Made in Japan with a die-cast metal body and a specially hardened steel sharpening burr, the Angel5 Premium Pencil Sharpener is definitely the most solid option on the market today. It's built to last a lifetime, with easily serviceable internal parts and a simple, time-tested, nearly all-metal design.

The sharpening mechanism inside the Angel5 Premium is a rotating steel burr — the same type of sharpener you'd find attached to the wall in a schoolroom. Schools buy burr sharpeners because they're safe for fingers; they rarely need maintenance; and they last a long time. This one makes a moderately long point, with a nice balance between strength and length.

To use your CARL Angel5 Premium, first pull the front plate all the way out. Pinch the handles at the top and insert your pencil — a metal clasp will grab the pencil and hold it tightly in place. (Please note that this may leave small marks in the pencil wood.) Then, turn the crank. The Angel5 Premium pulls the pencil in, perfectly centered and straight, and stops when the point is sharp.

Lacquered in pale green, with chrome hardware and a shavings drawer in translucent smoke grey, the CARL Angel5 Premium is a design statement and a useful office tool in one.