Best Pencil Sharpeners for a Homeschool

This is the kind of pencil sharpener we used for years. It was consistently reliable and easy to clean out. (This particular model comes in four different colors.)

The sharpener is designed to grip your pencil so that you use one hand to hold the base of the sharpener and the other hand to turn the handle.

PROS:

Can be put away when not in use.

Requires no electricity or batteries.

Clear drawer lets you see when shavings need to be emptied.

Quiet.

Works with colored pencils as well as graphite pencils.

Go old school vintage with a wall mounted, metal pencil sharpener just like the one in your classroom. There is a reason why schools use these sharpeners. They can stand the abuse of dozens of children all day long, 180 days a year, year after year.

PROS

When mounted to the wall, you can never lose the pencil sharpener.

This sharpener can be mounted to a wall, table, or bookcase.

Metal parts sharpen to a very fine point.

Very durable and lasts for years.

Dial allows for different sizes & types of pencils.

Quiet.

For ultimate convenience, an electric sharpener is the best choice. You do need a dedicated spot for the sharpener, one near an electric source. But the payoff is the ability to quickly sharpen pencils to a fine point. 

The sharpener shown is commercial grade, perfect for homeschools full of blunt pencils to sharpen up.

PROS

One handed operation.

Fast and efficient.

Easy -- no turning a handle at all.

For the model shown, when the pencil is sharpened, the motor automatically shuts off and the blue light comes on. (No more oversharpening a pencil down to a nub.)

A dial allows for pencils of various thicknesses.

Sometimes the problem isn't your sharpener but the pencils themselves. Avoid cheap pencils and spend a bit more on the quality ones that won't have repeatedly breaking lead.

Ticonderoga are a well respected brand, made in America of real wood.

Generally speaking pencils made in America with real wood are going to be better quality than the cheaper Made in China pencils. It's another case of getting what you pay for.