Let's talk pencil sharpeners...

[My4arrows]

Our electric sharpener died after three years of good use and we are in need of a new one. Of course I can't find the one we already had so I'm looking for recommendations. Although I'd probably prefer the good old hand operated crank, for now that's not going to work for us.

[Guest]

 

Although I'd probably prefer the good old hand operated crank, for now that's not going to work for us.

 

 

Are you absolutely sure?

 

I wanted a nice. modern electric one and wound up with one of these:

 

http://www.classroomfriendlysupplies.com/

 

and it is so awesome!

[sweetpea3829]

I'm with IEF....go with a hand-crank.  And specifically, that one that they posted.  We bought one, after numerous issues with coloring pencils, and have been pleased.  It sharpens very nicely and WHEN a coloring pencil tip breaks (because they always do), it's fairly easy to dislodge the piece stuck inside.  

 

We have loved ours.  

[happypamama]

Honestly, we went through a couple of battery-operated ones and finally just went with a crank one also.  We have a couple of them; one is this metal one that I got from Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/X-Acto-Table-Wall-Mount-Pencil-Sharpener/dp/B00006IEDY), and it is screw-mounted to a wall upstairs.  I also have this one in blue: http://www.staples.com/X-Acto-Bulldog-Manual-Vacuum-Mount-Pencil-Sharpener-Smoke-Gray/product_432675?cid=PS:GooglePLAs:432675&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=432675&KPID=432675&lsft=cid:PS-_-GooglePLAs-_-432675,kpid:432675,adtype:pla,channel:online&gclid=CJiXh7zq3ssCFQuPaQod9lAFrQ  It is less adjustable than the metal one, but it mounts via vacuum instead of screw, which I wanted for my desk.  I haven't had it very long, but it seems to work quite well, as does the metal one.

[EmilyGF]

We also killed a few electric ones before going with the hand-operated crank one linked above. I love it. Built like a tank.

Emily

[73349]

First, make sure to choose good pencils--any sharpener will shred bad pencils.

 

I like the little manual sharpeners. They're quiet and effective.

[Kuovonne]

I agree. After going through several electric pencil sharpeners, I finally got a cheap hand-crank pencil sharpener from Walmart and screwed it into place. It is still going strong after several years. I would not go with a vacuum mounted one--those never stayed in place for me.

 

I've sharpened 20 pencils in a row with it when I bought a new pack of unsharpened pencils for a co-op class.

(Yes, it's sad that I had to provide pencils for my co-op class, but that's another issue.)

[blondchen]

http://www.classroomfriendlysupplies.com/

 

and it is so awesome!

Yep, this one is absolutely awesome.

[mamiof5]

I know this is really important... but I love many colors and always struggle choosing one. For those who own the one linked above (the first link), what color do you have? Does it match the color displayed online? (Drives me batty when I order something, certain color, and when I get it it looks totally different) :)

[sweetpea3829]

I know this is really important... but I love many colors and always struggle choosing one. For those who own the one linked above (the first link), what color do you have? Does it match the color displayed online? (Drives me batty when I order something, certain color, and when I get it it looks totally different) :)

 

 

I have the blue one and the color in the picture is accurate.  

[My4arrows]

I will say I may have been convinced...I like the one posted. And colors oh my!

 

Does it need to be permanently screwed onto a desktop or can it still work well and not be?

[purduemeche]

We went to hand crank and won't go back.  :)

[Beaniemom]

I have the green and the color was accurate. We don't have it attached to anything and it works for us.

[sweetpea3829]

I will say I may have been convinced...I like the one posted. And colors oh my!

 

Does it need to be permanently screwed onto a desktop or can it still work well and not be?

It does come with a clamp to lock it down, but we have found it easier to just sit it on the tabletop. That way the kids can easily bring it to me if a lead tip gets jammed.

[chaya]

I have an old electric one that my father in law purchased in the '70's. if and when it dies, I will either stalk ebay for another old one, or move to hand crank. the newer electric ones we've tried have all been poorly made and didnt sharpen nicely.

[mamiof5]

I have an old electric one that my father in law purchased in the '70's. if and when it dies, I will either stalk ebay for another old one, or move to hand crank. the newer electric ones we've tried have all been poorly made and didnt sharpen nicely.

