Pencil Sharpener Review: T'gaal Adjustable

A plastic little sharpener that's getting a lot of buzz, let's see how the T'gaal adjustable pencil sharpener performs. I run sharpening tests on several different brands of colored pencils including Faber-Castell Polychromos, Prismacolor Premier, Marco Raffine and more. Be sure to watch to the end for a follow-up message.
SHARPENER REVIEWED
Kutsuwa STAD T'GAAL Angle Adjustable Pencil Sharpener:
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[@drdmom9700]

This is my favorite sharpener for all my brands of pencil crayons.

[@libbysmith3209]

Wow! I learned so much. I've had.my eye on this sharpener. So glad I came across your review. Thanks, Jennifer. Libby

[@ShelleensCreativityRoom]

I just got the T'Gaal and learning how to use it. Thanks for showing.

[@ColoringBliss]

+Shelleen Toland, I am glad I could help. It really was a fun sharpener. Hopefully yours will work good like a lot of the people commenting here. 👍😊

[@pennylevalley9970]

You need to use a regular number 2 graphite lead. The color pencils do leave a build up on the blade. I have had mine for over a year and still use it. I mostly use mine on my Prisma.

[@bunniecharlottepicher9138]

I enjoy your reviews and read the comments. It does help me to decide what to purchase. Thank you for doing all the testing.

[@ColoringBliss]

+Bunnie Charlotte Picher, you are welcome. I know I'm not the only one who wants every dollar to be spent wisely, so even purchasing a pencil sharpener can be a big decision.

[@pet3theblockheadshamster743]

Thanks for the advice on plastic sharpeners! Even though I am not an artist, I have also experienced problems like this on other plastic sharpeners the more I use them.

[@ColoringBliss]

+Pet3 The Blockheads Hamster, glad I could help. Thanks for watching.

[@Tippel3]

Heard this problem from nearly everyone. The sharpener seems to start great but after a short amout of time (between 1 week - 4 moths?) it dies instantly. Only a very few seem to last a longer time. But why? Maybe it's which pencils you use? But I think a sharpener should be able to sharpen all common types of wood thats used for pencils. I saw someone changed the blade but even that doesn't solve the problem, so I assume it has to be something in the inside that gets bent or anything like this, therefore the blade isn't replacable to the right position or angle anymore.

[@ColoringBliss]

+Kei Ner, it is a strange issue...I am going to give it another go...wish me luck.

[@cherii6124]

I'm pretty sure people sharpen the wrong way because she was turning the sharpener, but I turn the pencil

[@Zaners82123]

Try using a harder graphite pencil to sharpen the blade. That typically helps with other sharpeners I use that get that way. Haven't tried this one yet though

[@sheilasinghal2922]

The blade for this is incredibly hard to get at. I'm surprised anyone could change it, which is a serious drawback to this sharpener for me - even though it's still one of my favourites to carry in my art travel kit. :)

[@KenPaul66]

Jennifer, that was the exact same thing that happened to me. My T'gaal worked wonderfully for short while and then - nothing.

[@sarah28681]

Hi Jennifer! Thanks for checking out all those sharpeners for us! Last night in Walmart I found a colored pencil by leisure arts that were not to expensive and they seem to have good color payoff. Thought you might want to check them out!

[@ColoringBliss]

+CraftySarah80, thanks for the suggestion. I will add them to my growing list of pencils that I still NEED 😉❤️

[@dawnreaume6003]

Oh no! I just bought the T'Gal sharpener I took it out of the package but have not tried it yet I hope mine doesn't break that fast! I have been using my Prismacolor sharpener for about a year now I really like it! Only thing is the cap is attached by a little piece of plastic and I happened to break that I was pulling on it to open it to empty out the shavings! so now I have to hold it on with a piece of tape! Thank you for the reviews!

