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Best Sharpener for Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils
I know I've seen this discussed before, but I just did a search and have read a lot of GREAT information that I've forgotten, but I cannot find which sharpener exactly is recommended for sharpening the Primsacolor Premier Colored Pencils. I know the hand-held Prisma sharpener works well for some (which I was going to buy), but I also read one person's comment that even manufacturer recommends using an electric sharpener. So, in your opinion, which sharpener is the best to buy? Thanks for your ongoing help!!
I can't imagine that an electric sharpener would be recommended - it chews up the pencil too quickly. I use a Brynzeel hand-held all metal sharpener. I bought it from marcospaper years ago...it's what they recommended, and it's still going strong!
I have used the Prismacolor Pencils for about 4-5 years now and never had a problem with using an electric sharpener. As long as it's a high quality electric one and not a cheapie battery operated one. ;) Debbie Gimbel, the woman who actually pioneered the Gamsol Magic Technique and uses Prismacolor Pencils herself, mentions preferring an electric sharpener here: Click Hope this helps!
ETA: One other thing... if you're planning on sharpening a lot of pencils at one time, have a few regular graphite pencils on hand to sharpen in between every few Prismas. Since the Prismas have such a high wax content, it can tend to build up in the sharpener and slow it down a bit. Sharpening a regular pencil in between every few Prismas will help prevent that from happening.
I did a google search and guess what? I was redirected HERE, where I found an awesome thread here on SCS ~ go figure!! Cecilia Ross AKA/PrincessInk posted three handouts a couple of years back written by Debbie Gimbel. One was a one-page "cheat sheet," where Debbie indicates "the best electric pencil sharpener is the Panasonic KP-4A. It's battery operated. You can purchase it at Office Depot for between $15 and $20." I reread her article online, and she says ... "When you own pencils in quantity and use them a lot, I would suggest an electric pencil sharpener. (I know that sounds like heresy, but my pencils are happy and they've been machine sharpened for many years.) If you don't want to invest in one, almost any kind of sharpener is fine, although I do like the green, plastic Berol (Sanford) sharpener. It is containerized and does a great job. You can find it at Pearl's or most office supply stores."
I then went back to Sanford (who manufactures the pencils) and looked through their FAQs once again. They recommend a high quality cosmetic hand-held pencil sharpener.
So, I actually learned a lot!! Thanks for your responses. It sounds like if the sharpener you are using works ... don't change it!! I love it, because I now have several options to choose from to sharpen my 120-piece set!!
ETA: One other thing... if you're planning on sharpening a lot of pencils at one time, have a few regular graphite pencils on hand to sharpen in between every few Prismas. Since the Prismas have such a high wax content, it can tend to build up in the sharpener and slow it down a bit. Sharpening a regular pencil in between every few Prismas will help prevent that from happening. [/QUOTE]
LOL ~ When you say "regular graphite pencils," you mean a pencil you use every day, right?
Another happy electric sharpener chiming in BTW, be sure to keep your pencils fairly sharp. I know when I first got my pencils, I hesitated to sharpen them as I felt like I was "wasting" the pencil. Silly, I know. I read somewhere, though, that it's actually better to sharpen frequently, as you waste less of the pencil and it's less likely to break, too. Not to mention better results coloring!!
All I know is that the Prismacolors I got as a gift from my art teacher almost 15 years ago used better quality wood than the Prismas of today. They sharpened beautifully, every single color. From the set my BF got me for Christmas sometimes certain colors give me trouble sharpening nicely with a high quality metal hand held sharpener. I was a little disappointed, and have been searching for the perfect sharpener that won't mangle the wood.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lifesabeach32940
I know I've seen this discussed before, but I just did a search and have read a lot of GREAT information that I've forgotten, but I cannot find which sharpener exactly is recommended for sharpening the Primsacolor Premier Colored Pencils. I know the hand-held Prisma sharpener works well for some (which I was going to buy), but I also read one person's comment that even manufacturer recommends using an electric sharpener. So, in your opinion, which sharpener is the best to buy? Thanks for your ongoing help!!
I have the Prisma handheld pencil sharpener and tried to sharpen all my 120 pencils with it. Unless you want a bad case of carpel tunnel, get an electric one! It's just way too much twisting and turning if you're doing a whole set of pencils.
And, I found the leads break just as often with the little manual one. I think they must get broken on the inside of the pencil during manufacturing and shipping.
I bought the set that comes in a big tin, I think it has 120 pencils in it.. and it came with a small silver sharpener.. that thing is great.. sharpens the pencils super sharp without wasting a lot of the pencil. It came in the box, so I guess it is made by Prismacolor. hope that helps. Pam
__________________ "The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him."
I did a google search and guess what? I was redirected HERE, where I found an awesome thread here on SCS ~ go figure!! Cecilia Ross AKA/PrincessInk posted three handouts a couple of years back written by Debbie Gimbel. One was a one-page "cheat sheet," where Debbie indicates "the best electric pencil sharpener is the Panasonic KP-4A. It's battery operated. You can purchase it at Office Depot for between $15 and $20." I reread her article online, and she says ... "When you own pencils in quantity and use them a lot, I would suggest an electric pencil sharpener. (I know that sounds like heresy, but my pencils are happy and they've been machine sharpened for many years.) If you don't want to invest in one, almost any kind of sharpener is fine, although I do like the green, plastic Berol (Sanford) sharpener. It is containerized and does a great job. You can find it at Pearl's or most office supply stores."
I then went back to Sanford (who manufactures the pencils) and looked through their FAQs once again. They recommend a high quality cosmetic hand-held pencil sharpener.
So, I actually learned a lot!! Thanks for your responses. It sounds like if the sharpener you are using works ... don't change it!! I love it, because I now have several options to choose from to sharpen my 120-piece set!!
Keri Lee Sereika also recommended this. So when I 1st bought my Prismas, I went to Wal-Mart and got a small - approx 1"x1", manual, black, 2 holed Revlon cosmetic sharpener (for eyebrow pencils). Keri said to get one with a *stop* which this one does. You want a stop so the pencil doesn't keep sharpening til it touches the end of the sharpener thus breaking the lead. Yes, it took a while to get them all sharpened, but I took it in shifts. This little ditty works great!!
I also got the little silver sharpener in a large tin of Prismas. After using my Revlon, I did not like how the silver one sharpened at all.
May God bless, Sandi
__________________ StormyElf'd '07Humble Ink Smears If at first you don't succeed, talk to God! Then, go put on your big girl panties!
You want a stop so the pencil doesn't keep sharpening til it touches the end of the sharpener thus breaking the lead.
You can do this with an electric sharpener, too. It's what I do... just keep checking the pencil every couple of seconds to make sure that it hasn't sharpened the core all the way to a point. As long as you keep checking as you sharpen, and stop at the right time, you will get a nice, strong, *flattened* point. I prefer not to sharpen my pencils all the way to a fine point anyway, because it's more difficult to lay down a lot of color with such an uber small tip.
I used to work in an office with a professional graphic artist. When I first invested in my Prismacolor pencils, she convinced me to go to Staples and purchase a nicer, more expensive electric sharpener by Panasonic with an autostop feature. I made the investment, and haven't been sorry one bit. No complaints. I figured since I paid so much for the Prismacolor pencils, I'd better fork over some cash for a good sharpener too.
Best Sharpener for Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils
