Bostitch Electric Pencil Sharpener, 6-Size Selector

Six sharpening-size settings make the Bostitch QuietSharp 6 more adaptable than a basic sharpener built for one pencil size. It is designed for classrooms and other places where pencils need frequent sharpening, with a quiet mechanism, a heavy-duty motor, and support for both colored and graphite pencils. The maker says it can sharpen a new pencil in under four seconds, though that figure is a stated performance claim rather than a guarantee for every pencil or situation. Its classroom-focused safety switch also shuts off the motor when the shavings bin is removed.

Key points

The size selector is the feature that gives this sharpener its practical edge: it offers six different sizes, so users can choose a setting for the pencil they are sharpening rather than relying on a single opening. That matters in a classroom with a mix of standard graphite and colored pencils. The description does not specify which exact pencil diameters match each setting, so the six options are useful flexibility, not a promise of universal fit.

Bostitch also highlights a hardened helical cutter and says it is designed for longer cutter life. A super-duty motor with thermal overload protection is intended for sharpening pencils back-to-back, while the quiet mechanism is aimed at reducing disruption when several people are waiting. It is still an electric sharpener, not a silent one, for a shared work area, the quieter design may help, but some operating sound should be expected.

How to use it

Choose the setting that suits the pencil, then sharpen as needed. The sharpener is described for colored and graphite pencils, making it suitable for a classroom station where students move between writing and coloring. For example, during a lesson, a student can bring a blunt colored pencil to the station, select the appropriate size, and return to the activity without relying on a manual sharpener.

The removable shavings bin is part of the safety design: taking it out shuts down the motor. That is a useful detail in a busy room, where the bin may need attention between groups. The product description does not give cleaning instructions, so avoid assuming a particular maintenance routine beyond handling the bin as intended.

Practical tips

A large shavings bin and a motor designed for repeated use suit a high-traffic pencil station better than a small manual sharpener that needs frequent attention. Keep in mind that this is a plug-in sharpener, so where you place it depends on access to an outlet. In a classroom, setting it on a stable, convenient surface can also help keep the sharpening line away from desks where students are working.

The under-four-second claim is according to the maker, and actual sharpening time may vary with the pencil and how much sharpening it needs. The description gives no noise measurement or details on the exact sizes supported, so those are worth considering if your room has strict noise needs or uses unusual pencil formats.

Before you decide

Does it sharpen colored pencils? Yes. The product is described for both colored and graphite pencils, which makes it a flexible option for mixed classroom use.

Is it designed for frequent use? Its heavy-duty motor is intended for sharpening pencils back-to-back, and thermal overload protection is included. That makes frequent use part of its stated purpose, though it does not establish a precise daily workload.

Is the sharpener silent? No such claim is made. It has a quiet mechanism designed to reduce disruption, but buyers looking for silent operation should account for that distinction.

When it makes sense

A solid pick if you need a shared, plug-in sharpener for a steady flow of graphite and colored pencils and value multiple size settings plus a safety switch. You may want to skip it if you need a portable manual sharpener, cannot place an appliance near an outlet, or require confirmed compatibility with a specific pencil size not identified in the product details. The QuietSharp 6 is aimed at keeping a classroom sharpening station moving, a simpler manual model makes more sense when occasional, individual use matters more than speed and repeated operation.