[@ColoringBliss]

+Dawn Reaume, maybe your T'Gaal will be fantastic...I know a lot of people love them! Good luck. 😊💚

[@sheilasinghal2922]

Is it possible that a teensy bit of pencil lead is jammed into the end of the blade? I've had that happen with this sharpener as the blade dulls with use, but completely clearing out the blade, then sharpening a graphite pencil has always fixed the issue. The only thing is that the blade is ridiculously hard to get at, so it can be annoying! Otherwise, I really like this sharpener, especially for my short stubby pencil ends (which I carry in my art travel kit). I have about 20 different kinds of sharpeners, including all of the M+R sharpeners (I clearly have an addiction!), but this is still one of my top picks, despite it being almost impossible to change the blade.

[@gadgetgirl6632]

I want to be just like you when I grow up! You are really my coloring heroine. Between your coloring techniques and tutorials, I have grown so much in my coloring. Like you, I color to distract me from chronic pain. That and the fact coloring keeps me from going on a tri-state killing spree when people have been too stupid to deal with. Peace, love and pixie dust - Tammy

[@ColoringBliss]

+Gadget Girl66, lol...I'm flattered and so very happy to hear that I'm keeping you from going on a killing spree 😉😂❤️

[@sumachy]

I’ve had a few of these. I found if I took the whole thing apart completely cleaned and reassembled it, it worked again. For only a while. I think pencil lead is getting under the blade and throwing it out of working order. I do love it so much though that I purchased several and only use one brand of pencil in each. Prismacolor scholar pencil sharpener is a great one to try. It keeps going and going

[@ColoringBliss]

Good to know! Thanks 💚

[@TheShannaginz]

My T’gaal is amazing. I’ve dropped it a couple times and the close doesn’t close anymore but I just grabbed my Tgaal and it still works perfectly. You got a bunk one. I’d get another one

[@jlws9978]

I bought the exact same one and after about a month mine did the same thing. I'm not sure what is wrong with it. My new favorite is the brass M&R... it sharpens like a dream! I still like my KUM but I'm loving the M&R😊thanks for your videos!

[@ColoringBliss]

+Jenn Jenn, thanks for the recommendation...I will check it out...love your name! 😉❤️

[@sheriking4041]

I have a T’Gaal and I have had the same problem with the tip not sharpening. And this problem has happened with my old Prismacolor Sharpener then I realize that a tip of a pencil got stuck in the sharper. Have you checked for that?

[@MoistMage69]

I have T'GAAL sharpener and it works great and I run a graphite pencil through it after every 10 pencil or less and it is still working never had the problem you had at all and I have been using it wit my prismacolor premier pencils also I use the 1-3 setting is for for soft core pencils and the 4-5 is for harder pencils and I run my graphite lead pencil through at those settings. I hope that helps you. I am so glad it works with triangle pencils I got a set of the Mu Hero watercolor pencils only could get the 72 set and they are triangle shaped. I am going to get a full set of them in 150 pencils and they are the round barrels lol

[@CrouchingShiba]

Very helpful. Thanks!

[@kbhnanofish2042]

Jennifer, I ordered the 4pk of the T"Gall on amazon and they are working fine giving a nice fine tip...Have had the for 4 weeks and love them...perhaps you could try another one, thinking you got a bad one???? Give them another chance...

[@ColoringBliss]

+Kim Beth, I'm happy to hear your sharpeners are working good. I wish mine had worked better. Perhaps some day I will try again because it was a fun little sharpener.

[@dscritter614]

I just got this and tuned n2 YOU 2 tell me how 2 work it. LOL You've always said 2 spin the Sharpener, but I believe this is the 1st time u said WHY. I find it awkward, so I needed a why. B/C I have prismas and we all know how finicky they can b, I will now practice my turning. Thanks so much 4 this thorough vid.

[@gkarreq2007]

Have you done a detailed review on the Carl pencil sharpener? Or the Fiber Castell Trio sharpening box 3 sharpeners in one for all pencil shapes? Would love to see those two reviewed.

[@kattriella1331]

I actually have two of these. I love mine!

