How to Use the Palomino-KUM Long Point Pencil Sharpener

The Palomino-KUM® Long Point Pencil Sharpener creates a long pencil point in two steps.

1. Insert the pencil into Hole 1 and sharpen with a firm, but easy pressure holding the pencil straight. The first step sharpens only the wood and should leave the graphite exposed. The graphite may have slight spiral marks at this point. These will sharpen out during step 2. Best results occur when you sharpen until the point of the graphite is just short of the stop. Oversharpening up to and past the point of the stop will result in breaking the graphite. How close you sharpen up to the stop will determine the final sharpness of the finished pencil point after step 2.
2. Hole 2 is used to sharpen just the graphite. Insert the pencil gently until it’s firmly seated then turn it with light pressure while feeling the graphite being shaved down until the blade begins to bite at the wood. A final smooth twist to cut just a small sliver of wood and grpahite at this point should result in a smooth even transition from graphite to wood cone. Over sharpening with too much pressure here can result in breaking the graphite point.

You can see this process in action on our video:

You can also see author Clive Thompson demonstrate the Palomino-KUM® Long Point Pencil Sharpener in this video from Boing Boing.

If the blade does not seem to bite in Hole 2 without substantial extra force that breaks the lead you should first check to see if the blade has been fully tightened into place. Try tightening the screw that holds the blade in place. If this doesn’t improve the situation try replacing the blade with one of the two spare blades that are provided with the sharpener. These blades are located at the back of the sharpener.

Over time the blades may wear to a point resluting in rougher surface or more dificulty sharpening and can be replaced with the spares provided. Replacement blades are also available for purchase at the Pencils.com store.

In the event you have further problems or questions that the above suggestions do not adequatley address please contact us for further assistance..