Novelties

Click-snap® Sharpener

Sharpener with container

Sustainable sharpeners

Softie® Sharpener

Sharpener | no container

Special ⌀ Sharpener

4-in-1

CUB3 | 3-in-1

Pod

KUM Spitzblick

New

KUM 4-in-1

Popular

Classics

Sustainable rulers

Flexible Rulers

Rulers with Grips

2-in-1 | Circlet

Softie Flex Extreme

Essentials

Stop&Go

KUM Style

New

KUM Softie Flex Extreme

Popular

School Painting Brushes

Watercolor Box

School & Art

Brush sets

KUM School & Art Brush Sets

New

KUM Watercolor Box

Popular

Novelties

Decor Series | Design Sets

KUM X Juro

KUM X Frau Hölle

KUM The Unbreakable

New

KUM Mellow Correc Tri

Popular

Lefty® Sharpener

Lefty® Rulers

Desk pad

Softie® Lefty® sharpener

Rulers Softie® FLEX Lefty®

Writing Aid Sattler Grip

KUM Groove Lefty

New

KUM Desk-Pad Lefty

Popular

Sattler Grips

Video | Good ergonomic pen holding

Video | Writing Aids

KUM Sattler Grips

Popular

Erasers

Eraser + Sharpener | 2-in-1

Craft Eraser

Correc Tri

KUM Calypso

New

KUM Satellite

Popular

Sharpener + rulers

Backpacks

Craft Eraser

Correc Tri

KUM New York

New

KUM Skulls

Popular

KUM Sharpener

More than 100 years of innovation and precision

Leader in sharpener manufacturing since 1919

Welcome to KUM, your expert in high-quality sharpeners for over a century. Since our founding in 1919, we have been committed to designing and manufacturing sharpeners, establishing ourselves as a leading innovator in the industry.

Tradition meets innovation

Our history is characterized by a large number of innovative and patented inventions, all of which originate from our headquarters in Erlangen. We are proud to have been producing at this traditional location for more than 100 years and to continuously set new standards in sharpener technology.

Quality that is recognized worldwide

At KUM, quality comes first. Our commitment to the highest quality standards and the resulting precision in manufacturing ensure that our sharpeners have been successfully distributed in over 100 countries for decades. Our products are the result of meticulous craftsmanship and modern manufacturing techniques that ensure that each sharpener meets the high demands of our customers.

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide the market with the best tools for the perfect lace. Whether for the professional artist, the student or office use – KUM sharpeners stand for reliability and durability. Discover our wide range and experience the combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern innovation.

Which sharpener for which pencil?

Sharpener for kindergarten and school

Perfectly adapted for the daily use of children’s hands

  • Standard cone for everyday use
  • Container prevents dirt and integrated dust seal keeps chips safely inside
  • Shatterproof sharpening thanks to ergonomically easy-to-grip container, especially for children’s hands

Diameter: 8 + 11 mm (standard) / also with 7 + 10 mm

Sharpener for pastel pencils

Specially designed to meet the requirements of sensitive, highly porous pastel leads

  • Adapted diameter of 9 mm reliably sharpens both 8 mm and 9 mm pins
  • For a clean cut and prevents breakage of the lead

Diameter: 9 mm

Sharpener for artist pencils with long cone

The favourite of artists, designers and architects

  • Unique design of the blades creates an exceptionally sharp angle when sharpening the pen, resulting in an extremely long, fine tip
  • Allows you to draw tiny details and intricate lines, making it the ideal tool for art, sketching, and technical drawing

Diameter: 8 mm

Sharpener for Artist Pens with Short Cone

For soft, highly porous and powdery leads

  • Controlled, even sharpening without breakage

  • Must-have for high-quality wooden and artist pencils

Diameter: 8 mm

Pencil sharpener

Designed for sensitive leads of a wide variety of cosmetic pencils

  • Double Blade System: allows both round and pointed tip shapes

Diameter: 8 – 16 mm

Sharpener for drop pencils

Designed for maximum precision on sensitive mines

  • Precise, gentle sharpening of the leads
  • For clean tips without breakage and fraying

Diameter: 2 mm + 3.15 mm leads

Sharpener with Click-Snap® System
Sharpeners and replacement items
Sharpener with container for school and kindergarten
Sustainable sharpeners
Softie® Sharpener
Sharpener with special diameter

Sharpener with Click-Snap® System

Cleanliness

We use perfectly closing lids for our school sharpeners, such as the KUM Click Snap® or the KUM Dust Stop System®. Because no one wants to have pointed waste in their school bag or pencil case.

Sustainable sharpeners

From old to future

At KUM, we believe that sustainability and the highest quality can go hand in hand. That is why we rely on alternative materials for various product lines. Our product lines show that environmental awareness does not have to mean compromising on performance.

Sharpener with container for school and kindergarten

Versatility

The sharpener should support different pen diameters. As students often use different types of pencils, including pencils, colored pencils, and in the first grades, thicker wax crayons as well as colored pencils.

