X-Acto1001 Ranger 55 Classroom Manual Pencil Sharpener Black

If you're in need of a sturdy pencil sharpener with a vintage look then this one might be just what you're looking for. For me, the X-ACTO Ranger 55 Manual Pencil Sharpener was exactly that.X-acto manufactures these units based upon the old original designs so they end up being very close to the school pencil sharpeners some of us remember from the '60s and '70s. As you might expect, the modern version is made overseas out of somewhat cheaper materials than the "built like a tank" units of old, but not to such an extent as to "cheapen" the look or feel of the unit.The internals seem to have retained the heavy duty build of the past, including the twin helical cutter blades. The unit works great. It quickly and smoothly sharpens eight different sizes of pencils.The gloss black finish was a perfect fit in my vintage themed office. The top of the shavings container is embossed with a nice script Ranger 55 logo that completes the vintage look. I am very happy with this purchase and I highly recommend the X-ACTO Ranger 55 to anyone who is looking for a sturdy and great looking tool for their office.

This pencil sharpener is the one I have been wanting for years. I have used many over the years, but this one quickly sharpens to a long, centered point - without eating up the pencil. When it stops making a grinding noise, your pencil is ready. I am so, so happy to have a fine pencil sharpener that is heavy duty and works perfectly. I use #2 pencils often and other pencils for drawing.I will not use this on colored pencils. I prefer to carefully sharpen expensive colored pencils by hand with the STAEDTLER, INC. Handheld Manual Double-Hole Cylinder Pencil Sharpener. It has two lengths to choose from for the lead. The one I own is all metal on the inside, which I find better for sharpening pencils correctly. I look in the architect areas of the office supply stores for better items such as hand-held pencil sharpeners. Although now-days they have started to place the cheaper ones there also. Don't buy ones that look like plastic, they will not last; the plastic will crack soon.Oh, and it is easy to dispose of the shavings also. Just rotate the center section, squeeze, and it comes loose. It reminds me of that lovely pencil sharpener we used in the 5th grade math class. Except this one is new and shiny.Nancy

Looks great on my radial arm saw but only after I fixed it. The locking tab for the pencil size was bent to the point that it was useless. Drilled out the rivet, fixed the tab and used a screw and nut instead of a rivet. Does a nice job now.

Looks handsome, works like a champ with twin blades, adjustable for all pencil sizes, easy to empty shavings, will probably last forever. I just bought another one to give as a gift!

Installation is very easy, simply Drill your top screw, level and lock it down with the bottom screw.There is a give and take in the manufacturing of this 2019 unit as compared to my 1970s pencil sharpener. My 1970s pencil sharpener is a heavy stamping with a Nylon catch and size selector. The Ranger 55 body is a light die casting and the collector and size selector are thin gauge stampings. However one huge improvement is that the handle is quality die casting as opposed to a stamping.Overall it feels good, looks good and sharpens colored lead pencils. Since there is no one here to abuse it, I believe the unit is going to give me decades of sharp pencils.

I bought this for my son when his little plastic portable pencil sharpener broke on him for the last time.After looking at other reviews on other similar pencil sharpeners I decided to give this one a try.The whole unit is very well made... the grind box has a nice detent that provides a positive notch when slid into its proper position. Once my son got the hang of rotating the sharpener arm, he can go to town on all of his pencils! After the 10th pencil that he sharpened, he would have to have a little rest for his sore arm. Get that work out in, boy!The one drawback that I've noticed is that the tips of his color pencils would break off while he sharpens them. It may be because the "graphite" on the color pencil may be too brittle for the robust sharpener.Ultimately I had to try another sharpener for his color pencils.But, for the price and sturdiness of this pencil sharpener, I would highly recommend it for all your normal pencil sharpening needs! It will probably outlast the owner!UPDATE: 4/20/20: My son cranked on it a little too fervently and the handle snapped off where others were complaining about. It was good while it lasted.

My husband and I wanted our son to experience this sharpener. We added it to our homeschool classroom and we love it. Super easy to use. It is pretty bulky and does eat your pencil super fast but we're ok with that. It sharpens really well and no jagged edges poking out your pencil. It's black. I would have liked if they offered other colors but it's ok. I haven't tried to clean it or empty it , but I'm sure it will be easy to clean.