Helix Metal Desktop Pencil Sharpener

[shed9]

I kept meaning to buy a half decent pencil sharpener for my workshop due to countless lost sharpeners or simple disappointment. One of the Helix metal desktop ones turned up as a stocking filler. This is hands down the best sharpener I have ever used. Very well made, stuck to the bench, no mess and the finest point I've ever managed to get on a normal graphite pencil.

Small thing I know but one of those items where I wish I'd bought one myself a lot earlier after only a few days of use.

 

[Walcote]

What make/model is it please. I like the sound of one of those for the workshop. Thanks.

 

[Doug71]

I treated myself to one last Christmas and yes it is brilliant, a joiner in the next unit to me now brings his pencils round to sharpen


Not sure if shed9 got the same model but mine is a Helix A5, just like we had at school

https://www.mapedhelix.co.uk/en_uk/desktop-pencil-sharpener.html

 

[pcb1962]

I treated myself to one last Christmas and yes it is brilliant, a joiner in the next unit to me now brings his pencils round to sharpen

I thought you pro's used those horrible flat carpenter's pencils?

 

[paulrbarnard]

I would love one of those! I put up with this triumph of form over function

 

[artie]

I thought you pro's used those horrible flat carpenter's pencils?

I bought myself a packet of flat pencils with an included sharpener at the builders suppliers a while back.
The sharpener does not in any way, form or fashion sharpen the pencil.
But it does put a nice taper on it, so that it's very easy to finish off with a penknife.

 

[shed9]

Not sure if shed9 got the same model but mine is a Helix A5, just like we had at school

https://www.mapedhelix.co.uk/en_uk/desktop-pencil-sharpener.html

That's the one, well worth the money.

 

[Doug71]

I thought you pro's used those horrible flat carpenter's pencils?

I don't know who uses those things, think they are just made that shape so companies can put their name on and give them away as freebies

I'm strictly a Staedtler Tradition 2H man although I have started keeping one of those Pica things on me, handy for rough marking and write on just about anything.

https://www.pica-marker.com/en/pen/pica-dry

 

[Robbo60]

we used to have competitions at school (60's) to see who could "sharpen" a whole pencil down the quickest. No teacher present obviously

 

[Fitzroy]

Oh I like that idea. I have recently discovered the importance of sharpening a pencil frequently during my work, to the extent I keep a sharpener in my pocket. Pencils last much less time but my marking out is way more precise, and easier to rub out when mistakes made, due to the finer lines.

Fitz.

 

[shed9]

Oh I like that idea. I have recently discovered the importance of sharpening a pencil frequently during my work, to the extent I keep a sharpener in my pocket. Pencils last much less time but my marking out is way more precise, and easier to rub out when mistakes made, due to the finer lines.

Fitz.

One thing I noticed with this sharpener is that the point lasts longer and is less brittle than using other sharpeners - if that makes sense? The cutting edge is a rotating helix which creates a uniform cut to the point which effectively means a strong point.

 

[Terrytpot]

Whilst I like the thought of a bench top mounted sharpener as I tend to use propelling pencils it would be a bit pointless. I tried really fancy ones to start off like this pentel:

but these days just use cheapo throw away ones like these :

 

[minilathe22]

I also recently purchased the helix sharpener shown above, my only disappointment is that the clear window is just that, it's a window only and not a drawer, so removing the shavings when full is a bit faffy. I seem to remember the ones at school had a removable drawer.

I tend to sharpen all my builders pencils in a batch on the bench sander, the rotary sharpeners seem to give them a fragile tip.

 

[Cheesehound]

I don't know who uses those things, think they are just made that shape so companies can put their name on and give them away as freebies

I'm strictly a Staedtler Tradition 2H man although I have started keeping one of those Pica things on me, handy for rough marking and write on just about anything.

https://www.pica-marker.com/en/pen/pica-dry

Quite impressed by the Pica-dry (I am a sucker for writing implements), but then at £22 it needs to impress.

I have a couple of these:

They have 2mm leads, a nifty sharpener in the end button, and if you need to mark through a drilled hole in a batten, you can let the lead out to an inch or so without much fear of breakage.

They last forever and come in at £7. Highly recommended.

Must admit I always found the traditional oval carpenter's pencil a bit pointless. No pun intended.

 

[Doug71]

Quite impressed by the Pica-dry (I am a sucker for writing implements), but then at £22 it needs to impress.

They are normally about £11, maybe you were looking at a double pack?


https://www.tooled-up.com/pica-dry-...6_1609419984_f51678e23f276a474c853e5f49b8eab1
Or nearly 50% more if you want the same pencil but with Festool written on the side


https://www.tooled-up.com/festool-f...6_1609419858_dff9c54ac3d4b94aed647d076d54313b

 

[Cheesehound]

They are normally about £11, maybe you were looking at a double pack?


https://www.tooled-up.com/pica-dry-...6_1609419984_f51678e23f276a474c853e5f49b8eab1
Or nearly 50% more if you want the same pencil but with Festool written on the side


https://www.tooled-up.com/festool-f...6_1609419858_dff9c54ac3d4b94aed647d076d54313b

Beg pardon, Doug - yes it was in fact a bundle which I'd looked at.

 

[pcb1962]

Must admit I always found the traditional oval carpenter's pencil a bit pointless. No pun intended.

Can someone who actually uses those please tell us what is the reason for them?
In what situation is it useful to have a wide flat lead rather than a point?

 

[Ttrees]

For marking waste out before you cut the wrong side of the line!!!
As for a wider line again...
I like the lead sticks you can get from the art shop, which look like a 10mm allen keys, the one I have, they do a good scribble.
They don't seem to wear atall, I've had one for a few years,
and don't mark into the wood compared to a carpenters pencil.

 

[minilathe22]

apparently the carpenters pencils are not round so they do not roll when placed on an angled surface. I use them when I am doing rough marking out and want a thicker line.

 

[gregmcateer]

apparently the carpenters pencils are not round so they do not roll when placed on an angled surface. I use them when I am doing rough marking out and want a thicker line.

And for stirring tea, or at a push, spooning noodles out of the pot when someone has nicked your spoon. DAMHIK