X-Acto Vacuum Mount Pencil Sharpener

Comments about X-Acto Vacuum Mount Pencil Sharpener:

This sharpener mounts solidly on my glass desktop table and my drafting table top. I have sharpened Faber-Castell colored pencils and Derwent graphitint, and studio pencils, and Caran d'Ache grafwood pencils. They all sharpen to a tapered point that is as much as 1/2 inch long. Be sure to insert the pencils until you feel a solid connection with the internal blades then turn the handle for a slow grind. This will produce a beautiful point. I have purchased electric pencil sharpeners and none of them would sharpen these pencils at all.

Comments about X-Acto Vacuum Mount Pencil Sharpener:

I like how the vacuum mount is strong enough to keep the whole unit still while I sharpen my pencils.
It is portable. I can put it in my bag and take it with me.
With other sharpeners, I will break the point 4, 5, 6, times before I will get a solid point. With this sharpener, It is usually the first time maybe a second but not usually.,

Comments about X-Acto Vacuum Mount Pencil Sharpener:

Happy to get this sharpener at the sale price! Works wonderfully with all sizes and types of pencils. Even the thick Derwents. I use it for Prismas, graphite and even pastel pencils.

Comments about X-Acto Vacuum Mount Pencil Sharpener:

The vacuum mount does not stay consistent and this is the second one that I purchased this year and it's unreliable and a waste of money. Once the vacuum mount is inoperable, the entire unit is worthless. Sharpens great though when it is working!

Comments about X-Acto Vacuum Mount Pencil Sharpener:

Useful for both home and work. I create, sign and number artwork. This is the best pencil sharpener (electric or manual) that I've ever used.

Comments about X-Acto Vacuum Mount Pencil Sharpener:

Sharpener sharpens well. The problem is the vacuum suction. I can usually only sharpen one or two pencils before it pops off again so it's a pain to let my students use it. I've found that if the surface is clean and I moisten the suction cup it sticks better but still not great.

I got this sharpener because I'm an art teacher on a cart. I thought it would be great to have a sharpener that I could easily mount on my cart and take if from room to room. If you don't need mobility, I would suggest getting the xacto sharpener that mounts with screws. It's cheaper anyway.

Comments about X-Acto Vacuum Mount Pencil Sharpener:

I lost an old reliable suction clamp Boston sharpener and tried replacing it with a newer model with a lot of plastic parts. There was no comparison. It broke within the first two weeks. I've been on the prowl for an equally reliable, sharp sharpener to take the place of my original and when I saw the Exacto in Blick's catalog, I gave it a whirl. It not only whirls smoothly but has sharpened to a great, even point (only one lopsided sharpening) better than 95% of the time -- even with pastel and charcoal pencils which I perennial grind down to nothing in an effort to sharpen them. A good solid product.

Comments about X-Acto Vacuum Mount Pencil Sharpener:

i`d give this 1 star for stability and suction, and 5 for blades and sharpening. I used this same sharpener when I was a kid in primary and we had hundreds of students churn through it with no dysfunction of th blades, their fantastic sharpeners, as good as it gets imho. we used to have them "clamped" to the desk somehow. I bought one last year

I rarely use it because whats with the suction underneath? so aggravating that it keeps dislodging from the table, you need a smooth surface of granite or metal or it wont hold, even then it dislodges after some use, I would have designed this with a clamp system like many bench lights. with atleast a 2-3 inch clamp screw, I hope they redesign it because I`ll buy a couple more.

I 'would love"to recommend this to a friend because of its robust cutting action, but how can I when I know its going to drive them crazy and think i`m an idiot for telling them to buy something that dislodges half the time.

its like saying well the ferrari has a great motor, but the wheels come off every half mile so good luck anyway.

Comments about X-Acto Vacuum Mount Pencil Sharpener:

I have owned this sharpener for five years and I am very satisfied with the quality of the product and the consistent points it makes on my graphite pencils. I have used this in my classroom for the 5 yrs. The vacuum can be a bit weak, but can be easily improved. With just a bit of liquid applied to the pad it is possible to sharpen a dozen or so pencils without having to recharge the suction. I like the fact that I can use it on my desk top and then put it inside of my desk until I need it. Students only use this sharpener when I am around to see that nothing weird gets sharpened. It has lasted five years of heavy use on a daily basis and is still operating just as it did the day I bought it. What more do you want in a sharpener? It remains more reliable than my two electric sharpeners.

Comments about X-Acto Vacuum Mount Pencil Sharpener:

The vaccum mount is the weak point; while handy in design, it sometimes fails to hold. The sharpener is great, like other X-acto sharpeners, however the vaccum mount is more of a pain then a gain.