Reliability

The reliability of a sharpener is a crucial factor, especially if it is used frequently and intensively. A reliable sharpener ensures that pencils are always optimally sharpened, which significantly improves the quality of writing and drawing for students.

Durability and robustness

School sharpeners must be sturdy and durable to withstand daily use.

We use high-quality materials that are shatterproof for many models to ensure a long service life.

Softie® Sharpener

Soft sharpening

Experience the KUM Softie®! The unbreakable container with enormous capacity makes it the ideal companion for school and kindergarten. An outstanding container sharpener that has long since achieved cult status!

The Softie is available in different shapes, sizes and colors.

Sharpener without container and replacement item

Our classics

and our perfection. They form our basic range and are absolute classics for offices and schools.

Sharpener with special diameter

Specialists

We offer the perfect solution for pens outside the standard size.

Sharpener Made in Germany

KUM stands for Made in Germany. At our location in Erlangen, we have our own production, a development department and a department for tool and mechanical engineering. Everything from a single source!

Investment in the future

Through our production in Germany, we secure jobs and promote regional value creation. We invest in training young professionals to pass on knowledge and skills.

These investments in training and the continuous development of our employees help us to grow and innovate as a company.

“Made in Germany” not only means excellent sharpeners, but also stands for economic stability and social responsibility.

KUM Dynamic Torison Action

We are the only manufacturer in the world to equip our sharpeners with a curved blade. Due to the curved blade, the edges are under constant tension and are not lifted by the pressure when sharpened. Therefore, “rebounding” or “tearing” of the pen tip can be ruled out. Furthermore, the pressure against the screw prevents it from loosening or loosening.

KUM Blades

Probably the most important component is the blade. If a b does not work cleanly and reliably, i.e. sharpens the pencil with high precision, then the entire sharpener is worthless.

Our blades are manufactured with a measuring tolerance of 5/100 mm. Equally important is the hardening of these blades. We harden the steel with 64 HRC. For comparison and understanding: Top blades for use in the kitchen have a maximum of 53 HRC. These sub-processes are the most complicated in the production of the product. This hardness is necessary because pencil leads contain clay, which is a type of rock. Usually, metal is sanded down with stone, but the sharpener does it the other way around!

Carbon steel rusts relatively easily, so each KUM blade is protected by three careful operations:

  • Polish
  • Ultrasonic cleaning
  • Coating with oil

FAQ

What types of sharpeners are there?

Hand sharpeners with and without containers, long-cone sharpeners for particularly long pen tips, special sharpeners for thick pencils, pencils with soft porous leads such as pastel pencils or cosmetic pencils. For mechanical pencil leads, lead sharpeners are used.

Why do mines break when sharpened?

The causes are usually a loose or blunt knife, too much pressure when sharpening, previous damage to the pencil lead or using the wrong diameter. Sharpen slowly and sensitively, check/replace the knife and choose a hole that matches the pin diameter.

How do you clean a sharpener properly?

Empty the container, remove any shavings residue on the knife with something soft, such as a cotton swab or a special cleaning stick. Avoid using sharp objects, which will scratch and damage the knife.

How do I get the pencil residue out of the sharpener?

Separate the sharpener from the container and carefully loosen the broken pen tip with a cotton swab or toothpick. Then blow out any residue or remove it with a brush and put the sharpener back together. Avoid using sharp objects, such as paper clips, so as not to damage the knife.

Can sharpeners be sharpened?

No, because the risk of the wrong angle is too high. Replace the knife with replacement blades yourself in just a few simple steps, you can find replacement knives for this here.

How often should you change the knife?

As soon as the wood frays on the pen, more force is needed when sharpening or the tip “tears”. High-quality, interchangeable quality knives last much longer. The knife can be replaced in just a few simple steps, you can find replacement knives for this here.

Can you sharpen cosmetic pencils with a normal sharpener?

Theoretically, yes, if the diameter and lead fit, but the risk of the mines breaking is high. It is recommended to use a sharpener tailored to the requirements of the special refills of the cosmetic pencils, as the refills of cosmetic pencils are very sensitive.

What to do if the sharpener no longer cuts properly?

Tighten or replace the blade, clean, choose the right diameter and apply less pressure when sharpening. For very soft leads (pastel/cosmetics), use the right sharpener.

Which sharpener makes the longest tip?

Sharpeners that sharpen the pen tip at a particularly small angle. These special long-cone sharpeners sharpen in two phases (remove wood, then form a lead) and thus produce the longest, finest tips – mostly used by artists and for technical drawing.

Why are good sharpeners more expensive?

High-quality knives (e.g. hardened steel), tight manufacturing tolerances and precise guidance are important for clean cuts, less breakage of the pin leads. If a knife does not work cleanly and reliably, i.e. sharpens the pencil with high precision, then the entire sharpener is worthless.