Have you ever broken a pencil and taken it to the pencil sharpener only to find it won’t work? This is something I hate. I have found that each pencil sharpener works differently. For example, a handheld sharpener works very differently than an electric one. These are the pencil sharpeners you may find in a classroom: cranking ones, electric ones, and handheld ones. Though the first two may be easier to use, the handheld ones often give the best results. Anyway, here are the ways I get the most out of all these sharpeners. The electric ones are simple. Just turn your pencil the way it is not trying to turn it. The cranking ones are more difficult. There is not one safe way to do it, because it depends on the sharpener. You will have to figure that out yourself. The handheld ones are easy. Just turn it. I hope this helps you be more effective when sharpening pencils.