[@richardbailey2624]

I love the way the Tgaal sharpener works with the adjustable tip settings! It seems to works really well on the cheaper pencils but will it work as well on prismas,etc ? Haven't watched the whole video yet. Maybe you'll try that. Is that a jar of shavings ! If so what do you do with them?

[@dawnwilliams1775]

I found same. I keep graphite to sharpen after every colour or two. Also I had to push a little harder. Still loving it though. Thanks for reminding me of the close. I was keeping mine in a ziplock bag. Close is much simpler. I keep mine on 1 and resharpen often. Saves wood.

[@ColoringBliss]

+Dawn Williams, thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts.

[@shanamoens822]

I think the instructions on the back said that setting 1 and 2 are for colored pencils only. 3 - 4 for B - 6B and 5 for HB and harder pencils. I'm not sure, but that's what it seemed like. Maybe by not following that it broke so quickly.

[@ColoringBliss]

I don’t think my instructions said that. Maybe the newer packages have new instructions. I will have to check mine.

[@OrganizeCreateDecorate]

I'm so shocked to hear bad reviews for the T'Gaal. I've had two for over two years and have never had a bit of trouble with either one. I even took the first one apart to see how it worked. I keep the blade sharp by sharpening a graphite pencil now and then. I wonder if the gears are slipping on the ones that stop working? If so than taking them apart to fix them might be worth a try.

[@wfm5121954]

Thank you, for these videos. I've had trouble with sharpening my Prismacolors by hand. Electric Sharpeners work very well but I no longer have one. I think it's important to remember that these type of sharpeners are only good for so long. I know. It's frustrating to suddenly be without a pencil sharpener. My new strategy is to carry several different ones.

[@ColoringBliss]

+Wendy Frances Milone...oooo we need a necklace pencil sharpener so we have one with us at all times!

[@dawnreaume6003]

Coloring Pages Bliss - A necklace pencil sharpener would be Awesome! So many times you set it down and it gets lost in the blankets! But if you could snap your pencil sharpener necklace around your neck while you color problem solved! But it would have to be a Kum painted gold! Ha ha What I think is funny is my son who is a senior this year in high school he has been collecting pencil sharpener's since kindergarten always searching for the perfect one but carrying them around in his pocket or swinging them around and they would always get broken! I probably saved seven or eight I wish I had saved all of them in a box it would be funny to look at again!

[@ColoringBliss]

+Dawn Reaume, what a fun thing to collect! I'm hoping my son will have time to help me create something with all the pencil shavings I have been collecting before he leaves for Florida in 3 weeks. We shall see.

[@kimbearlysoriginal4276]

Same problem for me. I wish it sharpened the same way are though it were new. Did not last long just as you said. Great review.

[@ColoringBliss]

+Kimbearlys Original, thanks for watching...glad to hear I'm not the only one having an issue with this sharpener

[@JasonECI]

10:04 My experience on this was a very small broken tip section stuck at the end of the barrel to stop pencil from getting further in so all pencils run freely there. Use a toothbrush to brush off the tip and it's back again, but you mentioned the blade was cleared, so might be something else.

[@haroldgardenhour1535]

I bought one of these (another brand name) but same design and adjustable blade setting 1 - 5. And yes, it seemed to work well when new; however, as time went on with limited use, the sharpening appeared to not be as good. I agree, the plastic design may not be the best for moving parts. Plastic adjustments experience "wear" over time as they just are not hard enough to prevent this wearing. Also, as time went on you need to keep pressing harder- forcing the pencil in and against the blade.

[@Jinxs-Journey]

Ive got this sharpener and some of the dearer ones this by far works the best for me on all my pencils, rate it better than most x five stars from me for it.

[@ColoringBliss]

+charlotte heart, good to know. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.

[@SimpleArtforAdults]

Hi Jennifer. Is the T'Gaal still holding up? Thinking of making the switch from the black Prismacolor one.