I find it irritating how stuff made decades ago had a better quality, and a fraction of the price than stuff now. Can't stand it! :(

ETA: with today's technology, compared to what we had before?? It really makes me mad. Hope your old, faithful sharpener keeps working much, much longer!! :)

Edited March 28, 2016 by mamiof5

[lleyubiea]

I love it. Built like a tank.

[JudoMom]

I have two of the sharpeners linked. I bought one and received one for review on 2012. Both are still going strong and I still love them. Here's my review: http://larsonboysacademy.blogspot.com/2012/08/classroom-friendly-pencil-sharpener.html?m=1

[Jess4879]

We have a Royal P50 Electric sharpener and it's got a lifetime warranty on the blade.  We are on our second one.  When we had issues with the first, the company immediately sent us an entirely new sharpener.  :)

 

Forgot to add, we bought it at Walmart on sale.  It looks like they have a new model out now. 

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Royal-Consumer-P70-Electric-Pencil-Sharpener/32782212

Edited March 28, 2016 by Jess4879

[wintermom]

I went through the phase of electric (failed), and now have had years of complete success with the little portable Staedler ones. They can be easily popped into a pencil case to bring anywhere, and they are 100% reliable and never need new batteries. They're quiet, and cheap, and you can have multiple ones at the table for easy use. WalMart carries them, too.

 

 

 

 

[emmaluv+2more]

Yet another supporter of the one linked in the first reply.  It is by far the best sharpener we have tried. 

[KrissiK]

We've tried all sorts of sharpeners over the years. And I buy.... The little cheap ones from Walmart. What's even better is those little 1" brightly colored star shaped or round sharpeners kids can get in the "treasure box" at the dentist. And I also started buying Ticonderoga pencils. Now, my pencil problems are solved!

[Suzanne115]

We've had this one for 2-3 years and it has been great: http://www.amazon.com/School-Smart-Vertical-Sharpener-Electric/dp/B003U6VSHU

 

Suzanne

[Mom2Es]

We have an electric Bostitch that worked great for about a year but I've about decided I hate it.  It only sharpens one side of the pencil and is kind of finicky.

 

I'm planning to try either the one that was mentioned in the first comment or this one next:  UNI KH-20 Hand Crank Pencil Sharpener

[My4arrows]

Well I have to say that I have been convinced and am getting the one from the first post. Good old crank! I even had a friend offer me a free electric one and I declined saying I had my eye on that one :)

[Wabi Sabi]

We've had this one for three years now and it's still going strong. We LOVE it.  It's basically the same sharpener as others have posted, but it was a bit cheaper and free shipping with my Amazon prime: 

http://www.amazon.com/CARL-Angel-5-Pencil-Sharpener-Red/dp/B005D7S9P8?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

[Southern Ivy]

Back in January, I ordered this one for my classroom. Since then, everyone else on my grade level team has bought one. It's the best electric sharpener I've used in the classroom. 
Typically, sharpeners are great for 3 months, then slowly start getting dull or sharpening at weird angles. This beast is still going strong. I'm taking it with me when I leave here. I love it so much! 

ETA: I can sharpen around 100 pencils in about 8 minutes with it. Normally, my pencil sharpeners would over heat after half a box. 

Edited April 1, 2016 by Southern Ivy

[blondchen]

I know this is really important... but I love many colors and always struggle choosing one. For those who own the one linked above (the first link), what color do you have? Does it match the color displayed online? (Drives me batty when I order something, certain color, and when I get it it looks totally different) :)

I have the red one and it looks the same as the online photo.

 

I will say I may have been convinced...I like the one posted. And colors oh my!

 

Does it need to be permanently screwed onto a desktop or can it still work well and not be?

It works perfectly for us unmounted, which is a good thing because I wouldn't want a mounted one. We have a small house and do school in our breakfast room, so I don't want any gadgets in there that I have to stare at all the time (I hate clutter!). I keep it in a cabinet when not in use. I should mention that the rubber feet did start wearing out after a while, but I just took them off and don't put it down on our wooden table (it's fine on the countertop). I need to get some new rubber thingies, come to think of it.