Sometimes songs pop into my head and while thinking about sharpeners….ZZTop entered the chat. So there we have it…I am officially old. Anyone else remember these fabulous hits from decades ago?

If this hasn’t hit you with a giggle – you might be one of the youngs , so may I introduce you to the wonders that were once popular? This terrible song by ZZtop is one I still can’t help but sing along to….

Tutorial: My sharp-dressed pencils

Watch the video below and scroll to the end to leave comments or questions — or click HERE to watch it on YouTube and leave comments over there. I read both dutifully!

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Sharpeners for traditional pencils

Afmat Long Point Pencil Sharpener

Dahle Dual hole pencil sharpener BLICK | AMZ

General’s All-Art sharpener BLICK | AMZ | JACKSONS

Blackwing One step long point sharpener BLICK | AMZ | JACKSONS

Mobius & Ruppert Three hole sharpener BLICK | AMZ

Staedtler Mars Lead holder BLICK | AMZ

Technical pencils

Koh-i-noor Lead holder BLICK | AMZ | JACKSONS
Staedtler Mars Lead holder BLICK | AMZ
Staedtler Mars Lead holder pointer (sharpener) BLICK | AMZ | JACKSONS
Staedtler Mars Lead holder leads BLICK | JACKSONS

Paper

Fabriano White White pads BLICK | AMZ | JACKSONS

AFMAT long point

The Afmat Long Point Pencil Sharpener is not the sharpest tip unless you do something TO the tip. (This is a marketing photo from the company, I’m sure I’ve never gotten a pencil to look like that!)

But if you like a LONG lead, this will do it. Best with harder pencils, since soft cores can easily break when not supported by a lot of wood.

Dahle dual-hole sharpener

Dahle Dual hole pencil sharpener BLICK | AMZ is a great workhorse – I keep them all over the place since I work in the studio, on the sofa, in bed, at the dining room table…LOL. And it’s got the yellow cap so I can always find it among the rubble.

With any 2hole sharpener try them both separately and in succession; some are meant to have one sharpen the wood, the other sharpen the tip. And sometimes it’s just to accomodate thick/thin pencils.

General’s All-Art sharpener

The All-Art sharpener BLICK | AMZ | JACKSONS by Generals comes in the little round case or just the rectangle by itself – easily tucks in my travel bin for drawing group. And does a great job on thicker, softer pencils like charcoal or pastel.

Blackwing One-step sharpener

This Blackwing BLICK | AMZ | JACKSONS has marketing that calls it a long point sharpener, but I think of it more as a “safety long point” since a long longpoint can break. Ha! This one’s incredibly reliable at getting a nice point – and I like tucking it in my pocket if I’m taking work with me, like I did on a plane last week. It doesn’t “leak” pencil dust into my pocket, and is nice and heavy. And doesn’t look too weird on a restaurant table while sketching.

Great little gift packaging too – feels elegant!

M&R 3-hole sharpener

Now we’re talking customization! While it’s a bit messy with shavings that go everywhere, a bowl or ziploc contains it. But the three holes in a Mobius & Ruppert BLICK | AMZ give the artist a lot of ability to customize. And it’s got the most laser-sharp tips out of everything for normal pencils. (Not as sharp as the tech pencils to come but very very very nice.)

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Tips

Staedtler Mars BLICK | AMZ and Koh-i-noor BLICK | AMZ | JACKSONS

lead holders are pretty comparable. Nice weight in your hand, and the leads are interchangeable, as far as I know, with all the brands (2mm leads). When using light pressure these can keep working for longer than usual before resharpening too.

I recommend getting the pointer (sharpener) BLICK | AMZ | JACKSONS and some 4B and 2B leads BLICK | JACKSONS

What’s YOUR priority in a pencil?

3 Comments

Ginny on December 20, 2024 at 1:34 pm

Sandy…I came to know of you through Karen Abend’s great fun experience each year. And I have been just thrilled to follow you and your wonderful tips and lots of free things which I share in my Fine Arts e-newsletter each month. This is super helpful information and I actually forget that you can get new blades for pencil sharpeners! Depending on the expense in the original sharpener this makes sense!!! I agree with Edna about wc and colored pencils.
I’ve also taken to carbon pencils lately…have you used them at all? by Wolff. Have you used any of these? I’ve been using them in my AFMAT long point and they seem to be okay.
Reply
Edna Burgess on December 11, 2024 at 9:00 am

Thanks Sandy for this information. It sounds like you use each of these. I’ve tried several and the best so far is something I bought at one of the Michigan craft shows. I have the worst time with my watercolor pencils. They break easily and then I have to start from the beginning again. I’ve printed your information and will re-read it when I have more time. Still doing Christmas cards. Thanks again. Edna Burgess
Reply
- Sandy Allnock on December 11, 2024 at 9:09 am
  
  Remember that no pencil sharpener blade will last forever – so treat yourself to a new one of the brand you like. It could be a dull blade eating at your watercolor pencils 🙂
  Reply