Pencil sharpener + colored pencils recommendation

[4KookieKids]

Ok. I realize this is probably about the dumbest post ever. But I've bought half a dozen pencil sharpeners in the last 8 months, and they work like... well... they don't work well, we'll just say.

 

I have young-ish kids (6,4), but I'd like them to be able to use it independently, so I tried battery ones (after their grip strength failed them repeatedly on manual ones). But I didn't go with corded ones because I'd *rather* not have to be plugging it in all the time (we do school at the table, and everything goes into a cabinet when not in use). The battery ones work really well with fresh batteries, but peter out very quickly.

 

Is it more likely I need a better sharpener, or better pencils themselves?

 

While we're on the topic: I'd like to get my kids a good set of colored pencils (Crayola and RoseArt have been pretty disappointing this year). Anything tried and true?

 

ETA: From reading reviews on Amazon, it seems a lot of sharpeners struggle to handle colored pencils... so I'd especially love to hear from folks who love theirs and use lots of colored pencils in it!

Edited April 14, 2016 by deanna1ynne

[sweetpea3829]

This is the best pencil sharpener out there.  No really...it is!  I always wanted an electric but...they always end up not working well.  I can't tell you how many times I've had to throw away pencil sharpeners that only sharpen on one side of the pencil.  That's actually not just the sharpener's fault...it's the pencil, too...uneven lead...but a good sharpener can overcome that.  

 

That said...the linked sharpener is a little tricky for little hands.  It's really not bad...but it takes some getting used to.  And it doesn't come with directions....so here they are.  Squeeze the black tabs close together, pull that tab plate out...insert your pencil, release the tabs and sharpen.  It sharpens fast and very well.  So don't overdo it, or you'll waste the pencil.  

 

When you're done...squeeze the tabs, release your pencil, voila!

 

 

Now...as for colored pencils...aside from the expensive coloring pencils...I have found Crayola to be the best of the "meh".  LOL.  Do not, under any circumstance, buy CraZArt.  Just don't even waste your money.  The leads break WAY too easily and I can easily sharpen a brand new one down to a nub within a matter of minutes because of it.  

 

At the end of the day...coloring pencils + sharpeners are almost always going to end up frustrating you.  The sharpener I linked does "OK" with coloring pencils.  I can get a nice tip.  But...I have found that I really need to baby the handle...otherwise, the lead will break right off and jam the blades.  On the plus side..it's pretty easy to unjam the blades if you have a sharp pointy object.  I use my husband's precision screwdriver.  (SHHHHH!!!!)  

 

I know some folks find coloring pencils to be more easily sharpened with the little manual sharpeners.  I don't have that experience...lol.  

 

But I can promise you...you will love the sharpener I linked.  It's really a great little sharpener.  I've had ours for almost two years now and haven't once wanted to throw it against the wall.  That's pretty big!  

 

:-)  

[Arcadia]

My kids still like their Crayola Twistables but they use it for foreign language worksheets and not for Art. No sharpening required so they bring a pack to their outsourced B&M language classes.

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000GYZ2CG

 

ETA:

For sharpening pencils, we use the electic sharpener at the library's copy room. We just bring the pencils along on our trip to the library.

Edited April 14, 2016 by Arcadia

[TriciaT]

I have no sharpener recommendations. I need some recs myself!

 

Colored pencils we love: bic(made in France), Lyra Ferby (Fat triangular pencils made in Germany) or staedler (made in Germany). These all have lead that doesn't break so easily. With pencils like crayola, sometimes the lead is already broken inside the pencil, so sharpening is a pain in the neck.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Melissa Beth]

My kids are 5 and 3 and we use and love this one: http://www.amazon.com/Staedtler-Manual-Sharpener-STD51163-Packaging/dp/B001E6C08E?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpageIt cracked me up that a pencil sharpener got over 1,000 reviews on Amazon but I guess a lot of people are in search of the perfect pencil sharpener!

 

They use it independently and for colored pencils.

 

The Crayola colored pencils had been breaking a lot on us and weren't very vibrant so on a whim I bough the generic ones at Hobby Lobby and they have worked a lot better for us. I also read somewhere that after awhile colored pencils build up a waxy coat on the pencil sharpener that occasionally sharpening a graphite pencil in between will clean off and that seems to work for us also!

[regentrude]

I am happy with Staedtler colored pencils.

I import my (small manual) pencil sharpeners from Germany because I have not found one here that is not awful. Something like these  http://www.amazon.com/Staedtler-Double-Pencil-Sharpener-Yellow/dp/B017WICELK/ref=sr_1_38?ie=UTF8&qid=1460636640&sr=8-38&keywords=staedtler+pencil

[RootAnn]

Electric sharpeners have never worked for us, so my recommendation won't be very helpful. We use the alvin Brass one. We have about 4-5 of them in little containers around the house. DD#2 is an artist & goes through a LOT of colored pencils. The other kids (ages 6-14) use them with no issue, but everyone's mileage varies. I have to change the blade on them every so often.

