Kum 107.02.01 Wood 2-Hole Steel Blade Pencil Sharpener, Colors Vary

Purchased this because I already have one and know that it works. It works every time for #2 writing pencils and prismacolor wax based colored pencils. Definitely recommend.

Throw out your scalpels, craft knives, and band-aids (cut fingers)... this is an honest-to-goodness sharpener for Conte a Paris pencils (& similar sized pastel pencils)! One of the most beloved attributes of Conte pencils is their generous 5mm diameter. It’s also one of the most maddening when it comes to sharpening them. After purchasing a dozen or more sharpeners which all promised to (but didn’t!) accommodate the Conte’s girth... this sharpener DOES! I’ve attached 3 photos, 2 of which demonstrate a “Pierre Noire 2B“ Conte & the sharpener. The 3rd photo is simply the reverse side of the sharpener, a “KUM Wood Cutter” (made in Germany). Although a small, portable wooden block... it’s easy to hold and sharpens the Conte pencil with only a few turns. As depicted, this sharpener produces a rounded point (similar to that of a new Conte pencil). I’ve still not found a sharpener which produces the preferred long-point. KUM also makes a handheld 2-stage Long Point sharpener (quite probably my very favourite sharpener of all), but sadly it won’t accommodate Contes. Nonetheless, I am pleased beyond words to have found this little, $3, wooden gem! I’ve already ordered a half-dozen more of them to scatter about my studio, as well as to stash a couple away. Thank you for reading, -CC, Amazon Prime Member-Reviewer

Best pencil sharpener EVER. I think I found my way to one of these in art school. Purchased one and decided to get more right after as they are sooo smooth and work better than any other sharpener that I’ve ever tried, even with pencils that tend to break pretty easily. The size is the same or slightly bigger than the metal ones. For the quality it is great value for the money.

I have been looking for a sharpener for the larger pencils for my Kindergarten classroom. Only teachers use them but they work great! My only negative is the lack of a shavings catcher. I have to have a trash can near by, but other than that this sharpener does the work so far! I've only had it for a week but it's nice and sharp and smoothly sharpens!

Most guides to sharpening Conte pastel pencils suggest hand sharpening with a scalpel, a craft knife, or a razor blade. I am not a dab hand at hand sharpening ... the results look like the pencils have been attacked by some species of rodent. I found the official Conte sharpener but it cost 3 times as much and shipped from across the ocean, plus the reviews I read were not complimentary. When this sharpener first arrived I thought it looked too small to be useful, so I was a little disappointed despite my low expectations. I then tried it on a couple of dull conte pencils and I was astonished. It was quick and easy and the pecils were as good as new. I might have wanted the leads to be longer and sharper but they were as good as new and i have no complaints.

I am a Kum fan from way back, but had always used the metal version. These are even easier on soft-core colored pencils. The shavings are tissue-paper thin, and the wax tips come out smooth and not chewed or split like other brands can leave them. I can control the sharpen and avoid wasting my pencils (important for expensive colored pencils). The metal Kum works fine for any pencils, but these seem to be more precise. Edited to add: So I threw it away accidentally and immediately missed it so much that I ordered three more. They are equally delightful to use. Also, I forgot to mention that OEM refill blades are available at decent prices.

I wanted a pencil sharpener that would sharpen colored pencils specifically. I had a cheap sharpener I bought at Walmart that kept breaking the heads off my pencils long before it ever sharpened them to a point, sometimes mutilating the pencil in the process. You can see in the picture how short one of my brown pencils got because it kept breaking every time I sharpened it. I even resorted to sharpening the opposite sides of some of the pencils, not that it helped. If I was going to spend money on a new sharpener, I wanted to make sure it was one that would do the job right. I bought this wooden sharpener based on the reviews, and it is fantastic. It sharpened my entire pack of Crayola colored pencils to a sharp point easily, without ever breaking even one. I just got it so I can't speak to the durability of the blades, but so far I would call this a quality product that I highly recommend.

I purchased this to sharpen Conte pencils because another reviewer said this was the only sharpener that worked for that purpose. I have had limited success with it but to be fair, no other sharpener I have tried works either. The Conte pencil leads keep breaking off. It is more of a problem with the pencils and not the sharpener. The sharpener is well built and I like that the blades can be replaced if needed. If anyone has any ideas how to sharpen a Conte pencil, besides using a sharp knife, please let me know.