Anyone know of any reason why this would be a poor choice for regular pencils? I'm interested in the dual sharpening angle feature. Thanks.
1827764
Yes, as Heidi mentioned - sharpening regular pencils to clean the blade and oil from the Prismacolor pencil buildup is a plus. Awesome sharpener.
1827765
Yup, it'd work with regular pencils. In fact, when sharpening Prismacolors, it's recommended to sharpen a regular pencil every so often, to clean the blade and "oil" it with graphite. So I've sharpened a regular drawing pencil in it several times. Gets graphite pencils ridiculously sharp.
1827766
Nope. But it is really designed for prismacolors but it works well with all kinds of pencils. Best sharpener I've ever owned! I would've paid twenty dollars for this. But it only cost around six. Well worth it.
1048077
I don't have any secret but I was mindful about how the round steel clamp lined up inside the base of the sharpener. Also had to re-adjust the alignment of the bottom clamp where it makes contact with my desk. It seems like a weaker design element but works fine for us so far. Still love the whole package; sharpening pencils has never been so rewarding!
797011
Actually there are only two sharpening options since the American and European blades both have the same angle with the Japanese angle being the one that is different. I am using the term "Japanese" because that is the word used in the instruction manual that comes with the sharpener. So each of the sharpening slots has two sides (left and right side of the knife), then you pass the sharpened blade through the honing/polishing slots - once again two slots for left and right side of the knife. It got a little tricky for me when I realized that my European brand knife had a Japanese angle blade. I almost messed that one up before I caught my mistake. Actually there are only two sharpening options since the American and European blades both have the same angle with the Japanese angle being the one that is different. I am using the term "Japanese" because that is the word used in the instruction manual that comes with the sharpener. So each of the sharpening slots has two sides (left and right side of the knife), then you pass the sharpened blade through the honing/polishing slots - once again two slots for left and right side of the knife. It got a little tricky for me when I realized that my European brand knife had a Japanese... » Read More Actually there are only two sharpening options since the American and European blades both have the same angle with the Japanese angle being the one that is different. I am using the term "Japanese" because that is the word used in the instruction manual that comes with the sharpener. So each of the sharpening slots has two sides (left and right side of the knife), then you pass the sharpened blade through the honing/polishing slots - once again two slots for left and right side of the knife. It got a little tricky for me when I realized that my European brand knife had a Japanese angle blade. I almost messed that one up before I caught my mistake. « Show Less
1567807
I went to Sally's Beauty Supply and they have sharpeners that have large holes to sharpen this pencil. They work great, and it sharpens very easily. I seriously recommend this product, and I will definitely be getting more!
932983
I too bought one. Pleased with the quality, but not with the shortness of the blade. Way too hard to sharpen and I have tried everything but an electric kitchen sharpener. I guess it is only good for a short stab and not so much for cutting.
1566171
I think it's one of the better models to have because it's not very heavy and has the rotating mechanism for the lead. In comparison to other pencils, it's more about the lead that determines breakage. This model has diamond infused lead which makes them a lot more resistant to breakage but good luck finding the replacements for it. If you're looking for good replacements, then get the super high polymer replacements from the office supply stores because they work just as well (if not better). They're also cheaper and easier to find.
1306487
works great with regular pencils, but is inconsistent with the softer "lead" in colored pencils. I've never tried it with larger pencils. It doesn't appear to be prepared to accomodate larger sized pencils.
1401711
I had no trouble using it with inktense pencils, although I didn't use it heavily with them. However, my sharpener only lasted a short while before one of the little plastic gears on the inside cracked, rendering the entire sharpener useless. I'd say, go ahead, but be very gentle - don't ram them into the pencil sharpener. And "clean" it periodically by sharpening graphite pencils.
479414
I pencil draw, so yes, it's a good buy. It's very powerful sharpener, so you don't need to push hard....you will get used to it pretty fast..I get best results by slowly turning pencil while not putting much pushing pressure on pencil.... with my girls we've been through multiple pencil sharpeners, until now. We all love this product!
456611
I like the top entry for colored pencils. It puts less stress on the inner wax layer and lessons the likelihood of breakage. For regular graphite pencils - it probably wouldn't make any difference.
1175001
I use an ultimate oil sharpening system from sharpening supplies. Com. My leek is my last favorite knife, I'm not sure if I got a funky one or what is deal is. It appears as though there is a dual angle beveled edge on the blade. I have been trying to figure it out but half way up the blade it changes angle. I use it as a letter opener now. I'm probably not much help when it comes to this knife. I bought a Kershaw salvo for$10 on ebay that I use daily and feel its a way better knife.
1726252
I use a regular pencil sharpener !!! I love my derwent inktense pencils !!!!!!
1257881
I've been sharpening them in a regular handheld pencil sharpener but it gets stuck when sharpening-it fits in the sharpener but the wood gets stuck. So maybe a two hole isn't a bad option.
643232
Not as fast as others I've used -- you have to hold it steady for a while; otherwise, the pencil will just spin and not sharpen. It takes several seconds to sharpen one pencil.
10153
I ordered mine in early October and have been using it daily with 100+ high school students per day (granted not every single one sharpens a pencil every single day, but you get the idea...). The motor has definitely slowed down, which I think is due to the blades getting dull over time, but it still does work well, even if not as well as the first day. I think (and really hope) that it still has a long life left...at least another couple months in this environment.
1407249
My son uses the blackwing pencils, which are quite soft. I guess they could be compared to colored pencils. This sharpener did a fantastic job.
49800
Mine did not come sharpened. (That suits me better because I don't care for the points pre-sharpened pencils come with.) It is a wonderful pencil. They sharpen on center, the lead is dark enough for students who don't press hard. It erases well. The point lasts much longer than most of the pencils elementary grades students bring to class. I haven't noticed "hard spots" in the leads that leave scratches. The paint doesn't peel off. The diameter is nice for young and old hands. All that said, I would only use it for artwork (sketching) if I was in a tight, but it is a nice writing instrument. Mine did not come sharpened. (That suits me better because I don't care for the points pre-sharpened pencils come with.) It is a wonderful pencil. They sharpen on center, the lead is dark enough for students who don't press hard. It erases well. The point lasts much longer than most of the pencils elementary grades students bring to class. I haven't noticed "hard spots" in the leads that leave scratches. The paint doesn't peel off. The diameter is nice for young and old hands. All that said, I would only use it for artwork (sketching) if I was in a tight, but it is a nice writing... » Read More Mine did not come sharpened. (That suits me better because I don't care for the points pre-sharpened pencils come with.) It is a wonderful pencil. They sharpen on center, the lead is dark enough for students who don't press hard. It erases well. The point lasts much longer than most of the pencils elementary grades students bring to class. I haven't noticed "hard spots" in the leads that leave scratches. The paint doesn't peel off. The diameter is nice for young and old hands. All that said, I would only use it for artwork (sketching) if I was in a tight, but it is a nice writing instrument. « Show Less