STAEDTLER Pencil Sharpener Review – Dual-Hole Tub Sharpener Tested
STAEDTLER Double-Hole Tub Pencil Sharpener: Dual Size Manual Sharpener for Standard Graphite & Colored Pencils - Compact Design - Ideal for Classroom, Home, Office, & Art Studio
STAEDTLER
- DUAL-HOLE VERSATILITY – Two sharpening holes (approx. 8.2mm standard & 10.2mm large) fit most graphite and colored pencils. Ideal for #2 school pencils and slightly larger diameter pencils
- PRECISION STEEL BLADES – High-quality metal blades create clean, sharp points with reduced breakage when used properly. Designed for consistent sharpening results
- BUILT-IN SHAVINGS CONTAINER – Integrated tub collects shavings for mess-free use at school, home, or office. Empty frequently for best results
- SECURE PUSH-BUTTON LOCK – Lid helps prevent accidental opening and spills, keeping desks and bags clean during transport. Compact size fits easily in pencil cases and backpacks
Quick Verdict
Pros
- Two-hole design handles both standard #2 pencils and thicker colored pencils without switching devices
- Built-in shavings container keeps desks and bags clean during use and transport
- Push-button lid lock prevents accidental spills in backpacks and pencil cases
- Metal blades produce consistently clean, sharp points with less breakage than plastic alternatives
- Compact enough to fit in a standard pencil case or desk drawer without taking up much space
Cons
- The 8.2mm standard hole chewed through a few of my softer colored pencils before I adjusted my technique
- Emptying the container requires a full twist-open — it won't just hinge open, which feels slightly fiddly for classroom speed
- No wall-mount option if you need to bolt it to a desk in a permanent setup
Quick Verdict
The STAEDTLER pencil sharpener is the kind of tool you don't think about until you need it — and then you're glad it exists. Its dual-hole design means I stopped hunting for separate sharpeners for my colored pencils versus my everyday writing pencils. After three weeks of real use, it earns a solid recommendation. I'd rate it 4.4 out of 5. The built-in shavings container and push-button lock are genuinely useful touches that justify its price point over basic single-hole sharpeners.
What Is the STAEDTLER Double-Hole Tub Pencil Sharpener?
It is a manual tabletop sharpener with two differently sized holes — one for standard #2 graphite pencils (around 8.2mm) and one for larger diameter colored pencils (around 10.2mm). The body is a self-contained tub that collects the shavings as you crank, and the lid snaps shut with a push-button mechanism to prevent spills during transport.
I first encountered this sharpener when my daughter's teacher asked parents to send in a sharpener that wouldn't scatter pencil stubs across the classroom floor. The STAEDTLER name carried enough weight that I trusted it on sight — the brand has been making precision drawing and writing instruments since 1835, and that heritage shows in the build quality. Straight out of the packaging it felt solid, not hollow or cheap. The blade housing has a reassuring weight to it.
Key Features
- Dual-hole versatility — two holes (8.2mm and 10.2mm) cover most graphite and colored pencils in one device
- Precision steel blades — metal construction for clean, consistent points and reduced breakage
- Integrated shavings tub — collects shavings mess-free; lid locks for spill-proof transport
- Push-button lock lid — prevents accidental opening in bags, desks, or backpacks
- Compact footprint — palm-sized; fits in pencil cases, desk drawers, or art supply caddies
- STAEDTLER brand quality — backed by a long-standing German manufacturer of art and office supplies
Hands-On Review
My testing started on a rainy Saturday morning — the kind where you're stuck indoors and end up reorganizing the junk drawer. I grabbed a handful of pencils: a classic #2 Ticonderoga, a STAEDTLER colored pencil (the round-bodied kind), and a slightly thicker wax-based artist pencil. I wanted to see if the dual holes actually delivered on their promise or if it was just marketing.
Using the standard hole on the graphite pencil took about five full cranks. The point came out clean, not scraped or jagged. I immediately noticed the shavings dropping neatly into the tub rather than scattering across the drawer. By the third pencil I was appreciating how quiet the cranking mechanism is compared to the wobbly sharpener that came free with our desk organizer.
The colored pencil test was where I hesitated. These pencils have a softer wax core and I've had mixed results with manual sharpeners — sometimes they splinter, sometimes they just gum up. I used the larger 10.2mm hole. The first two colored pencils cranked smoothly and produced a usable point. The third one, a very soft yellow that I suspect was older and slightly over-dried, caught twice and I heard that unmistakable creak of resistance. I eased off the pressure, backed it out, and tried again more gently — that fixed it. The lesson: with very soft colored pencils, slow and steady really does matter.
What surprised me was the shavings container. On day one I thought, "this will fill up fast in a classroom." It does, but not as fast as I expected. I sharpened roughly 25 pencils (graphite and colored mixed) before the container needed emptying. The twist-open lid is secure — I deliberately shook the sharpener in my hand after closing it, and nothing rattled loose. For a backpack or a kid's desk, that push-button lock actually works as advertised.
By the end of the first week the sharpener had migrated from my desk to my daughter's art corner. She's seven and handles it without assistance now, which is saying something for a manual sharpener. The one thing nobody mentions in the listings: the blades don't self-sharpen or reset. After heavy use over several weeks you'll want to inspect the holes for accumulated shavings and clean them out with a dry brush. It takes 30 seconds but it keeps the points consistent.
Who Should Buy It?
- Classroom teachers — the dual-hole design handles both homework pencils and art-class colored pencils in one device; the sealed container means no shavings on the floor
- Parents of school-age children — the push-button lock lid survives backpacks, and the compact size fits in a standard pencil case
- Home artists and hobbyists — if you switch between graphite sketching pencils and colored pencils frequently, the dual holes save a device swap
- Office workers with shared supply rooms — it is sturdy enough for daily use and the shavings container keeps the surrounding area clean
Skip this if you need a high-volume sharpener for an art studio running through dozens of thick artist pencils daily — an electric heavy-duty sharpener will serve you better. And if you are looking for a wall-mounted or desk-mounted option, this is purely a portable, freestanding tool.
Alternatives Worth Considering
- AFMAT Metal Bullet Pencil Sharpener — a single-hole portable option that is even more compact, ideal for travel or pencil cases with minimal space. No shavings container, so you will need a separate dish or tray.
- Westcott Color coded Desk Sharpener — a classroom-style floor or desk-mounted sharpener with a larger waste bin. Better for high-volume shared use but not portable.
- STAEDTLER Mars Plastic 552 — a budget-friendly single-hole sharpener from the same brand. Same steel blade quality but without the dual-hole versatility or built-in container.
FAQ
The two holes accommodate approximately 8.2mm (standard #2/graphite) and 10.2mm (larger diameter colored pencils). Most standard school pencils and slightly oversized art pencils work fine.
Final Verdict
The STAEDTLER pencil sharpener does exactly what it promises and does it well. The dual-hole design is genuinely convenient if you work with both graphite and colored pencils, the shavings container keeps things clean, and the push-button lock makes it backpack-safe for students. It is not the fastest sharpener on the market and the blades are not replaceable, but for the price and build quality those are reasonable trade-offs. If you want a reliable, compact, dual-purpose manual sharpener backed by a respected brand, this STAEDTLER model is worth picking up.