Pencils, erasers and sharpeners

[NotAnotherChinHair]

Hi there everyone. I realise this is not a big problem, more of a pet hate, but I thought some of you might have some brands you swear by and wouldn't mind sharing. I have a silly issue with most of the pencils, erasers and pencil sharpeners I buy for my DC. No matter how much or how little money I spend on them, the pencils always seem to break when sharpened (are they already broken inside??), the sharpeners become blunt pretty much after the first use, and the erasers don't erase cleanly but leave a dark smudge on the paper, making my DS's homework very untidy. I know my ds would love a battery operated pencil sharpener but would like to have a brand recommended before I part with my money as I seem to have a rather large collection of useless sharpeners around. Same with pencils and erasers, could anybody recommend a tried and tested brand/make? Cheers all.

It's a balance between cost and functionality, speaking as a pencil specialist (don't ask) -
having taught kids to write and draw for years, I can agree with most of above ie stick to Staedtler tradition, Ergosoft, Faber Castell colour grip (which also act as watercolour paints) are all great for writing with. Triangular pencils, ideally with nubs on, like F/C grip range, are especially good for encouraging tripod grip.
Maped softy eraser, also Staedtler plastic eraser (white wrapped in blue) and Faber Castell green brick eraser are all excellent.
For sharpeners, Jakar or Staedtler small metal ones are excellent, and some art shops will actually sell you replacement blades (but don't bother asking at WHS, Tesco etc...)
Wind up sharpeners - great for adults, but most children over sharpen - the main thing is to choose bonded leads pencils as thick as possible, to minimise breakages on dropping - this means relatively expensive....
Hope this helps!

It does! Thanks safrone

Oh yes another vote for the stadtler Ergosofts in the stand up box. Bought these for DS starting secondary and actually got 'those are the best thing you've ever bought for me mum!' ahhhhh

We have the Stabilo EasyErgo pencils at home (one LH, one RH) which have a chubby propelling lead. They come with their own diddy sharpener.

Alternatively a 0.9mm propelling pencil is quite robust eg Bicmatic ones.

Agree Staedtler are the best erasers but fortunately I've worked in a drawing office all my life so never run out of them .