
REASONS TO AVOID
Loud
Messy when emptying
8 mm |6 seconds
The unique design of the Bostitch Personal Electric lends it an interesting look. It sharpens standard pencils to a fine, though steeper point. Additionally, the unit's feet have a strong enough grip to allow for one-handed operation.
While we like the look of the Personal, the tapered sidewalls make emptying a full tray a messy affair. Additionally, this product is limited to standard 8-mm pencils. Although it can't handle colored lead, it can bring charcoal pencils to a point with little effort. So, if you're looking for an electric model that can be used one-handed and looks interesting to boot, this is the ticket.
Unlike some of the competition, this desktop unit stays put when at work.
Credit: Laura Casner
Our team's analysis of pencil sharpeners was straightforward but exhaustive. We sharpened every kind of pencil commonly available and rated the machines on their performance. Namely, these were round, hexagonal, and triangular-shaped pencils with lead types of graphite, color, and charcoal. We rated the machines on the range of diameters they could accommodate as well. Perhaps most importantly, we delved into the convenience features that each machine offered. For example, we timed how long it took to sharpen a standard pencil, how much noise the machine produced, and whether the blade included an auto-stop mechanism to prevent over-sharpening.
Senior Review Analyst Austin Palmer has been testing consumer goods for the better part of a decade. He often uses a number two pencil to draw out his testing schematics and tools, as well as to take his extensive notes. He knows the value of a sharp pencil and a well-designed sharpening machine. Augmenting Austin's experience is Senior Review Editor Nick Miley. In his previous career as a dendrochronologist, he spent many an hour staring through a microscope at tree cores marking out rings narrow enough to barely accommodate a single dot with a pencil. He appreciates the value of a fine point pencil.
Regardless of your preference, there is a point type for you.Analyzing point type was critical to our evaluation of these products.The sound level of these machines was an important aspect of our analysis.Our analysis of pencil sharpeners relies on four metrics to examine all aspects of a good pencil sharpener. Specifically, these are convenience, lead type, pencil diameter, and shape, as well as sharpness and point type. Under each of these broad categories were carefully designed tests to provide a full understanding of each machine and who it will best suit. For the details of each metric and the machines that performed best, please continue reading.
Admittedly, convenience is not a self-explanatory category title. For our purposes, it covers aspects of sharpeners such as the number of hands needed to operate the machine, how noisy it is when sharpening a new pencil, how long it takes to bring a new pencil to a point, and the size of the shavings bin. Additionally, we looked at whether the machine has an auto-stop to prevent over-sharpening, what kind of blade it uses, and whether replacement parts are available. Without a doubt, the electric X-ACTO School Pro is the most convenient of all the sharpeners reviewed here. It has a &#;fly away&#; blade that never oversharpens, a large filings bin that limits trips to the wastebasket, and it isn't overly noisy or slow in its work. Moreover, the manufacturer offers replacement parts for purchase if the need arises.
Measuring sound levels may seem a bit nit-picky, but we think librarians and teachers will appreciate the information.
Credit: Austin Palmer
Alternatively, if you need a sharpener on the go, a desktop machine won't be convenient at all. If this is your situation, then have a look at both the KUM Long Point and the Toolsand Electric Pencil Sharpener. Both units are travel-sized and offer a fair amount of flexibility to sharpen different pencil types. The Toolsand is unique in that it is both manual and battery-powered. For added convenience, it comes with an extra blade and batteries.
The Toolsand will bring a variety of pencil diameters and shapes to a fine point.
Credit: Austin Palmer
As the name implies, the lead type metric looks at the types of pencils that the shaper can reliably bring to a point. Specifically, we tested graphite and color, as well as soft, medium, and hard charcoal pencils for this analysis. Surprisingly, many of the models in our review have blade systems that do not do well with anything save a standard graphite pencil. If you need a sharpener that can do it all, check out the desktop X-ACTO School Pro or the handheld OfficeGoods. Both sharpeners are likely to impress because we saw them effectively sharpen all lead types, including the challenging charcoal pencils.
Here we see perfectly sharpened soft, medium, and hard charcoal pencils. While it seems pedestrian, many sharpeners could not handle this task.
