SHU SHU's 'shin' sharpener ensures the pencil is always mightier than the sword

design brand SHU SHU has collaborated with japanese manufacturer kakuri works to develop a novelty way of sharpening your dull pencils — like a sword. the ‘shin’ sharpener is a whetstone-style pencil sharpener that transforms the everyday task into a meditative practice. the repetitive action of honing the edge of your pencil is intended to support concentration, inspiration and inner peace.

‘shin’ turns the task into a meditative practice to support concentration, inspiration and inner peace

the name ‘shin’ is japanese and means ‘pencil lead’, but also ‘pure’, ‘spirit’, ‘truth’ and ‘new’. ‘while sharpening your pencil, the meditative task of doing it with shin makes you also sharpen your spirit and senses that you need for your creative work, may it be sketching, writing or drawing’, explains SHU SHU. to make sure your pencil is always mightier than any sword, the blade is made from extremely sharp hitachi blue paper steel. the casing — which is crafted from oiled japanese red oak and ebony wood — includes a storage pocket for pencils, the blade and a fitted lid.

 
the blade is made from hitachi blue paper steel, while the box is crafted from japanese red oak and ebony wood

the pencil is sharpened by running the tip back and forth across the surface of the blade, guided by a shallow channel. rotating the pencil each time ensures an even shave, and allows for greater accuracy — whether you need a wide point or a sharp, thin one. as such, the physical task of sharpening the pencil bears both a meditative and functional purpose intended to aid your creativity both spiritually and practically. the sliced chippings fall into and are stored in a small brass container, keeping your mind sharp and your desk clean.

rotating the pencil each time ensures an even shave, and allows for greater accuracy

project info:

designers: SHU SHU & kakuri works, japan
manufacturer: kakuri works, japan
available at: SHU SHU munich, germany
size: l270xw33xh51mm
weight: 350g

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: peter corboy | designboom