I’ve been trying to understand why there are so many negative reviews here. I guess it must come down to who is using it and with what kind of pencils they are sharpening.
I have been on the lookout for a good electric pencil sharpener ever since my old workhorses stopped producing a fine point after 30 years of service. I tried to replace them with newer models with new blades, but by then the sharpeners I loved were discontinued.
After years of searching and trying out every well reviewed electric sharpener still on the market, I started to realize that they don’t make things like they did in the good ole days. I’ve found that every sharpener today suffers from one major flaw: They don’t sharpen pencils shorter than 2 1/2 inches. Why is that so important to me? Because I use professional pencils that cost about $1-$2 each.
Here’s what sets this electric sharpener apart from every other model I’ve found so far: It engages the motor with only 1 1/2 inches of the pencil inserted. All other electrics I found need 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 inches inserted before they will start sharpening. At about $1 per pencil, you’d be wasting about 33 cents per pencil if you can’t sharpen the last third length.
Are these durable? I can’t say for sure. My first ipoint Orbit sharpener was purchased about a year ago and it is still running fine. I have no illusions that it will last for years, though. I’ve since bought 6 more as back ups, in case it breaks down and these get discontinued. (I’ve found these at Costco and from Amazon at varying prices, from $8-$22 each. It’s best to shop around since the prices can change quite a bit over time.)
I’m no expert but I am a professional illustrator who has gone through thousands of pencils and dozens of sharpeners since I started my business in 1984. For me, this is hands down the best pencil sharpener I can find today.
| Manufacturer | ACME United Corporation |
|---|---|
| Brand | Westcott |
| Item Weight | 0.01 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 1 x 1 x 1 inches |
| Item model number | 16059 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Color | White/Black |
| Material Type | Not Appilcable |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Size | Orbit |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 16059 |
