Schnitzer - Mikaela Gonzalez

Schnitzer questions the conventional approach to pencil sharpening. Although sharpeners come in many different shapes and sizes, they still rely on the same basic principle: guiding the pencil through a fixed opening to create a standardized tip. Schnitzer takes a different approach. The tip is shaped through controlled carving, allowing users to consciously decide its form, length, angle, and even how much material is removed. Sharpening becomes more than a functional task—it becomes a playful part of the creative process. Two distinct versions offer different ways of interacting with the tool, encouraging users to discover their own preferred method of sharpening. An interchangeable thumb button adds a personal touch and allows the tool to be customized. The result is a tool that reinterprets an everyday object, giving users the freedom to shape each pencil tip according to their own needs.