03/10/2026
First, choose the side with holes that fit your pencil. Then, turn your pencil in the right-hand hole, shaving the outer wood. Move to the left and the blade sharpens the lead. The idea, from renowned pencil maker Kitaboshi, is that the two separate steps reduce pressure and minimise lead breakage. Definitely worthwhile if you've got fancy pencils!
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This struck me as particularly Japanese: each part to do a particular job perfectly. When I visited pottery kilns in Seto, each person had a single job in the creative process. Rather than viewing this as a repetitive factory-style grind, each person is a proud master of that element with skill built over years. Even if your part is small, do it to the best of your ability to create a better whole.
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The sharpener even comes with replaceable steel blades to extend its lifespan. Not sure where that fits in my comparison.
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Get it in the shop and on the website.
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