Credit: Austin Palmer
If you are only concerned with sharpening standard graphite pencils, then have a look at the X-ACTO Ranger. This classic hand-cranked, wall-mounted machine is a workhorse for bringing graphite to a fine point. If colored pencils are your main concern, the Toolsand is a pro. As for charcoal, the electric AFMAT does very well but be aware that it's hard to tell when the pencil is sharp, making over-sharpening and wasting your pencils a real concern.
While this model can't handle color or charcoal pencils, it is a boss with standard graphite.
Credit: Austin Palmer
There are a lot of different pencil shapes and diameters out there. As such, we looked at the range of shapes and sizes that these machines will accept. Specifically, we looked at round, hexagonal, and triangular shaft pencils. The triangle-shaped pencils posed problems for several sharpeners, as you might imagine. Additionally, many sharpeners are designed for the standard 8-mm pencil type, such as the number two graphite variety made infamous by standardized testing. If versatility is what you desire, look no further than, you guessed it, the X-ACTO School Pro. There isn't much this machine can't sharpen, except for carpenter pencils.
There isn't too much that this sharpener can't sharpen.
Credit: Austin Palmer
Another notable product is the X-ACTO Ranger, which covers diameters up to 11 mm and pretty much any shape.
The ol' standby Ranger will accept any shaped pencil up to 11 mm in diameter.
Credit: Laura Casner
Regardless of point type, a sharp pencil is desired by all. The angle of that point, however, is a matter of intended usage and preference. For example, a long narrow point, such as that produced by the KUM Long Point or the X-ACTO Ranger, might be desirable if you're doing fine line work. However, you'll likely want a blunt tip if you are working on a rough medium such as wood. Fortunately for those who want options, the OfficeGoods sharpener has three settings (blunt, medium, and sharp) so you can make task-specific decisions.
If you want tip options, look no further than the OfficeGoods.
Credit: Austin Palmer
In this review, we analyze and describe every aspect of a good pencil sharpener. Although the desired head on a pencil is an individual preference, we provide all of the details so that you can choose the right sharpener for your needs. Specifically, these features are pencil shapes and lead types that the sharpeners can handle, the time it takes to sharpen them, the quality of the tip rendered, and the noise they produce, to name just a few. So, whether you're a finish carpenter looking for a wide-angle tip for rough surfaces or a sketch artist looking for a long, fine point for detail work, there is a sharpener here for you.
A sharpener may seem like a simple tool, but which one you use can change the performance of your materials completely. When acquiring a sharpener, you need to consider the diameter of the pencils you want to use, the brittleness of their leads, whether you want a manual or electric sharpener, and what type of blade you prefer. In this post, we look at the range of pencil sharpeners available, and test their compatibility with a variety of pencils.
The article below is split into five sections:
Leaving aside for the moment sandpaper, sharpening blocks and knives, which are used to sharpen charcoals, graphite sticks and the like, there are two main types of pencil sharpener: Blade Sharpeners and Helical Sharpeners.
Blade sharpeners are the more familiar of the two. These are the pencil sharpeners we all used at school. You simply push the end of the pencil into a conical chamber and twist. The pressure forces the end of the pencil into contact with the blade, which remains stationary. As the pencil rotates, the blade pares away the wooden casing of the pencil and sharpens the lead.
Helical sharpeners are slightly more complicated than blade sharpeners. With a helical sharpener, it&#;s the cutting apparatus that revolves, not the pencil; the pencil remains stationary, clamped in place. Instead of a blade, they have a cylinder which bears a spiralling series of sharp ridges along its length. This cylinder is mounted on a cog, which causes it to rotate as it circles the pencil. The sharp ridges grind against the pencil, shaving away the wood and sharpening the lead to a fine point.
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These sharpeners are small and portable. They range from large plastic models for use with Jumbo pencils, to sharpeners for pastel pencils, which have softer leads that cannot hold a fine point. (note: the round Faber-Castell UFO sharpener is no longer available.)
Jackson&#;s Single Pencil Sharpener
This is the simplest and cheapest pencil sharpener we sell. It is small, tough and portable, though it will only sharpen standard diameter (e.g. 7 mm) pencils.
KUM Double Metal Sharpener
This KUM Double Metal Sharpener pencil sharpener is made of metal and has two steel blades. It will fit any 7 mm and 9 mm pencils.
