Caran d'Ache Pencil Peeler : Pencil Sharpener
Caran d'Ache Pencil Peeler : Pencil Sharpener
I seen this product quite a while ago when browsing through Amazon and eBay and of course on the occasion when I would stalk the Caran d’Ache website and just sit dreaming about owning all that Caran d’Ache colored pencil awesomeness.
I have to admit that the price always put me off and whilst I have purchased many Caran d’Ache products over the years that would be considered expensive, but always turned out to be excellent value for money, something just didn’t sit right with me for this particular product, the Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler. Not that long ago I reviewed the very expensive Caran d’Ache Hand crank pencil sharpener, that too was an item I really wasn’t sure warranted the price, however during and after my review I was completely on the fence.
Never the less, the more and more I seen the item, the more and more I wanted to get hold of it and review it for myself and for you guys. I had a few question of my own that I wanted answering about the Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler and I had a fair idea that at least a few of you guys would be in the same boat. So let’s take a look at the Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler and try to help answer all the questions you might have about the product.
Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler Characteristics
The Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler comes in two styles, the first, which is the one I have, is a stainless steel device and the other is also stainless steel but painted red. If I am honest I would much rather have purchased the red one as I personally just think it looks nicer and mentally it just represents Caran d’Ache, when you see a red product of any kind I automatically think “Caran d’Ache”
To hold in the hand, the Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler is incredibly light however there is clearly a strength and robustness to the sharpener, this is not a product that is going to get damaged easily. Initially, going back to the reasons I shied away from the Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler in the past was because I simply seen the device as a razor blade with a handle, in fact the product is very reminiscent of a potato peeler, which I guess is the reason it is called the “Pencil Peeler”; but it is absolutely much more than just a razor blade.
Along one side of the Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler is the “Caran d’Ache” Logo, under which is printed Genève. On the opposite side of the Peeler is stamped “Swiss Made”
Essentially the Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler is a horse shoe shaped, stainless steel product. The stainless steal part of the device is the handle and the means of actually holding the razor blade in place, thus allowing the artists to safely use it on any pencil like product.
The razor blade is of course interchangeable and in the pack that the Pencil Peeler comes in, you get three spare blades. However, one thing that I have found frustrating about the Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler is that whilst you get three spare blades when you buy a Pencil Peeler, I have not been able to find individual replacements. When the three replacement blades become blunt, I have found it incredibly difficult to purchase new blades on their own or in sets, but separate from the actual product because you definitely don’t want to purchase a pencil peeler every time your blades need renewing.
Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler Performance
so how much can be said for the performance of a Pencil Peeler or sharpener for want of a better word? well I will do my best but there is actually more than you would expect.
The first thing I would like to say is that young children should not use this or be left alone with it, as with a craft knife, the Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler has a very dangerous blade exposed and in the hands of little ones, a lot of serious damage could be accomplished.
While we are on the topic of craft knives, I am sure some of you are thinking why purchase a Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler when a craft knife will do the same job and most probably quite a bit cheaper. Well this was one of the questions I wanted answered and one of the many reasons I purchased the product for.
There is a significant difference between a craft knife and Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler. I would like to say that the Pencil Peeler is best suited to using on pastel pencils, however it can absolutely be used on graphite pencils, watercolour pencils and colored pencils etc. I have actually demonstrated this on my YouTube video review of the Pencil Peeler which you can watch me use it on all of the mentioned mediums.
I would also like to say that for those of you who might have arthritis or some other issue with their hands or wrists, the Pencil Peeler would be perfect. Because of the Pencil Peeler shape, it allows artists with problems gripping small items, something to comfortably grip on to. Also artists both left or right handed will be able to use this, I know this sounds silly but it is worth a brief mention.
Replacing the blades can be a bit tricky, I actually demonstrate this on my YouTube video review of the Pencil Peeler, however, you pull apart the two ends of the Pencil Peeler, this can be hard and in particular anyone with arthritis etc in the hands or wrist might struggle of need a little bit of help. The blade actually fits into two slits on either side of the steel frame, the blade is housed into both slits and the stainless steel frame of the peeler closing keeps the blade firmly in place.
The blades you get with the Pencil Peeler are incredibly sharp and so they cut through the wood barrels like butter. As I mentioned, in the video review of this product I actually test the Peeler on a few different pencils with excellent results, however by far I found the peeler made light work of the Caran d’Ache Pastel Pencils, you can see the excellent point I get. The over all design of the Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler gives you excellent control, which in turn allows you to comfortably create the perfect point on your pencil.
Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler Price
As I mentioned, when I first seen the Pencil Peeler on Amazon and eBay, I was really intrigued by whether or not the Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler would in fact be better than a craft knife, but the price was the stumbling block for me. I was both put off by the price as i thought it too high, but then it was that high price that really pushed me to get it as I knew if I had questions about the product, you guys would also have some questions.
Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler UK Price
If you were to purchase the Pencil Peeler on the Caran d’Ache website, it would cost you approximately £21.99, but to purchase either the Silver or Red Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler here in the UK, you can expect to pay : For the red Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler you can expect to pay £15 and this link will take you exactly to the red peeler. the Silver Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler will also cost you £15
Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler US
Unfortunately I couldn’t find this product anywhere on Amazon US, Jerrys or Dick Blicks. I have to say I am not sure whether or not here in the UK we are not given full access to the US based Amazon, so still look on Amazon and I will also continue looking. As and when I find the product in the US I will update this post.
Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler EU
In Europe if you are looking for the red Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler you can expect to pay €22 and this link will direct you to the red version. For the Silver Caran d’Ache Pencil lPeeler you can expect to pay the same price €22
Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler Conclusion
So the Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler is really a difficult product to pin down and give a definitive conclusion on. The way I have tried to look art this product is by first asking what type of person would benefit from this product if any and what medium it is best suited to.
First of all,, in my opinion, I think the Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler is absolutely perfect for pastel pencil artists. We all know just how temperamental pastel pencils can be when it comes to getting a fine point on them, however the Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler makes light work of this issue. It is also important to note that the Pencil Peeler is also able to work with graphite pencils, watercolour pencils, coloured pencils etc and it works well, I personally just feel that the Peeler is perfect for pastel pencils.
In the few years that I have been writing reviews, I have had the absolute honour and privilege of meeting some wonderful people all of whom have shared their own personal struggles with me. It is because of these wonderful people, you guys who watch my videos and read the reviews, that when I am reviewing a product I always make sure I consider people with disabilities in their hands, wrists or arms and make sure I consider them when testing a product.
That being said I know quite a few of you suffer with ailments in your hands, fingers, wrists etc and so the Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler would be ideal for you if you are using pastel pencils. I mention pastel pencils specifically because for all your other pencils I am sure due to your disabilities you will be using a hand crank sharpener.
this isn’t just a fancy craft knife, there is a lot more protection from slicing your fingers when using the Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler over a craft knife and its design affords the artist a lot more control. The price is a bit steep but as I have mentioned, this product isn’t just a fancy craft knife and will make life a little bit faster and comfortable for you.
To see the Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler in action or lack of action, I would love for you to check out my YouTube video review of the product.