[@jakkibrown1307]

My favorite sharpener does the same thing. For mine it is because a small piece of pencil lead will periodically break at the end of the metal blade. I get a toothpick and dislodge it and I am ready to go again. Could this be happening with yours? Looking at your video I can't tell if the bottom end is accesible for you. Hope this helps.

[@ColoringBliss]

+Jakki Brown, thanks for the suggestion. I thought it was the same thing and I have checked and triple checked because that is exactly what it feels like. I keep hoping there is a simple answer like that. Maybe I will quadruple check lol

[@vsmeans]

I bought one of these last year and it started doing the exact same thing after only using it four times! ☹️. Went to the craft store and bought a KUM four way and it still works great! 😊.

[@ColoringBliss]

+Val Kinser yay for the dependable KUM! I'm glad you found a sharpener that works for you.

[@lindajones-johnson4524]

What is a Kum 4 way?

[@zoeyloco]

09:30 So sad to see it lasts so short! I bought the transparent version to make sure I can see how much it clogged up as it is a common problem among reservoir sharpeners. I even use the vacuum cleaner to suck the particles out but guess it doesn't always help. 😅 Hope it lasts longer because I'm using it for graphite pencils.

[@sallyannmales4676]

I'm beginning to have same problem with my tgall sharpener, I thought it was me ,thank you for your pencil sharpener show. i have a deli I've been using for a few months and it's great. i also have cheap colour pencils, wood is bare not coloured, oh boy they are nasty little bliters. I don't think they are good enough for tiny children let alone school age so they are going in the bin. the tgall was chopping then it got stuck on those pencils, but so did other sharpener. The deli seems good, maybe you would like to try it.

[@shaynareynolds771]

I got a two-pack of these & the first one did that "shave the wood but then spin freely & not sharpen the pencil thing" right out of the gate. I was discouraged & haven't tried the 2nd one yet to see if it is any better. I also noticed (and saw in your video) that the sharpener was scraping the paint higher up on the barrel of the pencil when it was busy not sharpening the pencil. Bah!

[@ColoringBliss]

+Shayna Reynolds, yes! The scaling the pencil thing really bugs me too! Thanks for your comment.

[@terilew1]

My T'gaal pencil sharpener did the same thing. I've tried sharpening a graphite pencil in it, made sure it was all cleaned out but nothing got it to work. I've bought the prismacolor pencil sharpener, the KUM eclipse and another 5 dollar sharpener that I can't remember right now. My favorite pencil sharpeners are the eyebrow pencil sharpeners I find at the Dollar Tree. They work the best. I have the wet n' wild dual pencil sharpener and the L.A. colors that comes with a couple of eyebrow pencils.

[@ColoringBliss]

+terilew1 sounds like you had the same experience I had. Thanks for the dollar store suggestion 👍😊

[@terilew1]

you're welcome. It doesn't hurt to check out the dollar store pencil sharpeners. I think they work great and the only time I've had any pencils break is when it's been user error...some times I over sharpen so the tip will break and if it does...maybe once every 25 pencils or so I um...glue the tips back on the pencil, lol.

[@Shannonconstantlycolors]

Hmm that's so odd. I've used several of these. While it's not my favorite anymore, I did like it when i used it. I'm thinking this one has a malfunction? Anyways, my favorite sharpener now is the Prismacolor one. It has a nice big barrel for shavings and sharpens my Prismacolors really nice. I also use an electric sharpener that I love. Now that I'm thinking about it. My T'Gaal did cause more breaks with my Prismacolors than the Prismacolor sharpener or my electric sharpener. I would not go back to T'Gaal because of the breakage. Nice review. Hi Rose.

[@ColoringBliss]

+Shannon Coppersmith, sounds like I need to try the Prismacolor soon. Thanks for the comment.

