Best Antique Pencil Sharpeners of 2026

Rebecca Cantu Avatar
Rebecca Cantu
Last Updated: Jan 21, 2026

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Antique pencil sharpeners are a unique collectible item that have become increasingly popular in recent years. These sharpeners were produced during a time when pencil sharpening was a daily task for many students and professionals. They were crafted with intricate details and made from a variety of materials such as cast iron, brass, and steel. Antique pencil sharpeners come in a wide range of designs, from simple hand-held models to elaborate desk-mounted versions. They are not only functional, but also serve as a decorative piece for any office or home workspace. Whether you are a collector or simply appreciate the charm of vintage items, antique pencil sharpeners are a must-have addition to any collection.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Bostitch Twist-n-Sharp Pencil Sharpener (PS1-ADJ) Cover #TOP 1
Bostitch Twist-n-Sharp Pencil Sharpener (PS1-ADJ)
ftb score rating icon 9.8
X-ACTO Mighty Mite Electric Pencil Sharpener Cover #TOP 2
X-ACTO Mighty Mite Electric Pencil Sharpener
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Amazon Basics Portable Electric Pencil Sharpener Cover #TOP 3
Amazon Basics Portable Electric Pencil Sharpener
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Antique Pencil Sharpeners

Bostitch Twist-n-Sharp Pencil Sharpener (PS1-ADJ)

PS1-ADJ
Assorted
Single
Bostitch Twist-n-Sharp Pencil Sharpener (PS1-ADJ) Cover
Bostitch Office Pencil Sharpener, Manual, One Assorted Color, Twist-n-Sharp, Kids, Boys, Girls, Colored Pencils, 1 Pack

The Bostitch Twist-n-Sharp Pencil Sharpener is a must-have for kids and colored pencil enthusiasts. With its premium Rachet Technology, you can enjoy comfortable and fast sharpening, unlike other pencil sharpeners. The attached dispenser drawers allow for easy cleaning of the shavings, ensuring that you never lose the door piece. The center dial in the center of the sharpener offers customizable sharpening, allowing you to choose between a sharp or blunt point. Thanks to the exclusive Tip Saver Technology, this sharpener prevents over-sharpening and extends the lifespan of your pencils. With three vibrant colors to choose from, Purple, Coral, or Blue, the Bostitch Twist-n-Sharp Pencil Sharpener combines functionality and style, making it the perfect addition to your art supplies.

What We Like
Sharpens without breaking lead
Dual point sharpness settings
Large shavings container
Works for colored pencils
Compact and portable design

X-ACTO Mighty Mite Electric Pencil Sharpener

19501X
Black
X-ACTO Mighty Mite Electric Pencil Sharpener Cover
X-ACTO Pencil Sharpener, Mighty Mite Electric Pencil Sharpener, With Pencil Saver®, SafeStart® Motor, Black, 1 Count - Home, Office, School, Teacher Supplies

The X-ACTO Mighty Mite Electric Pencil Sharpener with Pencil Saver, SafeStart Motor is a small and efficient pencil sharpener that is perfect for teachers and homeschool supplies. The sharpener is equipped with a Pencil Saver feature that prevents over-sharpening and extends the pencil life. The SafeStart Motor prevents operation when the shavings receptacle is removed, ensuring the safety of the user. The compact and lightweight design makes it easy to move around and fit in small spaces.

What We Like
Quick and even sharpening
Sharp, durable blade
Large shavings container
Works well on colored pencils
Consistent, sharp pencil points

Amazon Basics Portable Electric Pencil Sharpener

Amazon Basics
71202
Black
Amazon Basics Portable Electric Pencil Sharpener Cover
Amazon Basics Portable Electric Pencil Sharpener, Helical Blade, Auto Stop, Battery/USB Cord Operated, Black, 2.87 x 2.87 x 5.3 in

Amazon Basics Sharpener is an electric pencil sharpener suitable for work, school, or home use. It automatically sharpens 6-8mm diameter pencils when inserted, shutting off when done or the cover is opened. You can power it with 4 AA batteries or a USB cable, making it portable. The large shavings canister allows for extended use without frequent emptying.

