# My plans for retirement: become an artisanal pencil sharpener **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 6, 2022, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-plans-for-retirement-become-an-artisanal-pencil-sharpener/965778 "2022-06-06T21:09:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2022, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-plans-for-retirement-become-an-artisanal-pencil-sharpener/965778/21 "2022-06-07T21:19:47Z")
Evidently you might, if your name were Artis. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2022, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-plans-for-retirement-become-an-artisanal-pencil-sharpener/965778/22 "2022-06-07T21:30:54Z")
Speaking of pencil sharpeners, why did the ones in my grade school have like ten different sized holes? In 9 years we only ever used the one standard #2. We had heard of the “little kid” pencil that fit the largest hole, but we never used them. The rest were just mysteries. Maybe they were for metric pencils or Russian pencils or special space pencils. Who knows. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2022, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-plans-for-retirement-become-an-artisanal-pencil-sharpener/965778/23 "2022-06-07T21:34:54Z")
The manufacturer just couldn’t come up with the sci-fi future tech of a sharpener with a single hole which accommodates pencils of varying widths. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2022, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-plans-for-retirement-become-an-artisanal-pencil-sharpener/965778/24 "2022-06-07T21:37:02Z")
AACCCKKKK! Cat butt pencil sharpener is $75!!! And it’s manual! ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2022, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-plans-for-retirement-become-an-artisanal-pencil-sharpener/965778/25 "2022-06-07T21:37:49Z")
> [@VOW](#): > > AACCCKKKK! Bill, is that you? ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2022, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-plans-for-retirement-become-an-artisanal-pencil-sharpener/965778/26 "2022-06-07T21:56:44Z")
> [@VOW](#): > > Cat butt pencil sharpener is $75!!! I just posted the first link I found. Looks like you can get it on other [sites](https://www.bonanza.com/listings/Sharp-End-Cats-Bum-Meowing-Pencil-Sharpener-Novelty-Fun-Gift-Gadget-White/1249442637?goog_pla=1&gpid=68416460461&keyword=&goog_pla=1&pos=&ad_type=pla&gclid=CjwKCAjw7vuUBhBUEiwAEdu2pPorw0Z_fnFy7VG6NRkTycZrphMOKjvertO8yncbG3iYe8YlFBa8FxoCp6MQAvD_BwE) for $33. Which is still pricey for a manual pencil sharpener. ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2022, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-plans-for-retirement-become-an-artisanal-pencil-sharpener/965778/27 "2022-06-07T22:05:26Z")
They may even rub you out. ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2022, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-plans-for-retirement-become-an-artisanal-pencil-sharpener/965778/28 "2022-06-07T22:09:08Z")
This little baby does a pretty good job in a 2-step process. [https://www.amazon.ca/Kum-105-30-22-Polystyrene-Automatic-Container/dp/B0084F7HK4/?\_encoding=UTF8&pd\_rd\_w=NO1Iq&content-id=amzn1.sym.65a883cc-2a99-4757-97c3-17282bb2b972&pf\_rd\_p=65a883cc-2a99-4757-97c3-17282bb2b972&pf\_rd\_r=XSXBKMZG6DAFBJW127N9&pd\_rd\_wg=BeGX7&pd\_rd\_r=bf5ec119-478f-4e95-b8cb-975be4b64257&ref\_=pd\_gw\_ci\_mcx\_mr\_hp\_atf\_m](https://www.amazon.ca/Kum-105-30-22-Polystyrene-Automatic-Container/dp/B0084F7HK4/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=NO1Iq&content-id=amzn1.sym.65a883cc-2a99-4757-97c3-17282bb2b972&pf_rd_p=65a883cc-2a99-4757-97c3-17282bb2b972&pf_rd_r=XSXBKMZG6DAFBJW127N9&pd_rd_wg=BeGX7&pd_rd_r=bf5ec119-478f-4e95-b8cb-975be4b64257&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_atf_m) Check out Blackwing pencils for fun and very good pencils. [https://blackwing602.com/collections/pencils?gclid=CjwKCAjw7vuUBhBUEiwAEdu2pC73NZYVY3Ze-TCE-QcmJPhsD4RyKSwctbiIoo8T1lMfMoe57IjkMRoCucgQAvD\_BwE](https://blackwing602.com/collections/pencils?gclid=CjwKCAjw7vuUBhBUEiwAEdu2pC73NZYVY3Ze-TCE-QcmJPhsD4RyKSwctbiIoo8T1lMfMoe57IjkMRoCucgQAvD_BwE) ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2022, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-plans-for-retirement-become-an-artisanal-pencil-sharpener/965778/29 "2022-06-07T23:17:19Z")
@Kropotkin I looked at the Blackwing pencils, just for fun. I don’t use pencils much any more. A standard #2 is about my speed these days. Out of curiosity, which Blackwing pencil do you think would suffice for the machine-scored test sheets? I often have to edumucate folks on lead hardness, and the difference between HB, F, and H6. I knew someone who could manage an H12, but he had to practice a LOT to achieve proficiency! As once explained to me: anything over H6, you aren’t writing. You’re _engraving._ ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2022, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-plans-for-retirement-become-an-artisanal-pencil-sharpener/965778/30 "2022-06-07T23:27:33Z")
> [@VOW](#): > > As once explained to me: anything over H6, you aren’t writing. You’re _engraving._ Would you really use a H6 pencil just for writing? I would sooner grab a 6B or 8B. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2022, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-plans-for-retirement-become-an-artisanal-pencil-sharpener/965778/31 "2022-06-07T23:34:05Z")
I used to use a 2H. I’m probably more an HB these days. The individual I knew who practiced enough so he could write with 6H and above? He was showing off. ( he was one of the bosses.) ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2022, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-plans-for-retirement-become-an-artisanal-pencil-sharpener/965778/32 "2022-06-08T01:39:37Z")
Did they have a hole large enough to sharpen the pencil that started off this thread? No? Didn’t think so. You thought the array of sizes offered by your school pencil sharpener was too broad, but actually it _wasn’t broad enough_. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2022, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-plans-for-retirement-become-an-artisanal-pencil-sharpener/965778/33 "2022-06-08T04:13:09Z")
Did anyone but me notice that all he did was use the saw to expose the already shaped and colored point? Not impressed. ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2022, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-plans-for-retirement-become-an-artisanal-pencil-sharpener/965778/34 "2022-06-08T16:20:05Z")
Blackwing produces extra firm, firm, balanced, and soft pencils. I think the “balanced” is about an HB, or Number 2, and the “soft” more like a 2B, or not 2B, as apparently there is no international ISO standards for pencils. I like to use the soft ones for crossword puzzles printed on cheap paper. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2022, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-plans-for-retirement-become-an-artisanal-pencil-sharpener/965778/35 "2022-06-08T20:16:33Z")
Damn straight! Don’t forget your pals, the Little People at the 'Dope, when you are rich and famous. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2022, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-plans-for-retirement-become-an-artisanal-pencil-sharpener/965778/36 "2022-06-08T20:19:00Z")
How could I? They don’t come no littler! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-plans-for-retirement-become-an-artisanal-pencil-sharpener/965778.md?page=1)