charcoal pencils breaking

[Jim Craig]

Okay, this might be very dumb, but I'm gonna ask anyway.

I seem to have trouble with charcoal pencils always breaking when I sharpen them. I can't get them to a decent point. Am I expecting too much? I've used a small hand sharpener, a large electric pencil sharpener. I haven't tried my pocketknife or getting it close then using sandpaper. Is that what I need to do? I'm trying to avoid making a heck of a mess in our tiny little apartment. I'm married to a real saint, but even she has limits.

Thanks folks,


Jim

[Cassiepeia]

Yes use the knife and the sandpaper. To my knowledge, you can't use a normal sharpener for charcoal pencils...I know I can't anyway, they're far to soft.

Cass.

[BruceF]

I generally use a boxcutter or razorblade to sharpen my pencils. I prefer the boxcutter as it is easier to hold and control. Just be sure to cut at a shallow angle so you don't take off too much of the wood at one time as that seems to weaken the pencil.

[Shadoglare]

For charcoal pencils I have to use an "art pencil" sharpener, which is wider than a normal pencil sharpener (looks a lot like an eyeliner sharpener). The wider tip helps keep the charcoal tip from breaking so much.