[@brandonsmith4361]

I really like this review nice job

[@ColoringBliss]

+Brandon Smith, thanks 😊❤️

[@boot734]

Brandon Smith thank you and I appreciate your sharing

[@brandonsmith4361]

It means that you're holding the sharpener indirect angle when you open the door and sharpen a pencil side by side or you can the syllables or stand with a character's how you can hold your sharpener that's what it means in Japanese

[@smencosdepasol]

Hi, do you know another sharpener to get the number 1 short point? I havent be able to find one

[@smencosdepasol]

Even if its not adjustable, just a fixed short point , like number 1 set from tgaal, thz

[@ColoringBliss]

What you are looking for is a sharpener that can sharpen at a steeper angle to create a more stubby point. I have seen some electric sharpeners with this function. Also, as a more economical option) try the Sun-Star Sect Double Pencil Sharpener. It is advertised to have a long point and a shorter point…fyi, I haven’t tried this one yet.

[@zoe1baby]

I have one too... Once it goes bad I am getting a Kum!

[@EvelynBreault]

I wonder your thoughts on the staedtler pencil sharpener.

[@ColoringBliss]

+Evelyn Breault, I have one that I got a while back and it worked pretty good. I felt like it went dull a little faster than the Kum, but it did have a nice container to hold shavings.

[@EvelynBreault]

I'm glad to hear yours went dull too. I thought it was just because I was using mine daily in my classroom. Several pencils and pencil crayons got sharpened with mine, but it went dull in less than 10 months. I am going to be looking for the Kum ones.

[@lo3551]

FWIW I have this sharpener. Unlike you Jennifer I am bad and sharpen in the opposite direction to you and I've been using this T'gaal esp with my Prismacolors and many months later it is still working as sharp as ever. In fact I used it today and was interested in your video when I saw it. The only thing I would prefer is that it was the pink one as mine is orange😃. In Australia I had no choice of colour buying it on eBay 😉. Perhaps turning the opposite way as bad as that might be is why mine has lasted. I don't know. Thanks for your video Jennifer.🌹

[@ColoringBliss]

+Lo, thanks for the comment. I'm glad yours is still working. Judging by the comments I'm getting here, it sounds like there is a mix of results with this sharpener. Thanks for watching. 😊

[@LucyMMoura]

Have You checked for a broken tio inside the actual sharpener?

[@ColoringBliss]

+Lucy Mendes de Moura, yes...many many times because I keep hoping that's the problem.

[@sarahinAB]

Mine did this also, I sharpened a graphite pencil in it and it brought it back!

[@ColoringBliss]

+SarahinAB, thanks for the suggestion. I tried that and it didn't help, but maybe I should try again because I was really enjoying this cute little sharpener.

[@KenPaul66]

I'm going to try that and see if it gets mine back to sharpening again.

[@MariaLincoln]

Sounds dumb but how do you know when it’s sharpened or just a case of just keep checking

[@ColoringBliss]

No dumb questions! Some sharpeners just stop cutting...the pencil just sort of spins in the slot. Some sharpeners you do need to check to see if it’s done...especially if your pencil is off centered or if you are trying to preserve as much of the core as possible.

[@loisphillips1]

Please test the Prismacolor sharpener. I am having a hard time getting used to turning the sharpener, instead of the pencil. It feels so unnatural.

[@ColoringBliss]

+Lois Phillips, it took me a long time to retrain myself to turn the sharpener. I find it more comfortable to hold the shsrpener in my left hand, but most people prefer holding it in their right hand. Good luck. 😊

[@Shannonconstantlycolors]

Lois Phillips I love my Prismacolors sharpener. I can't turn the sharpener either. Lol. Glad I'm not alone. I still do it the old fashioned way. I just try to keep the pencil straight. I use my Prismacolors most of the time because I love them so. I do recommend the Prismacolors sharpener. Though it is big. I keep mine in a small pocket in my bag along with my derwent eraser.

[@ZenaBattaglia]

Shannon Coppersmith I agree Lois, I also have the Alvin Bullet.

