The art of sharpening pencils (2007)

see also http://www.artisanalpencilsharpening.com/

This video shows the technique that's closest to how I was taught to sharpen pencils for drawing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz9x49vG9Rk

It's important to note that the goal is to set it up for drawing with the side of the lead, not the point. (he demonstrates the grip and drawing technique it's designed for toward the end).

I mostly prefer 2mm lead holders though because I'm too lazy to spend time sharpening and figuring out what to do with the shavings.

>Most people throw away their pencils when they get too short but I actually find them easier to use.

You can also use a pencil holder or lengthener.

Back when I was in middle school, the usual way of sharpening a pencil would be with a razor blade. Kind of dangerous now that I think about.

I have a nice sharpener that either sharpens just the wood (leaving the graphite) or sharpens both. It's nice to have some options.

in some drafting, you can buy mechanical pencils which are basically graphite holders. They will hold a nice thick chunk of material. we used a small pallet of sandpaper to keep the tip sharp and learned to rotate the pencil while writing.