Palomino Blackwing Desktop Sharpener

The Blackwing Crank Sharpener Desktop Sharpener is a desk-mounted sharpening machine made from matte black metal and polymer, featuring a spiral blade. The adjustment wheel on the crank allows you to vary the point shape across five settings – from long and elegant to short and blunt. The housing sits heavy and steady on the desk; the surface is matte and cool, with no shine whatsoever.

Features

• Spiral blade with five adjustment settings: The adjustment wheel on the crank controls how much wood and graphite are removed. Setting 1 produces a long, elegant point ideal for soft graphite cores and expressive strokes; higher settings deliver a short, robust point – perfect for harder leads and precise line work.
• Automatic pencil retraction: The sharpening system automatically retracts the pencil after sharpening, without scratching the finish or wood. Particularly relevant for lacquered and limited edition pencils, whose surfaces need to remain intact.
• Automatic oversharpening brake: A built-in brake mechanism stops the sharpening process before the pencil is worn down too far. This protects the material and prevents graphite breakage immediately after sharpening.
• Metal shaving drawer: The metal drawer clicks securely into place and neatly collects the shavings. Can be removed and emptied without tools.
• Housing made from metal and polymer: The combination of matte black metal and polymer gives the sharpener a stable weight and prevents it from slipping when you turn the crank. The matte surface shows no fingerprints.

Use & Tips

• Long, elegant point for sketching and writing: The lowest adjustment setting produces the long, elegant point type preferred for drawing, shading and handwriting – the graphite core lasts longer before needing sharpening again.
• Short point for robust everyday use: If you write or sketch a lot at your desk and sharpen frequently, choose a medium to short setting. The point is less likely to break off if the sharpener is put down and picked up often.
• Protecting sensitive pencil surfaces: The automatic retraction mechanism is especially helpful when sharpening pencils with printed or lacquered shafts – the insertion end remains undamaged.
• Cleaning: Simply pull out the metal drawer, empty it and let it click back in. No disassembly required.
• Placement: Thanks to the heavy, stable housing, you can operate the crank with one hand without needing to hold the sharpener with the other.

For Pencil Enthusiasts

The spiral blade (helix blade) works differently from a straight blade: it removes wood and graphite in a continuous screw motion, resulting in more even removal and a rounder point cross-section. The result is a point that is less likely to break to the side – particularly relevant for softer graphite cores. The adjustable stop via the adjustment wheel is not just a convenience feature: it influences the ratio of exposed graphite to wood cone and thus the tactile feedback when writing. A long point has a slight spring when you set it down – an effect many artists deliberately choose.

Technical Specifications