Mobius & Ruppert Brass Round Double Hole Sharpener

This Mobius & Ruppert Brass Round Double Hole hand sharpener (model 602) is miles above any other sharpeners I've used. Though it seems quite simple, it's remarkably effective and well-designed.*DESIGN*It's the details on the Mobius & Ruppert brass sharpeners that make such a difference. The M&R Round Double Hole sharpener has a hefty substantial weight, seeming sturdy enough to handle dropping. The sides are textured for better grip when turning it (sharpen colored pencils by turning the sharpener, not the pencil - see instructions at the bottom). It's a comfortable size and shape to hold (no finger cramps).The design is so clever, with the blades for the large hole on the top side and the blades for the small hole on the bottom side, arranged in such a way that I've never sliced my finger when turning it. The bore shafts are each slanted upward, naturally aligning the pencil against the blade. This makes it easy to sharpen the pencil without applying a lot of force. It also makes it easier to sharpen pencils that are more narrow than the width of the hole itself.*HOW TO USE*I use the small bore (hole) to sharpen my graphite drawing pencils and hard lead colored pencils -- Prismacolor Verithin, Derwent Studio, Derwent metallic, Faber-Castell Red Line metallic and Crayola -- which gives me a nice long fine point. (See pic #1.)I use the large bore for my soft lead colored pencils -- such as Prismacolor Premier Soft Core, General's Kimberly Watercolor, Spectrum Noir metallic, Prismacolor Colorless Blending Pencil, Derwent Blender pencil and Derwent Burnisher pencil. The larger hole gives me a short but nice sharp point, preventing the breakage that would result from a long point with these types of pencils (see pic #2).The M&R Brass Round Double Hole hand sharpener has been perfect for all of these pencils, giving a reliable sharp point without problems of shredding, choking or splitting the wood.>>>TIP #1: MORE CONVENIENCE, LESS MESS:The number one complaint I've seen when reading reviews of hand held sharpeners is the lack of a reservoir to hold pencil shavings and the need to sharpen over a trash can while working. I don't find this problematic given that there's a simple workaround.I avoid this issue by simply re-using an old mint tin for this purpose. I sharpen over the tin, collecting the shavings inside. (See pics #3-#4.) Then once it's full I'll empty the tin into a trash can (typically every couple days). Altoids tins work well for this because they have a deep bottom, but are still small enough to fit in a pocket. But even the smaller tins are suitable. You just need something with a hinged lid.*COMPARISON*I also bought the M&R Brass Bullet/Grenade style sharpener to see which model I'd prefer. While I like the shape of the Bullet/Grenade model and the way it fits in my hand, the fact that it does not take the standard size M&R blades and has only a single hole (small, for hard leads/long points) is limiting. So I find I'm reaching for the M&R Round Double Hole more because of its versatility. If I had to choose just one, I'd pick the Round Double Hole model.*REPLACEMENT:*This is definitely not a disposable sharpener. Plan to use this for a long, long time. I bought the 10-pack of Mobius & Ruppert standard replacement blades (blade # MGT100-0050, available on Amazon). It is easy to change the blades on the M&R brass sharpeners using a small screwdriver (available at most hardware stores). The sharpener has an indented slot that is curved at one end, fitting the shape of the blades. (See pics #5-#6.) This means it's impossible to install new blades in the wrong direction.>>>TIP #2: NOTE THE SIGNS THAT A BLADE NEEDS REPLACING.A dull blade will start shredding, splitting or choking the wood, or persistently breaking the points. If this occurrs, try replacing the blade.>>>TIP #3: SWAP BLADES FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER.One way to get the most life out of the blades is to swap the most used side for the less used side. For example, if you regularly use the small bore more often than the large bore, then when the small bore blade becomes duller you can remove it and replace it with the large bore blade (then move the duller small bore blade to the large bore side). This will let you further extend the use of each blade before making a new replacement.>>>TIP #4: MAINTAINING THE BLADES:Wax pencils, like colored pencils, dull blades more quickly. To combat this, run a simple graphite pencil through the sharpener periodically, like every 6-8 pencils. This cleans the sharpener and maintains the blades. Use artist pencils, even cheap $1 ones, *not* No.2 school pencils (they suck for this purpose.)*SHARPENING TIPS:*I've learned that how you sharpen is as important as your choice of sharpener. Here are some sharpening tips to get more out of your M&R Brass sharpener:>>>TIP #4: STANDARD SHARPENING TECHNIQUE:Sometimes frequent breakage or dull points are the result of poor sharpening technique. Many sources state that when sharpening colored pencils by hand you should turn the sharpener *not* the pencil. Turning the pencil instead (as most of us are used to doing) can stress the wood and torque the lead, which leads to breakages.1. Hold the sharpener in your dominant hand (usually the right).2. Hold the pencil in your non-dominant hand (usually the left).3. Keeping the pencil still, turn the sharpener away from you (about a half-turn).4. Reposition your fingers and continue turning the sharpener.5. Repeat as needed until the desired point is reached.>>>TIP #5: ALTERNATE SHARPENING TECHNIQUE:If the above method doesn't work for you, I actually do this odd hybrid method of sharpening, where I turn both the sharpener and the pencil simultaneously. (I don't know why I started doing this; it just happened.) I get nice sharp points with this method:1. Hold the sharpener in your non-dominant hand (usually the left).2. Place the sharpener so the blade side is facing the floor or away from you, with your palm facing upward.2. Then rotate the sharpener towards you with one hand (about a half-turn) while simultaneously turning the pencil away from you with the other, in one smooth movement. It's kind of similar to the movement you make when wringing out a wash cloth.3. Reposition your fingers and repeat as needed until the desired point is reached.*If it feels more natural to turn the sharpener away from you, then switch hands and do the reverse movement. Though it goes against conventional wisdom, I hold the sharpener in my left (non-dominant) hand because I find that turning towards me is a more natural movement. (Again, don't know why, just do.)>>>TIP #7: PRESERVING YOUR POINTS:Here's how to sharpen less often, preserving the length of your pencils.1) After sharpening do the smallest areas, corners and edges first, while the tip is still pointed. When the tip begins to blunt move to the larger areas, where a blunted tip is more effective at covering large areas anyway. This prevents you from having to resharpen more often.2) To extend the longevity of the points and the pencils, get an artist's sanding block. This is essentially a stack of fine sanding paper attached to a plank. A cheap one ($1-$2) will do the job and will last a long time, you don't need something expensive. When the tip starts to blunt, *gently* slide it along the sanding paper to resharpen or bevel. This re-points the tip without losing any wood. I find this lasts 1-2 rounds between full sharpenings.*CONCLUSION:*I give this Mobius & Ruppert Brass Round Double Hole hand sharpener *5-STARS* and heartily recommend it to anyone! Especiallly if you've been having difficulties when sharpening colored pencils with other brands.*HEY! If you liked this review, please click "Helpful" below so other shoppers can find it more easily. Thanks!*

