How to Make a Pencil Sharpener

How to Make a Pencil Sharpener
Written By
Athena Hessong
Athena Hessong
Published: May 8, 2009
Updated: Jan 10, 2019
1 minute read

If you don't have a pencil sharpener, you can make one. There are two ways to do it, but keep in mind that most hand-held pencil sharpeners cost less than a dollar. These alternatives will work in a pinch.

Use a knife or utility blade to shave off the edges of the pencil tip to make it sharper. You also can use this method to sharpen pencils that are too large to fit into regular pencil sharpeners.

Place the razor blade on one of the edges of a wooden block. The blade should be out over the edge and the hole in the blade should be over wood.

Put a nail through the hole in the razor.

Nail the razor to the wood block with a hammer.

Scrape the edge of the pencil along the razor blade to achieve a point.

Things You'll Need:

Things You Will Need

  • Sharp non-serrated knife or utility blade
  • Pencil
  • Razor blade
  • Wooden block (any size)
  • Hammer and nail
  • Athena Hessong

    Athena Hessong began her freelance writing career in 2004. She draws upon experiences and knowledge gained from teaching all high-school subjects for seven years. Hessong earned a Bachelor in Arts in history from the University of Houston.

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