Pencil Things

RIP | Boston Manual Pencil Sharpeners

For over 50 years the best-selling manual desk/wall pencil sharpener has been the Boston KS. Hunt Manufacturing produced the Boston Ranger, Boston KS, Boston Self-Feeder #4, Boston L and some plastic-cased models. They were made in the USA, were durable and some were produced with vacuum mounts. So popular was the Boston KS model, that Hunt chose to gold plate an edition in 1999 to commemorate its 100th anniversary!

Things changed. X-Acto bought out Hunt's line of sharpeners. X-Acto continued manufacturing the critical parts to high standards and slightly changing the cosmetics to reflect its brand. Replacement cutters were always available -- and needed, particularly in high-use situations, such as offices, factories and schools. Elmer (the glue company) bought out X-Acto and, sad to report, discontinued making replacement cutters available.

The bottom line is this. If you need a manual pencil sharpener for home use, or light office use, you should still feel comfortable purchasing an unused old-stock manual Boston sharpener, or a new manual X-Acto (Boston) sharpener. They will outlast you! If you make heavier use of a manual sharpener, however, you'll need to replace the entire unit every few years.

One glimmer of brightness: PencilThings.com stocks and seeks to replenish a limited supply of new old-stock Boston sharpeners and replacement cutters.

12/22/07 UPDATE: PencilThings just acquired over 100 vintage new, unused old stock Boston KS and Boston L model pencil sharpeners in their original boxes. These were manufactured by Hunt in the USA. We will have them inspected, lubricated and ready for purchase in early January 2008.

Staedtler 2006 Year-end Discontinuation List (Selected)

The following is a selected list of products Staedtler has discontinued offering in the United States.

(1) Karat Watercolor Pencil. The sets of pencils in storage tins still will be available, in 12-color, 24-color, 36-color, 48-color and 60-color. Only black will be available in open stock -- none of the other 59 colors will be available in open stock beginning in 2007.

(2) Triplus Micro Automatic Pencil. Both the 0.5mm and 0.7mm pencils are discontinued.

(3) Ergosoft Noris Pencil.

(4) Eraser refills and ballpoint refills for most Staedtler pens and pencils are being discontinued! Why does any manufacturer produce a product, for which refills and replacement parts are necessary, and yet not supply those refills and replacement parts? The good news is, though, that Staedtler Customer Service is responsive. For example, while the company does not sell eraser refills for the popular Integrity pencil, Staedtler Customer Service sends Integrity erasers in bulk for us to package and offer.