KUM Single Plastic Sharpener for 7 mm diameter pencils
This sharpener is small, economical and portable. Like many of the plastic pencil sharpeners we sell, the colour of the item might vary.
KUM Double Plastic Sharpener for 7 mm and 9 mm diameter pencils
This double-hole sharpener is suitable for use with 7 mm and 9 mm pencils. It is light and very economical.
Stabilo Carbothello Pastel Pencil Sharpener
This sharpener is designed for use with Stabilo Carbothello Pastel Pencils, which have softer leads than regular graphite pencils and cannot hold as fine a point. They therefore have to be sharpened to a slightly wider angle (i.e. a stubbier point).
Koh-I-Noor Single Sharpener For Round Tips for 7 mm diameter pencils
This quality plastic sharpener has a single hole that fits 7 mm diameter pencils. It sharpens pencils to stubby tips and is therefore suitable for use with pastel pencils, which have soft leads. It is basically the same as the Stabilo Carbothello Pastel Pencil Sharpener, but it has a special feature; a small plastic rod which can (in theory) be used to fish bits of lead out of the sharpening assembly. (If you look at the shape of the sharpener, it&#;s not really possible for pieces of lead to get stuck in it, but you never know when a small plastic rod might come in handy).
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Koh-I-Noor Single Plastic Sharpener for Jumbo 12 mm diameter pencils
This sharpener is designed for use with &#;Jumbo&#; 12 mm diameter pencils such as the Faber Castell Series Jumbo or the Koh-I-Noor Jumbo Graphite Pencil . The colour of the plastic portion of the unit might vary from that shown above.
Stabilo Woody 3-in-1 Sharpener
This sharpener is designed for use with Stabilo Woody 3-in-1 Pencils. It doesn&#;t seem to work well with any other pencil.
Faber Castell Double Hole Metal Sharpener
This Faber-Castell pencil sharpener is made of steel and will keep its point. It is a double hole sharpener which can sharpen standard diameter graphite and colour pencils.
KUM The Masterpiece Metal Pencil Sharpener
The body of this sharpener is made from magnesium while the blades are high-carbon steel. It is a two-step sharpener &#; the first hole removes the wood, and the second shapes the lead to create a long, precise tip.
Makers Cabinet Brass Hovel Pencil Plane
A high-quality pencil plane that is designed to last. Instead of the insert and twist sharpening mechanism we are all used to, the pencil is run across the blade while turning gently. This makes it easier to sharpen your pencil without breaking the lead. Each pencil plane includes 10 carbon steel blades.
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We tested our reservoir sharpeners on a range of pencils, from the large (a Koh-I-Noor Jumbo Graphite Pencil) to the small (a Cretacolor Karmina Coloured Pencil and a Staedtler Tradition Sketching Pencil). We also used a couple of pencils which are difficult to sharpen, because they have flaky or crumbly leads; a Conte a Paris Charcoal Pencil and a Stabilo Carbothello Pastel Pencil.
In the following table, an &#;X&#; entry indicates that a pencil and sharpener are incompatible. Either the pencil won&#;t fit, or the sharpener will only chew it and break the lead off.
The star performer was probably the Jackson&#;s Double Pencil Sharpener. I also liked the Caran d&#;Ache Double Metal Pencil Sharpener for Grafwood and Technalo Pencils.
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Reservoir pencil sharpeners have a compartment to catch dust and pencil shavings. This ensures your workspace stays clean and also means that your pencil can be sharpened quickly and easily during a drawing session, without you having to leave the table. They are normally a little larger than pencil sharpeners with no reservoir, but because they are less likely to leak graphite dust or pencil shavings they&#;re preferable for artists on the move. (note: the green Jakar sharpener in the photo is no longer available.)
Jakar Two in One Combination Sharpener/Eraser
This innovative and portable Jakar sharpener combines a reservoir sharpener with an eraser, which has a plastic cap to keep it clean. It is suitable for use with standard diameter pencils.
The sharpener revolves: it can be turned inwards so that it does not leak graphite dust through the blade aperture. To empty the pencil shavings from the (very small) reservoir, simply swing the sharpener outwards and pull it off the main unit.
