I prefer hand sharpening with a blunt stone hammer.
Joking. But does it give better results than using an art knife or manual sharpener?
OK, so my experiences with the Inkling are not going so well, but here is a bit of compensation.
I looked around on the web for a really good pencil sharpener and came across the KUM automatic longpoint, it arrived today and (if you like sharp pencils) it's fantastic. It has two holes, one which sharpens the wood and the second one sharpens the lead, the results are really great!
I prefer hand sharpening with a blunt stone hammer.
Joking. But does it give better results than using an art knife or manual sharpener?
I don't know why it's called an 'automatic' as it is a manual sharpener.
I think you'll always get the best control and therefore results using an art knife and fine grade sandpaper (or an emery board) to chisel the nib.
Here is a review I just found...man I thought I was geeky. Read the comment where the guy goes through a mathematical analysis as to whether a sharp pencil lead is more efficient than a less sharp one.
The "automatic" refers to the design such that when sharpening the wood, it "stops" once the lead length is correct... i.e. you can't chew up an entire pencil in it.
-Rob A>
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Not interested in the sharpener but a site devoted to "exploring the art and science of pencils," now that's definitely a site worthy of of my favorites folder "Obscura." Make room WWdN: in Exile, neogrognard, etal. I'm sure to lose a few hours of my life there... After all who could resist a "Faber-Castell 250th anniversary pencil"?
LOL - You know after looking at that website, and seeing all those wonderfully sharpened pencils it reminded me of how much I do love the smell of them. I think it's associated somehow with all the art I have ever done. Which brought me to realize that although I have been doing most of my work digitally the last several months, I still have a series of sharp pencils alongside my keyboard. Now I know why....it's just not the same without them being with me. I'd never thought about it but I guess my subconscious did and there they are.
“When it’s over and you look in the mirror, did you do the best that you were capable of? If so, the score does not matter. But if you find that you did your best you were capable of, you will find it to your liking.” -John Wooden
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This just keeps reminding me that I need to refresh my collection of pencils ... I still have a fine set from 6H to 3H and from about 4B to 8B, but the pencils in between have gotten very short and hard to find in the pencil box!