Wall sharpeners work, but they'll shred your colored pencils

You can use a wall-mounted sharpener for colored pencils, but it’s not a great idea.

The problem is that colored pencil cores are softer and waxier than graphite. Wall sharpeners are built for speed and durability — they chomp down hard, and that aggressive bite can snap the lead or chew off way too much wood. You’ll also get waxy residue gumming up the blade, which eventually makes the sharpener dull for everything else. Cheap colored pencils are even worse about breaking.

It’s fine in a pinch if that’s all you’ve got. But if you actually care about your colored pencils, get a basic handheld sharpener made for them, or a crank sharpener with a metal blade. They give you more control and a cleaner point without turning your pencils into nubs.

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