Staedtler Pencil Sharpener Yellow, Black and Red
This Staedtler Pencil Sharpener is designed for use with regular graphite pencils. It is a single-hole sharpener with a reservoir for graphite and wood shavings and a cap to stop dust leaking from the sharpening hole when not in use. Once the reservoir is full, simply press the button on the side to release the lid then empty the sharpener into a bin. It&#;s made of plastic, but this sharpener has an air of solid dependability about it.
Jakar Trio 3 Way Pencil Sharpener
This Jakar Trio 3 Way Pencil Sharpener is made from strong yet lightweight plastic. It features three holes: one for sharpening coloured pencils, one for regular-sized graphite pencils and one for jumbo pencils. It proved to be the most versatile of all of the reservoir sharpeners Jackson&#;s sell, and it is also highly portable. When it is clipped together, it is shaped like a triangular prism with blunted corners. It can be slipped into a bag or a pocket without fear of it coming apart or shedding dust everywhere.
Faber Castell Easy Grip Trio Sharpening Box
This Faber Castell Easy Grip Trio Sharpening Box is made from strong yet lightweight plastic. It features three holes: one for sharpening coloured pencils, one for regular-sized graphite pencils and one for jumbo pencils. It did well in our tests and is very portable.
Derwent Manual Twin Sharpener With Reservoir
This Derwent Twin Sharpener can be used to sharpen pencils of 7 mm and 8 mm diameters. It has a lid to stop lead dust falling out of the sharpening hole, and a larger reservoir than most sharpeners. It would therefore be perfect for longer sketching trips or for those who sharpen their pencils very regularly.
Faber Castell Dual Sharpener Box
This Faber Castell sharpener has two sharpening holes and is suitable for coloured pencils and graphite pencils. It has a compartment which will catch the shavings from wood-clad pencils. When not in use, the sharpening apparatus will slide down into a plastic case so that graphite dust cannot fall out of the sharpening holes.
KUM Glass Jar Single Hole Metal Pencil Sharpener
This single hole sharpener has a lightweight magnesium blade and a sturdy glass jar to catch the pencil shavings.
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We used the same selection of pencils to test our reservoir pencil sharpeners: a Koh-I-Noor Jumbo Graphite Pencil, a Faber Castell Series Jumbo Pencil, a Conte a Paris Charcoal Pencil, a Stabilo Carbothello Pastel Pencil, a Cretacolor Karmina Coloured Pencil and a Staedtler Tradition Sketching Pencil.
In the following table, an &#;X&#; entry indicates that a pencil and sharpener are incompatible. Either the pencil won&#;t fit, or the sharpener will only chew it and break the lead off. The most versatile was the Jakar Trio 3 Way Pencil Sharpener, which sharpened all of the pencils nicely. The other sharpener which shared the same design, the Faber Castell Easy Grip Trio Sharpening Box, was also very effective on pencils of different sizes.
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Helical pencil sharpeners are also known as &#;crank sharpeners&#;. With helical pencil sharpeners, the pencil remains clamped in place, while the sharpening mechanism revolves around it. Instead of a blade, they have a cylinder which bears a spiralling series of sharp ridges along its length. This cylinder is mounted on a cog, which causes it to rotate as it circles the pencil. The ridges grind against the pencil, shaving away the wood and sharpening the lead to a fine point.
Caran d&#;Ache Plastic Desktop Crank Pencil Sharpener
This Caran d&#;Ache crank sharpener is small and elegant. It&#;s not the cheapest of the crank sharpeners, nor the most versatile, since it can only sharpen regular 7 mm pencils, but it looks good and feels sturdy and well-made. It comes with a small clamp to attach it to a tabletop.
Derwent Super Point Manual Helical Sharpener
The sharpening mechanism in this Derwent crank sharpener is basically the same as that in the Caran d&#;Ache plastic model, though the chuck releases with a button rather than a set of handles which you pinch. The Derwent model is slightly larger (with a slightly larger chamber for shavings and dust) but it feels a little more rattly and fragile. It can sharpen pencils with a diameter between 7 mm and 9mm.
Derwent Super Point Manual Helical Sharpener with Pinch Chuck
This Derwent sharpener is basically a slightly larger version of the plastic Derwent model above, with a heavy metal body and a pinch-style chuck. Again, it can sharpen pencils of between 7 and 9mm diameter. It still feels rattly. The chamber, chuck and crank are all plastic, and it feels as if they don&#;t quite fit the metal body. The chamber for shavings is large. It does come with a clamp to fix it to a table, but the whole unit is so heavy this feels a bit redundant.
