Pencil Sharpeners

Which Pencil Sharpener Should You Choose?

For standard pencils and colored pencils, a simple manual pencil sharpener is often sufficient. If many pencils need sharpening throughout the day, such as in a classroom, a model with a shavings container or an electric pencil sharpener may be a more convenient option.

Manual Pencil Sharpeners and Dual-Hole Sharpeners

A manual pencil sharpener is easy to keep in a pencil case or desk drawer. Models with a built-in container collect the shavings, so you don't have to empty them directly onto the desk.

If you use pencils of different thicknesses, a dual-hole sharpener can be a practical choice. It has two openings for different pencil diameters, for example standard graphite pencils and thicker colored pencils.

Electric Pencil Sharpeners

An electric pencil sharpener can be a good choice when many pencils need to be sharpened regularly. You don't have to turn the pencil by hand, which is practical in schools and workplaces where the sharpener is used frequently.

Consider the Pencil Diameter

Not all pencil sharpeners fit all pencils. Standard pencils often have a diameter of around 7–8 mm, while some colored pencils and specialty pencils are thicker.

Therefore, check which pencil diameters the sharpener is designed for before buying. This is particularly important if you need to sharpen both standard and thicker pencils.