If you follow any makers on YouTube you probably saw this ugly yet somehow charming little mechanical pencil in action. The Paper Mate SharpWriter is a strange beast, full of surprises. It’s a mechanical pencil with a twist mechanism in the tip instead of a click mechanism under the cap, it actually has a serviceable eraser, and it’s non-refillable. It’s as if Paper Mate saw the “Think Different” ad and said, “yes, but how can we apply that to a mechanical pencil?”
First of all, you can buy the Paper Mate SharpWriter in many different widths, as long as they’re all 0.7mm. This has the added value of saving Paper Mate the need to indicate the lead width on the pencil, because there’s only one width to rule them all. I can’t honestly fault them for that. It’s a pencil that’s meant for students and bills itself as having less lead breakage, and so 0.7mm is the way to go.
There are some interesting things going on with the business side of this pencil. First and foremost, that’s where the lead propelling mechanism is, which caught me by surprise. It’s a twist mechanism, and it’s pretty sophisticated as it allows you to easily extend and retract the lead to suit your needs. The second part is the “lead cushioning mechanism” which means that the lead springs up and down as you right, preventing you from breaking it if you exert too much pressure. It works, but I’m not a fan as it makes me feel as if the lead is broken inside and I have to extend it to get rid of the small broken piece and reach the “real” lead left inside. It’s going to take some time for me to get used to it.
The eraser is downright phenomenal, as it actually erases things quite well, and doesn’t tear into the page. The lead itself is a solid HB 0.7mm lead that is smooth and on the slightly darker side of HB.
The Paper Mate SharpWriter isn’t a pretty of fancy mechanical pencil, but it’s comfortable to hold, lightweight, and has a playful colour scheme that recalls a woodcase pencil. And like a woodcase pencil, it’s disposable, which is where my only real beef with this pencil lies. Yes, this is a student pencil, and so it’s likely to get lost or somehow broken (it’s far from flimsy, but where there’s a will, there’s a way), and if the pencil won’t be lost, the leads will, and yet… The last thing the world needs is more plastic waste.
So, do I recommend the Paper Mate SharpWriter? No, and not because there’s anything wrong with the pencil, it’s just that there’s very little justification for a disposable mechanical pencil when there are cheap, good and even great refillable options to be had in the market.
But I do understand the makers who have fallen for this ugly duckling.
Writing at Large 
Julie Ford
I have never hated anything more than the new Sharpwriter pencils. The lead is NOT #2 anymore. It is scratchy and hard and not anything like it used to be. What has happened? I’ve tried to tell Sharpwriter that these new manufactured pencils are terrible. Are they listening to me? I can send you pictures of the difference in how great the older Sharpwriters were compared to what is going on now. Yes, I’m upset because I’ve not used any other mechanical pencil in 15 years. Help someone, please listen. These pencils are advertised as #2 lead. They are NOT #2 lead. They are closer to #4. Please let me send comparison pictures to someone – please!!! It no longer wins my heart. To the person writing this blog – have you tried the new pencils? Evidently you have not.
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Sharon
This is not the same pencil I have used for over forty years…not #2, scratches the paper, eraser smears dark, first noticed the plastic case the color of anemic lemons…goodbye Papermate!!
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Charlotte Melichar
I agree that these Papermate Sharpwriter pencils have changed for the worse! They used to write darker and erase clean. This time, I received one that did not even have a lead inside … just an empty plastic tube! But the erasers used to work … and they don’t work any more … they just smear the erroneous marks around … MOST disappointing! I thought I could depend on Papermate Sharpwriter … but not any more. I’m looking for a replacement that writes darker and erases cleaner!
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Julie Ford
When someone finds a pencil that can replace what Sharpwriter used to be, please report back. I get disgusted every time I pick up one of the “new” pencils that I foolishly have spent money on. I did make an observaton, however. The “new” Sharpwriter pencils are now manufactured by Newell. The ones we loved were manufactured by Sanford. I have tried to explain to Newell that they need to get the “recipe” from Sanford and get this corrected. The erasers smudge, the pencil lead slips and the lead is a #3 or #4 and can barely be seen. I started writing to Sharpwriter about this over a year ago but not sure they have listened.
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Larry Sibley
The lead is not dark like it used to be. Does any one know a different pencil that wrights darker?
