Why This Pencil Sharpener Earned a Permanent Spot on My Art Desk

I need to start with a confession.

I kind of blew it.

A while back, a company reached out and asked if I’d try their pencil sharpener. I said yes, they sent it over… and then life happened. I procrastinated. The holidays came and went. And I realized later they were probably hoping to promote this before Christmas.

So instead of rushing out a quick review, I did what I usually do with art tools — I just used it.

Every day.
For over a month.

And honestly? I’m glad I waited.

First Impressions: Simple, Solid, No Gimmicks

The sharpener is the AFMAT PSX8 Fully Automatic Pencil Sharpener. Nothing flashy. Clean design. Sits nicely on my desk without getting in the way.

What caught my attention right away was how simple it is:

You just place the pencil in the top…
And it sharpens it automatically.

No buttons.
No guessing.
No wobbling.

It just does the job.

The Big Problem It Solved (That I Didn’t Realize Was a Problem)

If you’ve drawn for any amount of time, you’ve probably dealt with this:

You sharpen your pencil by hand…
And the tip comes out crooked.

Not obviously broken — just slightly off.
Enough to mess with your line quality.
Enough to make shading feel inconsistent.

I didn’t realize how much this affected my drawing until I started using the AFMAT consistently.

This sharpener produces a perfectly even point — all the way around.

The first time I pulled a pencil out, I actually stopped and stared at it.

Perfect.
Centered.
Clean.

And once you feel that difference on paper, it’s hard to go back.

How I Use It While Drawing

This is where it really won me over.

I’ll be sketching — landscapes, studies, daily drawings — and as soon as my pencil tip starts to dull, I don’t stop my flow.

I just:

• Grab the pencil
• Drop it into the sharpener
• Let go

That’s it.

It sharpens quickly, stops automatically, and I’m right back to drawing with a clean, even tip.

There’s something really satisfying about not breaking your rhythm.

As artists, that matters more than we think.

Rechargeable = Desk-Friendly (and Video-Friendly)

One thing I didn’t expect to appreciate as much as I do:

It’s rechargeable.

No constant plugging and unplugging.
No stealing outlets from lights, cameras, or tablets.

If you’re working at a desk, in a studio, or filming content like I am, this is a small thing that makes a big difference.

Why It Earned a Permanent Spot on My Desk

I don’t keep tools around just because they look nice or were sent to me.

This one stayed because:

• It sharpens evenly every time
• It’s fast and simple to use
• It doesn’t interrupt my drawing flow
• It removes a tiny frustration I didn’t realize I was fighting

That’s the best kind of tool.

The kind that gets out of the way and lets you focus on drawing.

Where to Find It

I’ve added a link below where you can check out the AFMAT PSX8 Pencil Sharpener for yourself:

👉 Click here to see the AFMAT PSX8 on Amazon

If you use my link, I do earn a small commission — and I truly appreciate the support. It helps me keep making free drawing content and sharing tools I actually use and believe in.

If not, you can also search for AFMAT pencil sharpeners on Amazon directly.

Either way, if you’ve ever been frustrated by crooked pencil tips… this is worth a look.

Final Thoughts

I didn’t plan on loving a pencil sharpener.

But here we are.

Sometimes the smallest tools make the biggest difference — not because they’re fancy, but because they quietly make things easier.

And when drawing feels easier…
We draw more.

That’s always a win.