When it comes to sharpening a pencil, I tend to be a little picky.
Yes, I have an electric sharpener on my desk at work—but there is no beating a basic hand sharpener for getting the exact point every time.
I began using a hand sharpener several years ago out of convenience. They were always available and except for the shavings the were easy to use and store.
What DO I do with the shavings? Typically, I pull out a page of scrap paper or even paper out of the nearest waste basket and sharpen my pencil over that page for the duration of my writing. It’s a relatively simple process.
There are many different sharpeners, some for long Points and some for short. I haven’t found my preference yet, because I really don’t over think it. As long as the pencil get sharpened, then I’m happy. However, I do sharpen my pencils a lot because I like to have the point as sharp as possible.
Not only, do I believe that the hand sharpener makes the best points; using one doesn’t chew up my pencils as fast. I use primarily Ticonderoga pencils at work so, I’m not as concerned that I blow through them—I have more than enough. But, on my nicer pencils I don’t want to chew them up as fast, so I will use a hand sharpener for these.
To me the pencil is best used after it is sharpened by you basic everyday hand sharpener which you can pick up at drug stores for cheap or hobby supply stores for higher quality.