{"id":4891,"date":"2021-08-13T08:00:59","date_gmt":"2021-08-13T07:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thepencompany.live\/blog\/?p=4891"},"modified":"2021-08-05T10:37:10","modified_gmt":"2021-08-05T09:37:10","slug":"five-ways-to-sharpen-a-pencil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thepencompany.live\/blog\/pencils\/five-ways-to-sharpen-a-pencil\/","title":{"rendered":"Five ways to sharpen a pencil"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4893 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thepencompany.live\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sharpened-yellow-pencil-shavings-1024x655.jpg\" alt=\"A freshly sharpened yellow wooden pencil with pencil shavings, on a white background\" width=\"650\" height=\"416\" \/><\/p>\n<p>You might be reading this and thinking, \u2018surely there\u2019s only one way to sharpen a pencil?\u2019 \u2014 in which case, prepare for your eyes to be opened to a whole new world!<\/p>\n<p>Otherwise, the chances are you are reading this because you know there are various ways to sharpen a pencil, and you would love to know which will work best for the pencils you use most often.<\/p>\n<p>Either way, let\u2019s jump in and explore how to sharpen a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thepencompany.live\/pencils\/\">pencil<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A handheld sharpener<\/h2>\n<p>A handheld sharpener is probably what pops into your mind when someone mentions sharpening a pencil.<\/p>\n<p>Handheld sharpeners are small and therefore convenient to carry around in a pencil case for quick and easy sharpening jobs on the go.<\/p>\n<p>This type of sharpener is no good for pastel pencils, but a quality handheld sharpener is ideal for the quick sharpening of graphite and colouring pencils when you&#8217;re away from your desk.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t be tempted by 10p plastic sharpeners though; invest a little more in a high-quality sharpener for a tool you can rely on.<\/p>\n<p>A good handheld sharpener to own is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thepencompany.live\/product\/staedtler-metal-double-hole-pencil-sharpener\/\">Staedtler Metal Double Hole Pencil Sharpener<\/a>. It has sharp blades and performs well; when the blades become duller, you can replace them to keep the sharpener performing at its best.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019d recommend only purchasing sharpeners you can replace the blades of because a blunt blade is useless for sharpening and can cause more harm than good.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thepencompany.live\/product\/staedtler-metal-double-hole-pencil-sharpener\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-4894\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thepencompany.live\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/staedtler-handheld-pencil-sharpener.jpg\" alt=\"The Staedtler metal double hole pencil sharpener\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A mechanical pencil sharpener<\/h2>\n<p>When you\u2019re at home, a mechanical pencil sharpener is ideal for the successful sharpening of graphite and coloured pencils.<\/p>\n<p>Due to their size, mechanical pencil sharpeners aren\u2019t ideal for carrying with you when drawing or writing outside of the home, but they do an excellent job in the home.<\/p>\n<p>Many artists and creatives enjoy using mechanical sharpeners because they feel in control of the process \u2014 they can stop turning the handle when they like, and there is often a way to choose the type of point required.<\/p>\n<p>Another benefit to this sharpener type is the lack of mess, as the curls of wood and graphite are caught in the collection box.<\/p>\n<p>Favourites from our range of mechanical pencil sharpeners include the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thepencompany.live\/product\/staedtler-mars-2mm-lead-pointer-tub\/\">Staedtler Mars 502 Lead Pointer<\/a> (which you can read a review of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thepencompany.live\/blog\/expert-advice\/a-review-of-the-staedtler-mars-502-lead-pointer-pencil-sharpener\/\">here<\/a>) and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thepencompany.live\/product\/caran-d-ache-sharpening-machine\/\">Caran d\u2019Ache Sharpening Machine<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thepencompany.live\/product\/caran-d-ache-sharpening-machine\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-4895\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thepencompany.live\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/carandache-sharpening-machine.jpeg\" alt=\"The Caran d'Ache sharpening machine\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 An electric pencil sharpener<\/h2>\n<p>Similar in looks and size to a mechanical pencil sharpener, electric pencil sharpeners are a faster alternative for graphite and colouring pencils; insert the end of the pencil into the machine, and the job is done for you.<\/p>\n<p>Some pencil users love electric sharpeners, but some don\u2019t enjoy the speed and lack of control they have over the process.<\/p>\n<p>There are two types of electric sharpener: battery-operated and plug-in.<\/p>\n<h2>4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A craft knife<\/h2>\n<p>A craft knife is recommended for the sharpening of charcoal pencils, pastel pencils, and carbon pencils.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re wondering how to sharpen a pencil with a knife, you start by exposing the lead, and you do this lower down the pencil than you would think \u2014 around an inch should work well.<\/p>\n<p>Once the lead is fully exposed, you can either refine it with the knife if that\u2019s all you have to hand (which can take a long time) or use a sanding block to achieve the perfect pencil tip in seconds.<\/p>\n<p>While less convenient than the alternatives, the craft knife method is preferred by many because it is a hands-on method that enables the user to create the perfect point for their specific task \u2014 whether it needs to be fine and pointed or long and tapered.<\/p>\n<p>A craft knife is a great example of how to sharpen a pencil without a sharpener and is, therefore, the preferred method of many a tradesperson and adventurer, too.<\/p>\n<p>Please note that this method produces a fine mess, so be ready to clean your blade and pencil afterwards.<\/p>\n<p>If you would like to give this method a go, then start with cheap pencils \u2014 it can be easy to break pencils until you get the hang of it.<\/p>\n<h2>5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 An integrated sharpener<\/h2>\n<p>Some pencils have an integrated sharpener, such as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thepencompany.live\/product\/graf-von-faber-castell-perfect-pencil\/\">Graf von Faber-Castell Perfect Pencil<\/a> range, which conceals a sharpener within the pencil extender section.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thepencompany.live\/product\/graf-von-faber-castell-perfect-pencil\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-4896\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thepencompany.live\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/graf-von-faber-castell-perfect-pencil-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"The Graf von Faber-Castell Perfect Pencil (graphite) in Brown\" width=\"650\" height=\"650\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re a fan of pencils, you might enjoy reading our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thepencompany.live\/blog\/pencils\/a-guide-to-pencil-lead-grades\/\">guide to pencil lead grades<\/a> next.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You might be reading this and thinking, \u2018surely there\u2019s only one way to sharpen a pencil?\u2019 \u2014 in which case, prepare for your eyes to &#8230; <a title=\"Five ways to sharpen a pencil\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thepencompany.live\/blog\/pencils\/five-ways-to-sharpen-a-pencil\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Five ways to sharpen a pencil\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":4893,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4891","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pencils","infinite-scroll-item","masonry-post","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33","resize-featured-image"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Five ways to sharpen a pencil - The Pen Company Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Want to know what the best method is for sharpening the pencils you use the most in your artwork or writing? 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