This sharpener puts perfect, sharp, strong, points on pencils. It’s on par (or even better) than the Kum Meisterwerk (aka Masterpiece) sharpener, especially for general wiring purposes. The Meisterwerk creates a longer tapered profile than the AS2. It also catches all the wood and lead shavings so there isn’t a mess. The blades are sharp and easily cut into pencil wood (It also uses the same blades as the Meisterwerk). Highly recommended if you are looking for something reasonably priced and excellent performing.

I recommend going ahead and putting some tape across that clear plastic hinge. It will fail. It is a matter of time. the rest of the design is good, especially at this price. Worth it almost for the blades alone. Look for replacement blades at Blick. Killer sale near xmas 2024.

This is the first two-stage sharpener I've owned, and I can't believe what a great tool it is. It's like having all the control of knife sharpening, but none of the hassle.If you've never used one before, you sharpen the wood in the first hole, and the graphite in second hole, so there's no guesswork. (It's not the same as sharpeners that have a small hole for regular pencils and a larger hole for wider ones.) Another advantage is you can see what you're going - there's no sticking your pencil in a hole crossing your fingers that the tip doesn't snap off. And it produces an incredibly sharp tip.I've included a comparison picture with two other sharpeners - an inexpensive Staedtler metal sharpener that I've used for years, and a Blackwing One-Pull that I received as a gift. Although the Blackwing struggled until I bought replacement blades for it, now it's fantastic, and all three produce great results. That said, the KUM is sharper, you have more control with it, and it works great every single time. It doesn't feel nearly as nice in the hand as the other tools, but, if I was getting rid of the clutter in my life and paring down to one sharpener, I'd keep the KUM Automatic without hesitation, even though it's plastic. Plus, it's CHEAP, and it includes extra blades. In terms of how much satisfaction I've gotten for such a small expenditure, this is probably one of the greatest purchases I've ever made. Highly recommended.

The KUM LONG-POINT PENCIL SHARPENER(S), looks a little more sophisticated than the usual hand-sharpener for pencils -- and is also a bit more expensive. But it's worth it! : )Desk-(or wall) manual-type sharpeners might last a bit longer, and electric sharpeners might be easier to use -- but each of these have drawbacks. Desk-or-wall manual-type sharpeners must be anchored to desk or wall, either by suction, (desk), or nails, (wall. This means one must always get up from where one is sitting to sharpen one's pencils; yes, it gives excercise, but can also be a nuisance after a while. Most electric sharpeners also cannot be taken to one's desk, and used while sitting down --plus they have an annoying habit of seeming to "grab" the pencil, and you, the person sharpening the pencil, has very little control over the sharpening action. Often, electric pencil sharpeners sharpen way to much of the pencil off, (the "Sorcerer's Apprentice Syndrome", seen in many electric appliances, and in some too-over-eager housekeepers, sigh!) As part of this....electric pencil sharpeners can actually break pencil points, far too often....This KUM Long-Point Pencil Sharpener, like all hand-held pencil sharpeners, can be.....well, held in your hand! And carried around, and placed in pocket, purse, or just near you on the desk, and nosuction cupping, (which often doesn't work), is needed!What makes this KUM Long-Point Pencil Sharpener different is that it has TWO holes. One might think: "...Wow! Two blades! This will save a lot of money, because when the first blade gets dull, I can use the second blade!" Well, it doesn't work quite like that. You CAN save money -- but on pencils, not on the pencil sharpener.Hole No. One, you see, is for pencils that have never had a point. What sharpening in Hole No. One does, you see, is to sharpen JUST THE OUTSIDE WOOD OF THE PENCIL. If you continue sharpening, ONLY in Hole No. 1, you will get lead coming out of the wood, forming a point, (of sorts), but NOT a very sharp one. If what you are using the pencil for does NOT require too sharp a point, you actually CAN save money this way -- for, in sharpening a point, you are actually creating a sort of elongated "cone" shape, and to create this "cone" shape, part of the lead itself must be taken off.... If you don't need a sharp point, though, you don't need the point....and the KUM No. 1 Hole is then enough. You will obviously save some of the lead this way. Not much....but all those little bits of pencil lead that are not dispensed with to make a point, do add up! I DON'T KNOW OF ANY OTHER PENCIL SHARPENER THAT WILL DO THIS!If, however, what you are doing requires a very sharp point, the KUMLong-Point Pencil Sharpener will give you this, as well! Just use Hole No. 2 after having used Hole No. 1. Carefully sharpening in Hole No. 2 will now give you a nice, long, and very sharp point!I noticed, just now, that one is supposed to get two extra blades with this sharpener. I did not see any in the package, but looking very closely, I do see two pieces of metal, held in place by screws, in a separate compartment in my KUM hand-held sharpener. But they look far too short to be replacement blades....Hmmmm... What to do when the blades get dull? Well, I remember Peg Bracken, in her "I HATE TO HOUSEKEEP BOOK" mentioning that one could sharpen scissors by cutting non-soaped steel-wool pads in half. I don't happen to have any steel-wool pads at home at present....but may consider buying some. However, doing so JUST to sharpen the blades on a pencil sharpener may be a false economy. Maybe I'll just be happy with all the extra lead my KUM Hand-held pencil sharpener is giving me. Because right now, I'm lucky enough NOT to need extra sharp pencils...Every little bit helps! $ : )