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Angie
Comments here have justified my sentiments about this pencil that I’ve been using since the mid 80’s when I was in college. I can’t tell you how disappointed I am in the new formula. I’ve bought my last sharpwriter.
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Ashley Thompson
AGGH! I have recently used up all the last of my “old” Papermate Sharpwriters, which I believe are the best-writing and best-erasing mechanical pencils of all time. I cannot believe how AWFUL the new ones are– the lead is like a needle, scratching up the page and leaving permnanent imprints. It was a pleasure to write with the old Sharpwriter– this new version is SO inferior that I cannot continue to use it. Has anyone found something else that compares witht the prior Sharpwriter?
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Stephen
Have to agree and pile on about the lousy changes. As a calligrapher, even when using pencils instrument weight, lead softness and eraser all matter. This replacement monstrosity is awful. Glad one of my kids was willing to take them back to college. We’ll see if he’s still using them when he returns
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Julie Ford
I have been in touch with Papermate about the Sharpwriter decline. I mailes a package to them including one of my old pencils and a new pencil so they could compare what I wanted them to see. Also, I wrote with both pencils so they could see the difference and the fact the new pencils are NOT #2. I would say a #4. This was months ago and I plan to stay on top of this because I have not found other mechanical pencils that are any good. I have also looked on line for reviews and sent them the worst reviews ever so they can’t ignore the fact other people feel like I do. I will be relentless in my pursuit! I want my Sharpwriter back. This all happened after the company was sold from Sanford to Newell. Thanks for listening.
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Connie VanRiper
The “new” Papermate Sharpwriter pencils are terrible! I have used and loved these pencils for years, but my stash has run out. These “new”pencils write so light it is hard to read. The lead is definitely not #2! So very disappointing! I will not waste my money on these new Papermate Sharpwriter pencils.
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Julie Ford
I have been in touch with Papermate and reported all of the reviews to them that show how these “new Sharpwriter pencils have not been well received. I’m now on a first name basis with a customer service rep there and she is trying to report everything I send her. I still have 2 of the OLD boxes with the best pencils in the world. Am hoping this problem will get fixed before i run out.
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Jackie Grisham
Thank you! I feel just like you! Loved the old one and want it back!
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goodsam73
I just bought a new pkg of the sharpwriters and was horrified that they have been “ruined” – I thought I was going nuts when the pencil no longer wrote with that nice creamy dark line. So I googled up problems with the sharp writers and viola ! I found all of you and couldn’t agree more. Please whoever is PRESIDENT OF PENCILS fix this !!! I want my old yellow pencils back that I have been using for 30 years PLEASE !!!
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goodsam73
To the president of pencils !! Please bring back the old sharpwriters with the dark creamy black lead – the new pencils are just awful scratchy light and cheesy. Am really sorry I bought them and hope I can somehow find some of your old ones even if it’s at the bottom of my junk drawer 😦
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Julie Ford
I have done a lot to try to get our old Sharpwriter pencils back. I sent the corporate office one of my old pencils and then one of the terrible new ones to let them compare. I compared them on a sheet of paper to show the difference. SO, here is what all of you can do to help on this.
Call this number and talk to Cindy. Her position is “Executive Care” in the Corporate Office.
844-385-0251. Here is her email and maybe better to put in writing all you have said above. writingconsumercare2@newellco.com
Find out if any progress has been made to correct the lead they are using in the pencils now. It is scratchy and terrible and definitely not a #2 lead so it’s false advertising on the box to say that. Let our voices be heard!!!!
I copied and pasted all of the comments I have found online from all of the many Comsumers that are very unhappy about what has happened to our Sharpwriter pencils. I sent them to Cindy a few months ago. The quality control department at Newell has fallen down on their job. I told Cindy they all need to be fired. I can’t use any other pencil that the old Sharpwriters and luckily still have a box of the old ones or I would be banging on their doorstep. Bring back the old Sharpwriter Pencils!!
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goodsam73
thanks Julie for the papermate contact info – I will most definitely write to them
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Julie Ford
Please do. I MISS our old pencils and I don’t know what has happened but it’s the Lead, stupid, it’s the lead! I know Cindy is trying to get them to listen and the more customers that complain the better the chances are to make them correct this. I told them that advertising #2 lead on the box and “suitable for testing” is not true and perhaps the FTC would like to know about it. Thank you for your time and help.
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