Retro Pencil sharpeners to point out

September 23, 2024

Since i have been making my bag charms, i have become fixated on some items that are iconic and practical. I have been scouring Vinted for cool things to add to the charms. They have to be iconic, cute and as a designer, be classic design items. Lately i have been looking into pencil sharpeners, don't ask me why. I have found a bunch of very nice pencil sharpeners which are nostalgic and, in my opinion design classics. Here they are.

Faber Castell classic silver metal single pencil sharpener

Desktop crank sharpener by Caran D'ache

For the colour pencil gang, this desktop crank sharpener is made by the pencil manufacturer Caran D'ache. The RRP is almost £200, so definitely one for the serious colourer or collector.

Buy this one here at Cass Art.

A timeless iconic metal desk top pencil sharpener suitable for both round and hexagonal pencils of 4 to 10mm diameter.

The machine includes a lead point sharpness adjustment feature, large capacity shavings tray and a table clamp.

Created in 1933, the celebrated accessory has transcended the years and reinvented itself. Its precision, robustness and cult design continue to delight generations of pencil-lovers looking for the ideal sharpening tool. Dressed in red, this edition offers a colourful alternative to the grey sharpening machine already available in the standard collection. This vibrant yet elegant colour transforms the desks of anyone who loves attractive objects

Classic 80's translucent plastic pot pencil sharpener.

An 80s classic, i had one of these when i was in primary school. Being able to see the sharpenings dropping into the little pot is very satisfying. The primary colours with its very simple design is simple and straight forward and small enough to keep in a pencil case.

Wheelie Bin promotional pencil sharpener

This one is very cute and i had not come across it until i started doing some research. Its hard not to like a miniature item, and this one is both cute and functional and a great concept. I would like to have one of these and would have liked it even more when i was 10 years old! You can see more about this one HERE

Classic plastic single primary coloured pencil sharpener

This seems to me, the Bic Biro equivalent pencil sharpener. Iconic, simple and primary coloured goodness.

Often the most simple version of a product is the best. This sharpener is the kind of item that a child would draw or imagine when asked to think about a pencil sharpener. It is a classic and a staple item in every stationery cupboard around the world.

Boston Model 19 Electric Pencil Sharpener

This is a classic electric pencil sharpener made in the USA. A classic classroom staple, probably well known by school teachers in the USA in the 80s and 90s. It reminds me of a Braun radio. The tan and brown colourway may seem ugly to many people but i think this is a beautiful classic item

I can almost see the kids sitting up straight and putting their hands up in the air to volunteer to sharpen the classes colour pencils using this amazing machine.

So that is my list of iconic pencil sharpeners. I do love some of the newer more novelty sharpeners too but my favourite are the stripped down simple 80s iconic sharpeners that you see here in this blog post. Did you own any of these items? Do you think sharpeners are used as much as they were in the 80s and 90s? i guess with computers, phones and tablets, people don't use pencils as much any more, so that is why these items seem even more special.

Goodordering Pencil case / art bag

You can fit lots of things in our transparent pencil case which also has additional zip and slip pockets. Try it out for stationery or even make up or craft supplies. It makes the perfect gift as its uses are so versatile.

Sharpeners in Art - Michael Craig-Martin

Just when i finished writing this blog post, i came across artist Michael Craig-Martin, an artist whose bold illustrative works boil iconic objects down to simple lines. Here is one i found of a pencil sharpener and next to it, a casette tape. You can see his work right now at the Royal Academy of Art. It is on until the 10th December 2024.