So how do you sharpen pencils?

[John Ricci]

I have one of those old style "schoolroom" crank sharpeners with the dial on the front for different pencil sizes and it is great but I have always found it easier to use a little hand sharpener and chuck the pencil into a cordless drill for the "need it right now" kind of sharp. It takes about a second and the pencil is scary sharp, probably too sharp in fact. I will do a dozen at a time so that I always have a new one when I need it. Anyone else here have an equally effective or possibly dangerous method they would like to share with the class? C'mon, belt/disc/drum sander or knife adventures.

J.R.

[Paul Libby]

I have one of the wall mounted shapeners. It was in my Dad's shop for about 40 years, so I have it in mine now. However I oftern just use a scrap of 60 grit sand paper to sharpen a pencil, or a sharp knife or chisel, depends on what is closest.

[Brian Kent]

First I fire up my belt sander, starting with 80 grit, then working over to about 220. Then I set up the beals buffing system, stopping just short of the waxing step. A couple of touch-up swashes on the .5 micron abrasive film puts on the fine chisel-edge for accuracy and the pure beauty of a hand-made pencil point.

Following this, I use my big sand-paper cleaner stick, launder the buffing wheels, and wipe down the abrasive film with oil so I don't mark up my wood. I figure it's a lot easier than having a special tool just to sharpen a pencil.

[Don Bullock]

I have an electric pencil sharpener.

[John Ricci]

Entering the first turn, Brian is in the lead on detail of technique challenging the old school crankheads who still retain the title in the "gimme now" category. Further race results will be posted...probably

J.R.

[Steve Beadle]

What? You actually SHARPEN those things? I always throw them away and reach for a pre-sharpened one--which is the way I always buy them, of course!

[Ken Milhinch]

What's next - "How do hold a hammer" ?

[John Ricci]

"How do hold a hammer" ?

Firmly on my mark and then I pull the trigger. I gave up hammering in my 40's.

J.R.

[Gary Keedwell]

I have a right-handed hammer.
Gary K.

[mark page]

For accuracy in shop work I use a 0.5m mechanical pencil. For rough in carpentry work, who cares.

[Jim Becker]

School house crank job for me...previous owners were school teachers and left one in what became my shop. Works perfectly fine for me.

[Ken Shoemaker]

Marking knife.... Although I found it hard to get the darn thing in those little holes and crank the handle....

[Dan Clark]

Doesn't everyone?

[Ray Bersch]

Ok, mine in the stowed positon (on shelf upper left)
Stowed Position (150 x 113).jpg

and in the ready position (held in vice)
Ready Position (150 x 113).jpg

As with many others, this sharpener works automatically as soon as you insert the dull pencil in the left side and turn the crank on the right side. And it is easily reversable, although that is a bit more than I can handle so I never tried it.

[Jeff Miller]

On the side of my bench grinder wheel