Pencil Sharpener Styles

From antique to electric

Those who attended grade school before the advent of personal computers will no doubt recall the almost monolithic place that the heavy-duty class pencil sharpener held in their mind, its noisy internal grinding, and the unique smell of the pencil shavings when it was emptied. Pencil sharpener styles are of course much more varied than the industrial models often seen in offices or classrooms. Here's a list of some of the most popular pencil sharpener styles in use today.

Children's pencil sharpeners

Childhood is the time when the mechanisms of the pencil sharpeners hold the most fascination. There are also a huge variety of children's pencil sharpener styles and shapes from which to choose. Race-car shaped pencil sharpeners would be ideal for the young NASCAR fan in your family, or make learning fun with a globe-shaped pencil sharpener.

For older students, there are also quality electric pencil sharpener styles available. Electric pencil sharpeners help prevent oversharpening and typically feature multiple slots for different sized pencils.

Office pencil sharpeners

When the schooling years are over, pencil sharpeners still remain as a necessary tool in the workplace. For speed, convenience, and efficiency, heavy-duty electric pencil sharpeners styles are best. A good office pencil sharpener should feature an extra large transparent shavings receptacle to avoid constant emptying but still let you see when the sharpener is getting full. Quality office pencil sharpeners should also come with a lengthy motor and cutter warranty.

Novelty pencil sharpeners

The most fun to be had with pencil sharpener styles is definitely in the novelty department. There are many strange and comical pencil sharpeners available to lighten up your desk or give as gifts.

Try a carnival style tin clown with his hands wrapped around his belly and cupped into an O for your pencil. For a truly useful pencil sharpener style that's still a novelty, pick up a left-handed pencil sharpener shaped specifically with southpaws in mind.

If you or someone you know enjoys collectibles and antiques, many older pencil sharpener styles are truly unique and would make terrific decorative items. A Spanish Art Deco pencil sharpener with a glass domed window on top and a knob-handled drawer underneath for shavings would be a definite attention getter in any room.

If an antique pencil sharpener seems too excessive, there are also numerous inexpensive replicas available of items ranging from trains to classic cars or old homestead appliances.

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