Simple Chalk Sharpener
I recently saw this pencil sharpener from Makers Cabinet , a stationary manufacturer based in the UK.
Their design is based on a Hand Plane tool that is commonly used by carpenters.
It inspired me to apply the same concept on a Chalk Sharpener:
I personally dislike the current designs on the market for the following reasons:
Too many blades: This is just bad design and increases cutting hazard.
Big gap between blades and edges of the box: Small chalks are impossible to sharpen.
Deep boxes: This allows for the collection of A LOT of chalk which in turn makes the removal process a terrible mess.
Bad chalk removal mechanism: Many of them require you to unscrew components.
Size: They don't have to be any bigger than necessary.
Price: Fancy designer markets aside, an essential tool like this in its basic form should not cost any more than £30 (including profit for the maker).
I have made the sketch above to start the conversation and to see if you are interested in developing something together.
It would be nice if people can make and sell these in their country. It will help tailors to have an accessible (and well designed) tool to increase efficiency. Besides that, it can be a great side hustle!
If you have access to carpentry tools and are interested in developing this idea or have a different concept in mind regarding chalk sharpeners, comment below and who knows where it will get us!
We can improve the construction and aesthetics. Our industry will eventually benefit from it.
Reza.
Oliver!
Great stuff! You made a first prototype. Thank you for taking the time to do this.
The sharpener has indeed failed to sharpen the chalk perfectly.
However, before drawing any final conclusions, I would try to rectify a few things. I'm not expecting you to do it but here they are:
If you look closely at the sketch I made, the edges of the gap in which the blade resides are rounded. This is to prevent those edges to also act as blades.
The gap behind the blade is very small in the sketch. That same gap is a lot larger in the prototype. the bigger this gap, the less stable the chalk will slide over the surface of the sharpener, resulting in inconsistent pressure and angles which in turn can mess up the edges of the chalk.
I have a feeling that the original 45º angle of the blade is not good. An angle of 30º could potentially work much better.
As I'm writing all this, I'm thinking what if we replaced the blade with a rod that had sand paper wrapped around it? Is that something that could still be tried on your prototype? The sand paper would just like the blade stick out about a mm from the surface and give a super smooth edge (if the sandpaper is fine grain)
Fully agree with the blade having 2 screws for more stability.
Let me know what you think.
Reza
International School of Tailoring