1, 2, 3 ... I’m sharpening my pencil ... See!
Written: Mar 20 '04 (Updated Mar 20 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Hardened steel cutting blades, removable shavings bin, low noise level, 6-foot cord
Cons: No light to indicate pencil has finished sharpening
The Bottom Line: The Bottom Line is nice and pointy ... this Stanley pencil sharpener does a great job!
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| dlstewart's Full Review: Stanley Contemporary Electric Pencil Sharpener Bla... |
Okay, the title of my review won’t win any awards, but it does sum up the Stanley Contemporary Electric Pencil Sharpener (Model # 02695) quite well. This electric pencil sharpener is as easy to use as saying 1, 2, 3.
What the Pencil Sharpener Looks Like
This pencil sharpener has a nice contemporary look with flowing lines and simple design. Pretty much all of the plastic is black in color with the exception of the light-gray oval around the hole where the pencil is sharpened. No doubt the manufacturer thought this “bulls eye” approach would help people more easily locate the opening.
A smoke-colored plastic slide-out bin holds the pencil shavings. This bin has a snug fit, too. It’s easy to remove, yet fits tight so as not to unexpectedly fall out. As one who has used old-fashioned pencil sharpeners and inadvertently dumped the shavings onto the floor, the well-fitting bin on this Stanley pencil sharpener is much appreciated.
A black rubber footing fits the entire bottom of the sharpener. This is a nice feature that protects the desk or table surface from scratches.
How the Sharpener Works
I’m sure you don’t need me to explain how a pencil sharpener works, but I want this to be a thorough review. Plug the pencil sharpener into an electrical outlet, and you are ready to begin pencil sharpening.
Simply insert the graphite end of the pencil into the sharpener. I hold the pencil with one hand and rest the other hand on top of the pencil sharpener so that it doesn’t move as I insert the pencil into the opening. Firmly holding the pencil in place, the electric sharpener automatically begins to sharpen. Everyone has their own pencil sharpening style. I gently twist the pencil in the sharpener to make sure all sides of the pencil receive equal attention from the hardened-steel sharpening blades.
This pencil sharpener produces an incredibly sharp point, too. Looking at the three pencils I just sharpened, it appears that if I threw them at a dartboard, they would easily penetrate the cork surface. (Not that I would test the pencils against a dartboard mind you. I’d hate to miss and have a pencil hanging out of the wall!) The steel pencil sharpener cutting blades do an excellent job of creating a smooth cut in addition to the sharp point.
When the shaving bin is filled with pencil shavings, simply give the bin a tug. The bin slips free from the pencil sharpener. Empty the bin and push it back into the sharpener. It’s simple.
Also, this pencil sharpener has a safety feature. If the blades are exposed, the pencil sharpener will not work.
Likes
* Slim sharpener body takes up less room on a desk
* Snug fitting, yet easy to remove shaving bin
* Hardened-steel blades do an excellent cutting job
* Pencil sharpener noise level is low
* Rubber footing protects desk or table surface
* Long 6-foot electrical cord
* Safety feature prevents pencil sharpener from working if blades are exposed
Dislikes
Not really a dislike, but the pencil needs to be pushed firmly into the sharpener. Also, one hand needs to rest on the sharpener to prevent the sharpener from moving while one is pushing the pencil into the sharpening hole. It’s not an inconvenience, but I wanted to mention it.
It would also be nice if the pencil sharpener had a light that illuminated when the pencil was done sharpening. Instead, gut instinct and an increasingly shortening pencil are your clues for when the pencil is sharp.
Purchasing this Pencil Sharpener
I bought this pencil sharpener six months ago at my local BJ’s Wholesale store for about $18.00. I’ve also seen this same model pencil sharpener for sale at staples.com for $20.99.
Summary
The Stanley Contemporary Electric Pencil Sharpener is an excellent desk- or table-top pencil sharpener. Every pencil I have sharpened has a smooth cut and pointy writing tip. Being electric, I don’t have to worry about batteries running out. With the seconds it takes to sharpen pencils, I can spend more time writing Epinions!
Additional Information
Pencil Sharpener Dimensions: 2 3/4" wide x 6" long x 4 1/2" tall
Bin Dimensions for Shavings: 2 1/4" wide x 2 1/2" long x 1 3/4" deep
Cord Length: 72" (6 feet)
Weight: 2 pounds
UL & CSA Approved
Colors Available: Black & Putty
Stanley U.S. Phone #: 1-800-556-6696 – Hours: 8am-6pm EST (M-F)
Stanley Canada Phone #: 1-800-567-7705 – Hours: 8am-4:30pm EST (M-F)
Please read my other reviews.
Electric 3-hole Paper Punch
Stanley Heavy-Duty Stapler for up to 120 Sheets
Mighty Bright Light
Sanford Sharpie Twin Tip Marker
Adjustable 48" x 24" Table
JVC XV-N44SL DVD Player
Gateway 500X Desktop Computer
Logitech Cordless Optical Mouse
Rubbermaid Chair Mat
Rubbermaid 3-Drawer File Tower
Belkin Home Office UPS Emergency Battery Backup
Copyright 2004 Dawn L. Stewart
Recommended:
Yes
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