Extreme care is given to the formulas used to insure uniform repetition of pencil marking qualities. This means that there could be more than 25 variances in any given line of artists' graphite drawing pencils. A true pencil aficionado would never think of sharpening his slender collection with an electric apparatus. But among devoted pencil persons, perhaps the most popular sharpening device is a small hand-held sharpener. This is said to give the most even point shape and the most control over the amount of sharpening with the least waste.
Some artists abhor super sharpness in favor of a slightly blunt point.
Their sharpener would be less likely to have a catch-cup attached because the smell of the freshly shaved wood becomes part of the ritual. For this degree of appreciation, there is nothing quite like a jar of freshly sharpened pencils standing in wait for the next assignment or project. Lastly, the drawing surfaces onto which pencil line is placed can vary greatly. Smooth surfaces are best for fine detailed drawings, and heavy textures like watercolor paper can be just right for abstract or experimental work. While we are on the subject of experimentation, remember that pencils are not just graphite.