Caran d'Ache Pencil Sharpening Machine, Black

The Caran d’Ache Pencil Sharpening Machine is a desk-mounted, crank pencil sharpener that will sharpen graphite and coloured pencils between 4 and 8 mm in diamateter. It has an easy release drawer that should be emptied regularly to get rid of sharpenings. The desk mount will fit surfaces up to 42mm deep. This sharpener is not suitable for chalk, crayons, pastel pencils and soft colouring pencils as they can clog up or damage the cutter blades.

To sharpen simply pinch the handles at the top of the sharpener and pull forward to release them from the main body of the sharpener. Insert your pencil into the aperture at the front of the sharpener as far as it will go then release the handles. Turn the handle on the back of the sharpener and your pencil will be held in place as the helical blade sharpens its point. Once sharp the crank should turn without resistance and you can release your pencil by pinching the handles again.

If you find that a helical sharpener isn’t working as it should it’s quite possible that there is loose lead caught in the blade. Disassemble and gently clean then blade and your pencil sharpener should work effectively again.