What We Like
Automatic shutoff feature
Dual power options
Sharpens quickly and quietly
Easy to clean
Great value for price
#TOP 4

Staedtler Double Hole Pencil Sharpener

512 001 BK
Staedtler Double Hole Pencil Sharpener Cover
STAEDTLER Pencil Sharpener with 2 Holes - Dual Size Manual Sharpener for Standard, Colored & Makeup Pencils - Compact Design

The Staedtler Double Hole Pencil Sharpener is perfect for sharpening colored pencils, large pencils, and regular pencils. Its two holes accommodate a variety of sizes, making it an excellent makeup pencil sharpener that can keep your eyebrow pencil or lip liner in top shape. This compact, hand-held pencil sharpener can be easily carried in a pencil case, desk drawer, makeup bag, or kid's school backpack, and is versatile enough to use in the office, at school, or around the house.

What We Like
Sharp, long-lasting blades
Easy to empty shavings
Works with colored pencils
Sturdy, reliable design
Quick, smooth sharpening

Bostitch Personal Electric Pencil Sharpener

EPS4-BLUE
Blue
1 Count (Pack of 1)
Bostitch Personal Electric Pencil Sharpener Cover
Bostitch Office Electric Pencil Sharpener, Heavy Duty Powerful Stall-Free Motor, High Capacity Shavings Tray, for Office or Classroom, Blue

The Bostitch Personal Electric Pencil Sharpener is designed to provide you with a longer-lasting cutting performance through its HHC cutter technology. The powerful motor ensures that your sharpening experience is always smooth and stall-free. Additionally, it comes with a safety switch that prevents operation when the shavings tray is removed. The high capacity shavings tray is easy to clean, making maintenance a breeze. Its space-saving compact design allows for easy storage in small spaces.

What We Like
Fast sharpening speed
Durable for heavy use
Large shavings container
Even, accurate sharpening
Easy to clean
#TOP 6

JARLINK Electric Pencil Sharpener

43180-128965
Black
1-pack
JARLINK Electric Pencil Sharpener Cover
JARLINK Electric Pencil Sharpener, Heavy-Duty Helical Blade to Fast Sharpen, Auto Stop for No.2/Colored Pencils(6-8mm), AC Adapter/Battery Operated in School Classroom/Office/Home (Black)

The JARLINK Electric Pencil Sharpener is a powerful and versatile sharpener that can sharpen almost all 8mm pencils in just 5-10 seconds. It features an auto-stop function to prevent over-sharpening and save pencil lead, and a durable spiral blade that can sharpen pencils over 3000 times. The sharpener can be powered by 4 AA batteries or a USB cable, making it easy to use anywhere. The detachable blade and easy-to-clean reservoir make maintenance a breeze.

What We Like
Quick and efficient sharpening
Automatic stop feature
Works with batteries or cord
Sharpens cleanly, no pencil damage
Compact and lightweight design

X-ACTO SchoolPro Electric Pencil Sharpener

1670X
Black
X-ACTO SchoolPro Electric Pencil Sharpener Cover
X-ACTO Pencil Sharpener, School Pro Electric Pencil Sharpener, With Six Size Dial, XL Shavings Bin, Black, 1 Count - Heavy Duty, Teacher and School Supplies

The X-ACTO SchoolPro Electric Pencil Sharpener is a heavy-duty pencil sharpener suitable for schools, classrooms, and homeschooling. It features a break-resistant sharpener that creates precise tips to reduce lead breakage, a flyaway cutter that prevents oversharpening, and an easy-to-empty XL shaving bin that keeps the workspace tidy. The six-size dial fits nearly every pencil, including colored pencils.

What We Like
Quick and quiet sharpening
Consistent sharp pencil points
Handles heavy and frequent use
Works with various pencil types
Sturdy, reliable design

Sonuimy Pencil Sharpeners with Dual Holes

XBD-001
Covered
Sonuimy Pencil Sharpeners with Dual Holes Cover
Sonuimy Pencil Sharpeners, 4 Pcs Pencil Sharpeners Manual,Dual Holes Compact Colored Handheld Pencil Sharpener for Kids with Lid Adults Students School Class Home Office (Covered)

Sonuimy Pencil Sharpeners with Dual Holes are perfect for students, teachers, and professionals. The pencil sharpeners come with dual holes design, made of high-quality materials, easy to carry and clean, and available in four different colors. You can sharpen pencils of different thicknesses and reduce children's exposure to pencil dust, providing essential stationery supplies for all.

