Pencil Sharpeners
A pencil sharpener is a small metal gadget that enables wooden pencils and coloured pencils to stay sharp. Along with erasers, they are a ubiquitous part of any pencil case. Your sharpener determines how well your pencil will write.
How does a pencil sharpener work?
Shaving off wood around the pencil tip, a sharpener keeps the pencil tip sharp and pointed. Broadly speaking, sharpeners are available in two types:
- Electric – These have an interior motor which makes the razor rotate and sharpen the pencil quickly.
- Hand-operated – When you turn the pencil manually, the razor shaves the wood and graphite from the sides of your pencil.
Choosing the right sharpener
There are many factors to consider when choosing a pencil sharpener. Some include: whether you have wooden pencils or coloured pencils, the type and quality of the pencil, what it is used for and more.
Here are some things to keep in mind when purchasing a sharpener.
- Shape – Wooden pencils and colour pencils come in circular, triangular and hexagonal shapes. Generally, all pencil sharpeners can accommodate these shapes. However, some sharpeners are made for specific shapes.
- Size – The standard size accommodates a pencil with a diameter of 8mm. However, there are larger sharpeners, designed for pencils up to 10.5mm wide.
- Lead point – Also consider how pointed you prefer your lead. Some sharpeners produce sharp, pointed tips. And others produce a blunt, rounded tip.
- Sharpening angle – Different sharpeners sharpen lead at different angles. For example, a 79-degree angle shows more lead, while a 74-degree angle shows less.
At Bunbougu, you’ll find the best pencil sharpeners to keep your wooden, colour or Japanese pencils sharp.
