Pencil sharpeners

[Harlan Barnhart]

I am looking for a quality pencil sharpener. I once used an old cast hand cranked model that would put a point on like I have never seen before or since. Unfortunately I can't remember the brand. Does anyone have one in their shop that works exceptionally well?

[Dave Beauchesne]

I am looking for a quality pencil sharpener. I once used an old cast hand cranked model that would put a point on like I have never seen before or since. Unfortunately I can't remember the brand. Does anyone have one in their shop that works exceptionally well?

Harlan:

APSCO were the ones we had in school as a kid - six holes, quarter turn to remove the shavings - Google APSCO PENCIL SHARPENER

Dave Beauchesne

[Gary Herrmann]

I've got an old Boston pencil sharpener in my shop.

[Allan Speers]

I've got an old Boston pencil sharpener in my shop.

Same here.

You can't beat the coolness factor, esp if you're a galoot.



Odd thing, though: I tried to sharpen my mechanical pencil with it, and it made this strange grinding noise.
Maybe it needs new bearings?

[george wilson]

I used those type paddles in the beginning 60's when I was taking drafting in college.

[ian maybury]

Must say I've always used a sharp knife, or better still a sharp chisel - sharpeners tend to put too short a point on for my taste for a lot of draughting jobs and the like...

[Chris Parks]

Heresy time, I sharpen a carpenters pencil on the side of a bench grinder wheel, ten seconds and I have a chisel point that will cut the skin it is so sharp and fine. It depends on what I am marking as to what pencil I use, dark woods a soft one etc. This method gets the pencil as sharp as a marking knife and just as fine. If a hard leaded pencil is used it will actually cut into the wood as a knife does.

[Brian Holcombe]

I use a fine mechanical pencil

I find .3mm fine enough, but I like the white 'lead' idea I may put that to use!

[Dave Cullen]

I use a fine mechanical pencil

I find .3mm fine enough, but I like the white 'lead' idea I may put that to use!

Me too. I have a .5 mm that's the go-to, and a .3mm for fine stuff. But for carpentry I'll either use a flat carpenter's pencil sharpened with a knife, or the standard old #2 stuck into an electric sharpener from Staples.

[Maurice Ungaro]

If you've never tried a 2mm sharpened to a fine point, you might want to try it. Held in a lead holder, it is very sturdy, and offers much less breakage.

[Maurice Ungaro]

Heresy time, I sharpen a carpenters pencil on the side of a bench grinder wheel, ten seconds and I have a chisel point that will cut the skin it is so sharp and fine. It depends on what I am marking as to what pencil I use, dark woods a soft one etc. This method gets the pencil as sharp as a marking knife and just as fine. If a hard leaded pencil is used it will actually cut into the wood as a knife does.

Nice idea, Chris! I'm still unpacking my shop, and plan on setting up my sharpening station today. I'll give it a whirl.

[Russell Johnson]

Harlan, Walmart carries the Xacto brand sharpeners like they have in schools. It's about $6-8 and does a great job. It also has a suction base so it can be put away when no needed. Thing is all plastic but has taken a good beating from my 3 year old with no issues as of yet.

[Ernie Miller]

I was given this as a "going to school" present when I was four years old. That makes it 62 years old. I use it everyday and don't know what I'd do without it. You can keep your plastic, guaranteed to break, electric powered pieces of junk. This one is built to last - the way things used to be built. Made by Boston (Boston Champion).

Ernie

[Mitchell Garnett]

After trying less expensive sharpeners, I bought the "X-Acto Ranger 55 Table or Wall-Mount Heavy-Duty Pencil Sharpener." I now have two - one in the house and one in the shop. Highly recommended. Should be able to find around $32.

[Derek Cohen]

Well believe it or not, I have a review on my website!

http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ToolRev...blepencil.html

Regards from Perth

Derek