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.

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 knife.
Due to the curved blade, the knife 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 Sharpener Knife

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

Our knives are manufactured with a measuring tolerance of 5/100 mm.
Equally important is the hardening of these knives.
We harden the steel with 64 HRC.
For comparison and understanding: Top knives 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 knife is protected by three careful operations:

  • Polish
  • Ultrasonic cleaning
  • Coating with oil

Sharpener with Click-Snap® System

Cleanliness

Nobody wants to have pointed waste in their school bag or pencil case.

We use perfectly closing lids for our school sharpeners, such as the KUM Click Snap® or the KUM Dust Stop System®.

Sharpener with container for school and kindergarten

What is important in a sharpener for school?

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 colours.

Sharpener without container and replacement item

Our classics

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