The Bostitch Personal Electric Pencil Sharpener is a very popular sharpener on this list, and the fact that has consistently impressed buyers so often is a testament to its quality. This device not only boasts of a space-saving design but it is also equipped with tamper-proof MagnaSafe Technology which prevents the sharpener from working when the shavings tray is not in place – this feature, which is highly appreciated by users, prevents the pencil shavings getting everywhere and making a mess if the tray is not properly inserted.

A handheld, manual sharpener is the simplest of all artists’ sharpening tools. These basic sharpeners are usually made from metal, plastic or wood and are likely to be the types of sharpeners you might have first enountered at school. This type of sharpener is commonly available with either a single or double hole. Single hole sharpeners have one aperture – usually this will fit a standard pencil. However, there are single hole sharpeners that have a larger hole suitable for jumbo pencils (like the M+R Giant Pencil Sharpener) or for uniquely shaped pencils (like the Lyra Groove Sharpeners). Double hole sharpeners usually have one aperture for standard pencils and another for larger than standard pencils. Reservoir Pencil SharpenersSome types of pencil require different types of pencil sharpeners. If you’re using larger or smaller than standard pencils you might need to get a sharpener with a different size hole. Some soft lead pencils may also require a blade that is a more gentle to avoid chips and broken leads. Soft leaded pencils, like pastel pencils, require a delicate touch. Use a standard sharpener and you could end up with a chewed up pencil and a pile of pastel powder. 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. Like with most other sharpeners, you’ll begin sharpening your pencil by placing it in the aperture at the front. With a crank sharpener the pencil is held in the hole using a clip mechanism that releases from the front of the machine. You can usually activate this via a pincer grip that protrudes slightly from the top of the sharpener. As you turn the crank the pencil will feed into the sharpener. In some models the feeding mechanism will stop automatically once the pencil is sharp. Detail of the point adjustment tool on a manual crank sharpener. Within our electric sharpener range we have both battery powered (using AAA or AA batteries) and dual powered which allows you to plug it into the mains or PC via a USB cable. These tend to have an auto stop feature meaning it will automatically stop when the pencils lead is sharp. These are more heavy duty than the alternatives.

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. Manual crank sharpeners, also sometimes referred to as helical sharpeners, have a completely different sharpening mechanism to pencil sharpeners with a single blade. These pencil sharpeners tend to be large and often bulky, so not very portable or suitable for outdoor work. You’re best keeping them in the studio, or in a room where you prefer to create your artwork. You can also mount most of our models onto a desk, giving them a bit more stability during sharpening. Detail of the pincer mechanism on a manual crank sharpener. Like with a canister sharpener, the bin will need emptying regularly. We hope this article helps you find a great sharpenerSome crank sharpeners also include a tool to adjust the length of the point on your pencil – so you can choose anything from a super sharp, long point to a short, more blunt point. This mechanism is usually controlled through an adjustable screw at the base of the handle. Helical Sharpeners don’t really have a ‘blade’ as such. Instead they have a cylindrical barrel cut with a spiral pattern. This barrel moves around your pencil when you turn the crank, griding against pencil to remove the wood casing and sharpen the tip to a fine point. They’re a lot more heavy duty than a single blade sharpener, and much better for sharpening high volumes of pencils. Simple Manual Pencil Sharpeners 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 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.

Coming from a trusted and reliable brand, it goes without saying that the X-ACTO XLR Electric Pencil Sharpener would make the list. First of all, this pencil sharpener is known for its simple and stylish look which fits seamlessly into the décor of most homes and offices. Beyond that, it has been commended for its PencilSaver technology which prevents over-sharpening, thereby minimizing waste and extending the pencil’s life. This single hole sharpener has a lightweight magnesium blade and a sturdy glass jar to catch the pencil shavings. Pencil Shavings should be long and continuous from a sharpener with a good blade. If you find that your sharpenings are breaking off into small, jagged shards then your blade will probably need replacing.The humble pencil sharpener is an age-old accessory that no artist should be without. Some artists prefer the hands on approach of a manual sharpener that puts you firmly in control. Other artists, especially prolific pencil users, may prefer to save time and use an electric sharpening machine. There’s so much choice available, and so many different types of pencils, that it can be mind boggling trying to find the best sharpener for your materials. Here we compare our sharpeners side by side to help you select the perfect one. A: The number of batteries required in a pencil sharpener varies from one to the other. However, most sharpeners typically use 4 size AA batteries. It is always advisable to keep a few extra around for when the batteries need to get replaced. Q: Are electric pencil sharpeners noisy? 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. The M&R Triple Function Three Hole Pencil Sharpener has three separate holes for sharpening standard pencils. Each hole has a different length of blade for different sharpening methods. One hole works like a standard sharpener, while the second removes just the wood and the third sharpens just the lead. It allows you full control over the point on your pencils.

A blunt blade can damage your pencil and leave a less than satisfactory point on the lead. But how can you tell if a sharpener is blunt? Two good indicators are the wood around the point of your pencil and the shape and size of your sharpenings. While most of us think of standard school-issued No. 2s when the word pencil comes to mind, pencils come in more than one shape or size. Pay attention to this when selecting the right pencil sharpener for the diameter of pencils that you habitually use. There are dedicated pencil sharpeners for every type of pencil, from the most basic to those favored by artists who want to achieve specifically honed points on their graphite or charcoal pencils. There’s a more complex mechanism in a helical sharpener, so they can be a bit more difficult to maintain. If you find that a helical sharpener isn’t working as it should it’s quite possible that there is loose lead caught in the blade. You should be able to release the helical blade by unscrewing it via the crank. Remove the blade and dust it gently with a paint brush or other brush to get rid of any loose fragments. Some debris can be more difficult to shift. If you find a brush isn’t getting rid of it, try tapping the sharpener firmly on a solid surface. This should jolt the debris free. If your blade is clean but no longer sharpening well it’s probably time to replace the machine or buy a new blade where available. This double-hole sharpener is suitable for use with 7 mm and 9 mm pencils. It is light and very economical. 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.

What is a Reservoir Sharpener?

If you're using pencils at home, work, or school, chances are that you'll need to keep them sharpened to keep your writing and drawing at its best. Our range of pencil sharpeners are available in different styles. Whether you prefer a more classic look, or novelty, we have you covered at Ryman®. 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. This sharpener is small, economical and portable. Like many of the plastic pencil sharpeners we sell, the colour of the item might vary. Light weight and anti-slip: only 133g, the electric pencil sharpeners are as heavy as 2 eggs, lightweight and convenient to take in bags.anti-slip bottom designm, release your hand from holding the electronic pencil sharpener during using. With repeated use over a long time, the blade on this sharpener will wear down and become blunt. Replacement blades can be found here.