Customer Reviews

X-Acto Electric Pencil Sharpener (1818)

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

Before purchasing the X-Acto Electric Pencil Sharpener, I paid half the price for an electric sharpener from Wal-Mart that lasted over five years. This product has lasted a mere five months. Rarely used, it often sticks, overheats after only a few uses, and then ceases to work at all.

I had hoped a sharpener of better quality would last longer, especially considering it isn't even used very often. It would seem I was mistaken.

This "sharpener" won't sharpen. When you try to use it, the pencil tip comes out slightly lopsided, with the lead covered with wood on one side all the way to the tip -- wood beyond the farthest reach of the lead. Result: the wood-tipped pencil won't write, won't even deposit a mark on the paper. And it isn't the pencil's fault. I tested three different lead pencils and four colored pencils. I even gave each pencil a second sharpening, a second chance. Same result each time: tip covered with wood.

The cause of the problem seems to be that this sharpener has only one roller-cutter. Manual sharpeners have two roller sharpeners and work perfectly (but have to be screwed in place -- no desktop use, block venetian blinds on window sills -- and can't be placed in certain locations where the hand crank becomes inaccessible). The X-Acto 1818, with its single cutter, doesn't seem to hold the pencil at the correct angle. The pencil isn't gripped between two cutters. That seems to account for the lopsided cutting.

I suspect that this model requires precision assembly, so that the cutter is installed at the perfect angle. Since other reviews suggest that this model sometimes works, my conclusion is that buying this model is a gamble. In my case it was a complete waste of money: the "sharpener" simply didn't work. So if you buy one, you are gambling. You may get a properly assembled one that works, and you may get one that doesn't.

Agree with the previous reviewer. Office Depot is currently selling the made-in-china X-acto brand sharpener. Bought one and returned it after three pencils. Didn't seem to have much power, stalled the motor on the first pencil. Created nice sharp points though, just not always centered on the pencil. I'm looking for another sharpener.

This sharpener gets the job done. It sharpens faster than any I have used before. It can be a tad loud, but because it is so fast you barely notice.

REVISED 1/2/2008: I ordered the Hunt Boston 1800 electric sharpener from Shoplet and received the X-Acto XLR Electric Pencil Sharpener. In talking with Shoplet's Customer Service department the Amazon link is attached to the X-Acto product in Shoplet's inventory. X-Acto, as well as Hunt & Boston, are now Elmer's Products, Inc. brands. I tried to research on the web whether the Hunt Boston 1800 is still made; it is unclear. This maybe the only model currently available.

Shoplet issued me a full refund of the product and let me keep it. We have are not heavy pencil users and have only sharpened 10+ pencils so far. But these are fine. The pencils have pin-sharp points. Occasionally with an unsharpened pencil the sharpener's "auto-shutoff" does not activate and I pull the pencil out to check if it is sharp; but other than that, the unit is working fine.

I have an old one of these from 1993. After all of these years, it still works perfectly. This sharpener has been through some heavy work (I used to sharpen pencils for my church) but always has managed to keep in top shape. I've bought these as gifts for people because it's always something you can use and is something that will last a good while. Noise-wise it's not too bad, maybe not something you'd want in your classroom during a test, but otherwise okay.

This pencil sharpener (Hunt(R) Boston(R) 1800 Series Electric Sharpener) is indeed a good deal. I read about some negative feedbacks online saying that it is not powerful enough, so I hesitated a little bit before I bought it. However, it turned out that this pencil sharpener is really powerful, and sharps my pencil really well. It is even more powerful than my suitemate's pencil sharpener bought from Staples with a higher price.
I don't know what can be a better pro for a pencil sharpener than its being powerful-- this is a great price, and great product.

I ordered the Hunt(R) Boston(R) 1800 Series Electric Pencil Sharpener, from Amazon.com and they in turn sent the order to Office Depot which sells those X-Acto® By Boston® 1800 Series Electric Sharpener, Black Sharpeners made in China that will not sharpen a pencil to save your life, the same ones they sell at Staples, which is why I tried to buy the Hunt(R) Boston(R) 1800 Series Electric Sharpener online. Now I have to send it back and try to get the good Boston pencil sharpener with the strong electric motor in it that will sharpen a pencil, stuff made in china is crap, boycott all products made in china.

This product is quite durable. I was surprised at how heavy it actually was. We've had cheaper ones before and they don't last; the motor slows the further the pencil goes in. Not the case with this little workhourse.

I ordered the Boston pencil sharpener and was sent the x-acto sharpener. I do not like it. My round pencils get stuck. The opening is not quite big enough. It is very noisy and it does not sharpen evenly. I sharpened three pencils and will return it. Very disapointing to get a different product than ordered.