What We Like
Great value for money
Portable and small size
Effective and easy to use
Attractive colors
Includes cover for shavings
#TOP 9

AFMAT Heavy Duty Electric Pencil Sharpener

PS13
Black
AFMAT Heavy Duty Electric Pencil Sharpener Cover
AFMAT Electric Pencil Sharpener, Heavy Duty Pencil Sharpener for Classroom, 6.5-8mm No.2/Colored Pencils, UL Listed, 10,000+ Sharpenings, Electric Pencil Sharpeners for Home, Office, PS13

The AFMAT Heavy Duty Electric Pencil Sharpener is a UL listed pencil sharpener that can sharpen over 10,000 times in only 3-5 seconds due to its upgraded motor and stronger helical blade. It is suitable for 6.5-8mm No.2/Colored Pencils, including Prismacolor Premiers, Derwent, Verithins, Faber-castell, Koh-I-Noor Progresso. The sharpener has two safety features, is non-skid, and is suitable for heavy use making it ideal for teachers, students, engineers, artists, and commercial use.

What We Like
Sharpens over 10,000 times in only 3-5 seconds
UL Listed and suitable for heavy use
Two safety features
Suitable for 6.5-8mm No.2/Colored Pencils
#TOP 10

STAEDTLER Premium Quality Pencil Sharpener

STD51163
Multi-color
1 Pack
STAEDTLER Premium Quality Pencil Sharpener Cover
STAEDTLER Pencil Sharpener (1 Pack) with Screw Lid and Tub - No Spill Compact Design for Standard and Colored Pencils, Metal Blade, Assorted Colors

The STAEDTLER Premium Quality Pencil Sharpener is a must-have tool for those who value a sharp pencil. The metal sharpener comes with a secure screw-on lid that prevents accidental opening, making it safe to carry around. It is compact and portable, perfect for your pencil case and work-station. The sharpener is available in assorted colors, adding a fun surprise to every order.

What We Like
Durable metal construction
Sharpens pencils quickly
Produces fine sharp points
Easy to clean
Suitable for various pencil types
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are old pencil sharpeners worth anything?

Many of these tiny sharpeners sell online for between $5 and $25 apiece or even lower, although sometimes rare promotional pencil sharpeners can sell for more, like the Baker's chocolate sharpener below from the 1930s.

2. What is an old pencil sharpener called?

In 1833 in England, Cooper & Eckstein patented the so-called Styloxynon, a simple device consisting of two sharp files set together at right angle in a small block of rosewood. This is the oldest pencil sharpener that has surviving examples.

3. What is the most expensive pencil sharpener?

El Casco pencil sharpener: the most expensive sharpener in the world, includes a viewer to peer inside during use.

4. What was the first ever pencil sharpener?

In 1828, French mathematician Bernard Lassimonne patented the first pencil sharpener. This sharpener had small metal files set at 90 degrees in a block of wood and it grinded the edges of the pencil's tip. This method wasn't any faster or easier than sharpening with a knife, so it didn't become popular.

Editor's Notes

During our antique pencil sharpener research, we found 24 antique pencil sharpener products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 724,268 customer reviews through our big data system to write the antique pencil sharpeners list. We found that most customers choose antique pencil sharpeners with an average price of $11.61.

The antique pencil sharpeners are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of antique pencil sharpeners, including Bostitch, X-Acto, STAEDTLER, JARLINK, Sonuimy. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Rebecca Cantu Avatar

Rebecca Cantu grew up in a family-owned retail store for home and kitchen products. She worked online and gave assistance to people to buy ideal products for their sweet home after graduating from Northwestern University with a marketing degree. She has been writing content for online shopping guides since 2011 with her professional knowledge and natural sensitivity of appliances.