[@SimpleArtforAdults]

It might just be me, but if you're using the black Prisma sharpener that gives you the short nubby point, it's the only one that seems to perform worse if you turn the sharpener instead of the pencil. It kept breaking mine. I went back to turning the pencil (gently) and haven't had an issue with that one since. Like I said, it might just be me - or something with my sharpener - but that's how I use this sharpener. ONLY the black Prisma sharpener... I still turn all the other sharpeners while I hold the pencil still.

[@andersml75]

You can use your phones camera with Google translate to translate from japaness to english. 😊

[@leothompson2300]

I loved this pencil sharpener until tonight - yes my behaved just like yours did - such a shame as up to now it was perfect -I watched your video to see if anyone else had the same problem

[@teaganblue7318]

Is a prismacolor sharpener review coming?

[@ColoringBliss]

+Teagan Blue yes!

[@nancivessells1909]

Sorry you had a problem with this one b/c this is basically the only sharpener I use. So far no problems. Maybe you just got a dud.

[@katerichardson9213]

Hi Jennifer, I have the T'gaal pencil sharpener, it is my favourite, it always sharpens my special pencils beautifully, I've had no problems with my sharpener, please give it another try, I would like you to do a review of Smoov Gel Pens, I can't get them in the UK so I sent an email to the seller and they offered to send me a set free,the first set had problems so they sent me another set. The company is based in Chicago, the pens are sets of 36, and a set with a pen pouch if you need more information I will send it. From Kate Richardson in the UK

[@ColoringBliss]

+kate richardson, thanks for the recommendation. I have seen those before. Sounds like you are getting fantastic customer service from them!

[@HarperSophia]

FYI does not work well with the lightfast pencils. The hole is too narrow and it damages the pencil.

[@tharrison0043]

All pencil sharpeners work good when you first get them,then they go down hill from there.

[@deannaaddyman9719]

Sorry it didn't work well for u. I absolutely love this sharpener!! It is the only 1 I use for my Prismacolor premiers. I use it on 2 and it works great!! I really don't have any breakage!! The less wood showing the stronger the pencil is!! And u need all the strength u can get when using prismacolors!! I found that the sharpener last a few months and that coloring every night for 3 to 4 hourz!! also, I found a 4 pack.of these for about $15 on Amazon. As for your problem... if u try angling (a very slight angle) the pencil toward the blade it might work for u.

[@ColoringBliss]

+Deanna Addyman, thanks for the suggestion and I'm so glad it's working well for you..I wish mine had because it was such an awesome concept. Thanks for watching.

[@lesliesayles3858]

I got this sharpener and it did not last long I was vary disappointed and I have tried lots of sharpener

[@bicali_pierfishing1567]

It's because you We're spinning the pencil sharpener backwards and the blade got dal u had to spin the pencil sharpener forward

[@JohnBritton]

Prismacolor scholar sharpener

[@jupiterscorpio4206]

blunt blade

[@parsleybrain]

Mine sharpener behaved exactly like your sharpener. Good points for some time and then the problem occured, no points only spinning and nothing happens. Waste of money!

[@ColoringBliss]

+parsleybrain, so frustrating that it is a Japanese company and we can't discuss the issue with them. 😡

[@jupiterscorpio4206]

The blade is blunt

[@dawnreaume6003]

Maybe you should order a new one! I have read so many good things about it maybe you just got a bad one! If they were breaking so easily with everyone there would be bad reports about it! Just a thought! Thank you!

[@ColoringBliss]

+Dawn Reaume, I may try again some day. For now, I will probably give a few other brands a try.

[@maryfender6914]

That's ashamed it had a defective in it.

[@meli5178]

Third

[@katiebell6081]

X-acto school pro

[@carmellelapointe7583]

My Tgal was junk. Cheaply made, didn't last at all.

[@brandonsmith4361]

Did you know that I can speak very little bit Japanese

[@ColoringBliss]

+Brandon Smith, you can translate for us!

[@katiebell6081]

X-acto school pro