Would you like to know what seems to be a daily frustration for me when we are having school? Not having a pencil that works properly. Do you know why this happens? Well, yes, of course pencils that are being used are going to wear down and need sharpening as the week goes on. That is not what I am talking about though. I am talking about pencils that come out of the sharpener looking like this:
I am talking about pencils that have been sharpened and sharpened but the point keeps breaking off in the sharpener. I have had pencils that have been whittled down to next to nothing while trying to get a point to appear. I thought I had a good sharpener. I had to replace mine recently because the motor in the one I had for years had finally died. The new one I purchased seemed great at first, but it was so powerful it was destroying pencils and it was so LOUD!
I was intrigued when I came across a new-to-me company called
Classroom Friendly Supplies. This company is owned by an elementary teacher who was tired of loud and inefficient pencil sharpeners present in the classroom.
Yes, I was intrigued, but I was also skeptical. Was this really as great as it was being made out to be? I had to try it out for myself. I was so thankful that the owner was willing to join with me for my Back to School/5 Year Blogiversary Celebration.
I gathered some poor abused pencils, both regular number 2 pencils and colored pencils. The colored pencils suffered much more at the blades of the old pencil sharpener. I wanted to see if I could restore them.
Next I set up the pencil sharpener.
This front slides out and clicks into place.
In order for the pencil to slide into the sharpener you need to press the tabs together.
The pencil slides right into place...
and is held steady by the little teeth.
As the sharpener is holding onto the pencil, you have two hands free. One to hold onto the sharpener and one to turn the crank. As the pencil sharpens, the front plate moves in with the pencil.
Here, let me share a short video from Classroom Friendly Supplies
I was extremely impressed with the results.
In case you are still not convinced, I wanted to share a few more pictures.
I can't stop talking about the wonderful results of this pencil sharpener. In fact, I keep looking around the house to see if there are more pencils that need sharpened. It is so easy to use, even without instructions I was able to use it with ease (which is saying something).
In case you are wondering, it is also just as simple to empty the shavings.
All you need to do is push the tray out from the back. It comes all the way out to be emptied and is easily reinserted.
Classroom Friendly Supplies also include a clamp if you would like to attach it somewhere more permanently. We, however, have no where to attach it, so I keep it on my counter and it is ready for use at all times.
I am 100% impressed with the quality of this product. Here is what I like:
- Well made, sturdy design
- Ease of use
- Quieter than electric pencil sharpeners
- No motor to wear out
- Blades are replaceable (a set of two can be purchased for $22.99)
- Shaving are disposed of easily
- Pencils are sharpened to a perfect point
- Sharpener stops sharpening after perfect point is achieved.
- A clamp is included (though as I haven't used it, I can't speak to it's effectiveness)
Having just received it, I can't speak to the longevity of this product. I hope to have it around for a long time though.
I have one warning I would like to share with you. Remember I showed you how the front pulls out and clicks into place to hold the pencil? Well, if no pencil is inserted and you turn the crank, the front plate will snap into place. Not a problem, unless your finger is in the way. Ooops and ouch. It will sting a little, but no permanent damage was done.
You can purchase the pencil sharpener in 5 different colors:
Each of these sharpeners can be purchased for $24.99. A set of 3 can be purchased for $53.97. In case you will be purchasing large quantities, they also offer a school discount- 36 sharpeners for $503.64. They also now offer a large hole sharpener for those larger pencils. It sells for the same price.
You can check out all the products they offer at their
website.
You can also find them on
Facebook.
This ingenious sharpener can be yours!
Classroom Friendly Supplies has generously offered to include a Pencil Sharpener in your choice of color in my Back to School/5 Year Blogiversary Celebration.
Don't miss out on the Grand Prize Giveaway!
Click here to enter the giveaway.
How would you like some extra entries into this giveaway before it even starts?
Head on over to the Classroom Friendly Supplies website and tell me something you learned. Leave the answer here in the comments with your email and when the giveaway is live I will email you the secret code to place in the Rafflecopter for a bonus 10 points.
Don't miss out on the Grand Prize Giveaway!
Click here to enter the giveaway.