Jakar Crank Desk Top Pencil Sharpener
Uniquely among the crank sharpeners, this bulky Jakar model can sharpen pencils of between 7 mm &#; 11.6 mm diameter to a variable tip. On the crank handle, there&#;s a small nut which can be turned clockwise or anti-clockwise; this changes the angle at which the helical screw meets the tip of the pencil. Thanks to this feature, this sharpener can be used with both graphite pencils and softer pencils such as coloured pencils, large coloured pencils or pastel pencils. The chamber is large and transparent, and it&#;s possible to watch the sharpening mechanism revolving around the pencil, which is quite satisfying. It comes with a clamp, but it&#;s heavy enough without one.
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For this test we used the same selection of pencils as above. The Jakar Crank Desk Top Pencil Sharpener proved to be the most effective and the most versatile; unlike the other crank pencil sharpeners, it can be used with both regular and jumbo pencils.
Sharpener Koh-I-Noor Jumbo Pencil (10 mm diameter) Conte Charcoal Pencil (8.5 mm diamter) Stabilo Carbothello Pastel Pencil (7 mm diameter) Cretacolor Karmina Water-Resistant Coloured Pencil (8 mm) Staedtler Tradition Sketching Pencil (7 mm) Caran d&#;Ache Plastic Desktop Crank Pencil Sharpener X X Good &#; very long tip though Great Great Derwent Super Point Manual Helical Sharpener X X Good &#; very long tip though Very good &#; a very sharp tip Good Derwent Super Point Manual Helical Sharpener with Pinch Chuck X X Good Very Good Very Good Jakar Crank Desk Top Pencil Sharpener Good Good but don&#;t sharpen for too long or the chuck will continue to feed the pencil into the sharpening mechanism until it snaps off Good &#; sharpens to a very long tip though Great Great
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Jackson&#;s stock three types of electric pencil sharpeners. Two of these use regular blade sharpeners which revolve around the pencil, driven by a battery-powered motor. The most heavy-duty of our electric sharpeners, the Jakar Electric Pencil Sharpener with Auto-Stop, uses a helical crank mechanism. This sharpening mechanism is driven by an electric motor powered from the mains.
Jakar Automatic Battery Double Pencil Sharpener
This battery-operated double sharpener can be used with pencils of 6 mm &#; 8 mm or 9 mm &#; 12 mm. It uses a couple of regular blade sharpeners which revolve around the pencil when it is inserted into either of the sharpening holes. These blade sharpeners are driven by a small electric motor. As inefficient as this sounds, it does actually produce reasonable results; it&#;s very easy just to insert your pencil into the sharpening hole for a couple of seconds every other minute. It would be a great choice for anyone who needs to sharpen their pencils near-constantly while drawing. It&#;s also great value. It takes four AA batteries.
Jakar Electric Pencil Sharpener with Auto-Stop
This Jakar Electric Sharpener has a UK wall-plug, which is attached to the device by a 1.6 m long lead. The device will stop sharpening once the pencil has been brought to a fine point.
With repeated use over a long time, the blade on this sharpener will wear down and become blunt. Replacement blades can be found here.
Jakar Automatic Battery Pencil Sharpener
This Jakar pencil sharpener has a single hole and a stylish ergonomic design. It has a reasonably small chamber for pencil shavings, but is otherwise very well designed.
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Sharpener Koh-I-Noor Jumbo Pencil (10 mm diameter) Conte Charcoal Pencil (8.5 mm diamter) Stabilo Carbothello Pastel Pencil (7 mm diameter) Cretacolor Karmina Water-Resistant Pencil (8 mm diameter) Staedtler Tradition Sketching Pencil (7 mm) Jakar Automatic Battery Double Pencil Sharpener X Fine but do be careful and don&#;t try too sharpen to a fine tip Good &#; very long tip though Great Great Jakar Automatic Battery Pencil Sharpener X X Very good &#; very &#;hungry&#; though Very good &#; a very sharp tip Very good &#; very &#;hungry&#; though Jakar Electric Pencil Sharpener with &#;Auto-Stop&#; X X Good Very Good Very Good &#; exceptionally sharp tip produced in no time
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These tools are all sharpening implements, but with the exception of the Faber Castell Perfect Pencil, they are primarily designed for sharpening charcoal sticks, clutch pencil leads and pastels, rather than your average pencil. The one advantage sharpening knives and blocks have over conventional pencil sharpeners is that you can sharpen your lead into unusual shapes if you so choose.