 

We use Prismacolor Premiers. We've tried a bunch of others - and have a bunch of others in our house for the kids to use during fun time. The Prismacolors are the ones I buy (on sale) for school.

[4KookieKids]

I am happy with Staedtler colored pencils.

I import my (small manual) pencil sharpeners from Germany because I have not found one here that is not awful. Something like these  http://www.amazon.com/Staedtler-Double-Pencil-Sharpener-Yellow/dp/B017WICELK/ref=sr_1_38?ie=UTF8&qid=1460636640&sr=8-38&keywords=staedtler+pencil

 

Yeah - I've actually just been considering buying my kids little mäppchen like I had growing up because I don't remember these issues with pencils and sharpeners, and plus - then they'd all be responsible for their own supplies and I wouldn't have to listen to them argue about who used the pencils *last* and should have to clean them up now... lol!

 

I'll look into the ones you recommended. Thanks!! :)

[AdventuresinHomeschooling]

Still hunting for a good pencil sharpener.

 

Prismacolor are the best colored pencils for art. However, I bought my son some Artist Loft at Michael's more affordably, and we have been pretty impressed with them.

[...................]

Prismacolors with their prismacolor sharpener- best pencils, best sharpener, worth every penny as long as you reach your kids to appreciate the fine quality.

 

(As a side note good quality art materials are Always worth the money. Name brand crayolas crayons and markers, prismacolor pencils, good paper etc)

 

As to a REGULAR pencil sharpener Classroom Friendly Supplies Sharpener is absolutely the best

Edited April 14, 2016 by Calming Tea

[...................]

http://www.classroomfriendlysupplies.com

[Emba]

Even good (Prismacolor) colored pencils will get broken lead inside sometimes.  It can help to put them into a 200 degree F oven for  a few (like 2 or 3) minutes, then let them cool.  The lead warms up and melts back together, I guess.

 

I don't buy Prismacolor pencils for my kids to use, though, because of the cost.  I have found the generic Hobby Lobby or Michael brands to be good enough, better than Crayola, and for sure better than Crazy Art (or whatever crazy way they spell that).

 

I also have a tiny Staedtler manual sharpener that works very well, and cost around $2 at Hobby Lobby, I think.

[...................]

PS you should not use the Classroom Friendly SHarpener on Prismacolors or Steadtlers (or however you spell that.) The soft "lead" inside colored pencils is different than the lead in a pencil.

 

Also, a good pencil will break less.  Ticonderoga break a lot less than cheap pencils and are worth the money.  (Sadly they break a lot more often than they used to since the manufacturing was moved to Mexico.)

 

Some people have infinite patience with cheap school supplies.  I do not and my kids are worse than me. It is very very frustraing when you are concentraiting to have your pencil break, or when you are in the creative mood to have cheap quality stuff that breaks, etc.  Miraculously my kids have always appreciated their art supplies and taken good care of them, especially my daughter.  My son can't handle too many so he just has one small case of Prismacolors and that's his go-to for everything from Perabolas in math to drawing to a quick Science sketch.  :o)

[Kareni]

As for quality art pencils:  my daughter's favorites (received in 6th grade and still used post college) are: 

 

LYRA Waldorf Selection Unlacquered Triangular Giant Colored Pencils, Set of 12 Super Ferby

 

Regards,

Kareni

[birchbark]

We have been happily using these pencils and this sharpener for years.

 

 

[Guest]

Anyone mention Lyra Color Giants yet? Last forever. Dick Blick carries them as does Paper, Scissors, Stone. Worth every penny. My kids are still using our first ones from almost 10 yrs ago now.

Edited April 15, 2016 by Paradox5

[HS Mom in NC]

I've homeschooled for 16 years and owned quite a few electric pencil sharpeners before I finally just switched to mechanical pencils and never looked back.  I buy shocking amounts of them when they're cheap during back to school sales.

[sweetpea3829]

I've homeschooled for 16 years and owned quite a few electric pencil sharpeners before I finally just switched to mechanical pencils and never looked back.  I buy shocking amounts of them when they're cheap during back to school sales.

 

Yes...we switched to mechanical pencils, too.  It's not a perfect solution, though.  Certain...ahem...students...go through large quantities of lead.  

[Maus]

We like Prang and Lyra for colored pencils, and K.U.M. for a handheld sharpener. (I read here on the forums several years ago to buy a sharpener with a German made blade, which led us to K.U.M.)

[foxbridgeacademy]

Just purchased a set of 72 Marco Rafines from Amazon.  They're a bit soft but no breakage and cover great.  I took many art/drawing classes in College and always used Prismacolor.  These are not as good but almost and the set of 72 was only $22+/-.  As for a sharpener I use a small metal one, like this, cheap but very effective.