This comes from Comrade Ashley:
Just sent you two pics of four newly acquired pencil sharpeners:

Iris $3.49
Prismacolor Oval sharpener $2.59
Maped Dual Hole Sharpener $0.88
Dahle Chubby Sharpener $2.99

These are available at Dick Blick, as well as Mister Art. All of them are worth knowing about, if not owning.

I think everyone is familiar with the Iris sharpener (black ‘Zippo’ lighter shape). I like it the least, as the blade is already messed up from sharpening one colored pencil. A piece of this pencil broke off in the top part of the sharpener, inside the door, but above the actual blade, where I cannot get it out. Instead it rattles around inside. The shavings receptacle is really not very big, either.

The Prismacolor Oval has a great, comfortable shape, and it sharpens well. But the rubberized plastic of the casing makes it a bit hard to open one handed.

With its ink bottle sillhouette, the Dahle Chubby is the cutest. It is easy to use, but doesn’t produce a really sharp point. However, I do appreciate the size of its (see through) shavings receptacle.

My favorite is the Maped Dual Hole (on sale at Dick Blick for 88 cents!). Alas, it has no frills, no shavings receptacle or streamline shape. But it sharpens extremely well, very quickly and with little waste. It is easy to see exactly how much you’ve sharpened. The metal casing has a nice heft, as well.

viva la Revolucion!

Ashley

(Update: “I should clarify my comment on the Chubby sharpener. It does produce a sharp point, but it is a SHORT, sharp point. I personally prefer long points.”)

[Images and text, A.M. Used with permission.]