Pencil sharpeners are pretty lame right? The generic pencil sharpener is one dollar. Does it even matter which sharpener you use?
Here are 3 clear indications that you need to replace your pencil sharpener:
- The lead cracks during sharpening
- The wood casing begins to splinter at the tip (or worse the crack extends down the pencil)
- Signs of increased resistance while rotating the pencil during sharpening
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Pencil sharpeners recently came up when my go-to sharpener started failing me. For those curious, it’s Staedtler Double-hole Tub Pencil Sharpener. Never in my life have I used a pencil sharpener to the point that I needed to look for replacement blades (typically I lose them within a year). To my surprise I found out that Staedtler does not sell replacement blades. And with a bit more research, I learned that the vast majority of companies do not sell blades. Most companies make slight modifications to their blades so that a generic blade would not be compatible with their specific model.
I came to the realization that I had a replacement blade already. The larger of the two sharpeners was never used so that blade was basically brand new. I swapped out the blades between the 8 mm and 10.5 mm sharpeners and voila! Problem solved. The only tool required was a standard Phillips screwdriver.
In my last Dick Blick shipment I ordered a random sharpener I came across made by a company called Kum. They made a special long point sharpener and have a 2-step method to sharpening to get the finest point I’ve ever seen. So, I had to try it. And after I got it, I realized that making a pencil sharpener review might be something interesting to document.
For comparison, I’ve sharpened 3 Prismacolor pencils and 3 Caran d’Ache Luminance pencils with each of my pencil sharpeners – Staedtler, Prismacolor, and Kum.
Overall pick:
If I had to pick just one, I would choose the Staedtler because it’s the most reliable one that I can trust to throw in my bag and go. Although I do enjoy the very fine tip I can achieve from the Kum sharpener, I can only really take advantage of this feature with my Luminance pencils. Currently the majority of my works are done in Prismacolor so I don’t find myself reaching for the Kum sharpener.
Pencil sharpeners in this article are listed below (may contain affiliate links):
- Staedtler Double-hole Tub Pencil Sharpener
- KUM Long Point Sharpener
- Prismacolor Premier Pencil Sharpener
Was this review helpful? What’s your favorite method of sharpening pencils?
You have saved me some time. Thank you for the news that Staetdler do not supply replacement blades.
This is despite the fact that on their website they mention the need to replace blades when the lead breaks in the sharpener. Weasels!
I have a Dux (Made in Germany) 2 hole sharpener with large shaving holder . It comes with 2 spare blades and more are available (https://cultpens.com/collections/dux#)
I shall now bin my now useless 2 hole Staetdler and revert to the Dux.
Regards
Thanks for sharing your experience, Dujo. Since this post I’ve used Mobius and Ruppert (also German-made) brass sharpeners almost exclusively. It looks very similar to the Dux model you linked. In the U.S., Dux replacement blades are a lot more expensive than Cult Pens so I’ll be sticking with Mobius and Ruppert for now. I’ll have my European art friends check out Dux if they need a new sharpener!
I tried the KUM 530A replacement blade on my Staedtler Noris sharpener. Didn’t work : ( . Thanks for your research looks like a new Staedtler needs to be purchased
I’m sorry to hear that your Staedtler will need to be replaced Giovanni. I wish more companies would sell replacement blades!