What can I say? This is the sharpener I have been waiting for all my life. Think of all those bad pencil sharpening experiences you've had, since grade school, and all the different kinds of sharpeners, even those old big bulky electric ones. I got some vintage one that was supposed to be a favorite among architects, for $50.00. I was even going to buy that book called, How to sharpen a pencil, but I'm glad I held off. I've been led down the isle more than once by reviewers in love with their pencil sharpeners. I thought the Blackwing was going to be it.You already know the specs. All I know is that it has 3 holes, and you can make the point long or short, and I've not had one problem. Plus, what's the deal with this, it's like "conservative," in use of the pencil. I've noticed there is not as much waste, and it takes less time to sharpen it. It's a solid little sharpener, metal. Compact enough, not tiny; you can stick it in your pocket or purse. IThe points work. The "lead," doesn't fall out. It does not chew up the pencil. You don't have to empty it. I grind it over the garbage can next to my work table.I am an artist/painter, and Iconographer. I use a pencil quite a bit, daily, sometimes for hours. With mixed media, I am often using all kinds of pencils, from graphite, to charcoal, to pastel, you name it. Esp. for the money, do yourself a favor and try this one.I am going to buy these as gifts for people for Christmas this year. Super cool looking in person, too.Also, not one paid me to write this. I did not recieve any discount. Not that it's bad, just saying.

I bought my first one in 2017!!!!The Only reason I needed to buy another is… I misplaced it (or my cat swatted it under something). That aside, This sharpener performs Fantastic, never let me down. It is shaped like a thick round pill. The flat portion is where the blades are and the thick edges are for the pencil holes and grip. It is a weighty and solid brass/metal product. This fact allows you to really work your pencil to a perfect point. The edge has a bumpy or gritty texture to hold without slipping while the flat top/bottom sides have the sharpener blades embedded in them. It has two styles of sharpeners. The average and bigger size sharpening holes, therefore it has two blades that may need changing out eventually. I bought a container of new sharpening blades for it (the recommended one below the product). Since those components are on the outside, it was an easy accessible quick change. Just a small “phillips” screwdriver/jewelry four point screwdriver or creative solution made the change. There is only on down side.Although it is made amazingly well and solid, that weightiness causes it to fall or drop easily. I end up looking for it because it slid under a paper or fell in a blanket or couch where I was coloring. (that is probably why I am buying this one!!) There is probably a MacGyver (intelligent/simple) solution, I just dealt with it. Thank you for reading this. I hope it helps in your purchase decision.

This is the only sharpener I've found that doesn't break the Prismacolor. I have used it for one month now everyday, and it hasn't broken a single point thus far. It also works wonders with any pencil. It's reliable and sturdy. It's made in Germany and it's possible to find replacement blades. I enjoy its weight and it's a pleasure to draw with perfectly sharpened pencils.

Bought for the navigation table. Old fashioned pencils need to be sharp for charting when way off shore. No electricity, no adapters, no instruction and small. Perfect. Probably should get a backup.