We didn&#;t think in this case it was very appropriate testing these tools against each other, as they&#;re designed for a wide range of different uses.
Faber Castell Sandpaper Sharpening Block
This Faber Castell Sandpaper Block consists of a block of wood with two strips of sandpaper mounted onto it. The papers are of different grades, fine and coarse, and are designed for sharpening fine lead points, charcoal sticks, soft pastels and pastel pencils, none of which sharpen well in conventional pencil sharpeners. A more economical option is the JAS Sand Paper Block, which works in the same way.
Faber Castell Erasing and Sharpening Knife
This Faber Castell Sharpening Knife is best used with graphite sticks and hard pastels, but can also be used with pencils. You might need to sharpen it slightly if you are using it with pencils which have a thick wooden casing. It doubles up as an erasing tool.
Faber Castell Lead Pointer
The Faber Castell Lead Pointer is a miniature blade sharpener for use with 2mm clutch pencil leads. It is extremely small and portable, and can be mounted on a keyring. In fact, if you don&#;t mount it on a keyring or something similar, I imagine it would be very easy to misplace. It&#;s far less practical than the Mars 502 Lead Pointer Tub pictured below.
Staedtler Mars 502 Lead Pointer Tub for 2 mm Pencil Leads
Staedtler Lead Pointer Tub is a rotary sharpener for 2mm clutch pencil leads. It can sharpen leads on their own or whilst they are mounted in a mechanical pencil and automatically stops when the pencil is sufficiently sharpened. It has two gauging holes: one will produce an extremely fine point for detailed drawing, and the other a standard point for writing.
To use, place the lead of the clutch pencil in either of the gauging holes. These are the holes marked with a triangle, either side of the circular white cleaning pad. Press the end of the clutch pencil to release the lead into the gauging hole. Let the clutch pencil clasp the lead again and lift the lead from the gauging hole. The lead will be protruding from the clasp, which will then ensure it is sharpened to either a moderate or a sharp point, depending on which gauging hole is used. Place the pencil in the large sharpening hole and spin the lid of the sharpener round (as if you were churning something inside the bucket) until it offers no resistance. At this point the lead will be fully sharp. Wipe the lead-dust from the point of the pencil using the cleaning pad and you&#;re done.
This is a very effective and efficient sharpener. Unlike the Faber Lead Pointer, it catches the lead dust in a bucket and is therefore less messy.
Faber Castell Perfect Pencil with Eraser + Sharpener
This neat little pencil comes with a plastic cap (with pocket clip) to protect its point, as well as an eraser and a tiny blade sharpener which pulls out of the cap.
Caran d&#;Ache Pencil Peeler for Pastel Pencils with 3 Replaceable Blades
The Caran d&#;Ache Pencil Peeler is a great tool for sharpening your pencils, especially pastel pencils, which do not fare well in conventional pencil sharpeners because of their soft leads. This product works like a potato peeler; if you run the blade down the end of the pencil or crayon you wish to sharpen, a small curl of wood and lead will be pared away. It is possible to sharpen pencils with more precision than conventional pencil sharpeners, and to sharpen pencils to unusual shapes (to an extremely sharp point, to a flat tip, or to a stubby tip). The Caran d&#;Ache Pencil Peeler is quicker, safer and more accurate than using a craft knife.
If you would prefer, the blade can be reversed so that you push it, rather than pull it, against the pencil. Simply bend the flexible metal frame apart so that the blade falls out, flip the blade round, and replace it in the same set of notches. This product comes with three replacement blades which can be inserted in the same way.
Note that the red pencil peeler pictured is no longer available, but the same model is available in silver
Nitram : Sharpening Bloc for Charcoal and Pastel
This sharpening block is slightly smaller than a table-tennis bat. It is designed for use with charcoal sticks, hard pastels and soft pastels.
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This is an updated version of an original post published on 7th November
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Electronic Pencil Sharpeners.