KUM Automatic Long Point Sharpener: Two-Step Sharpening
The KUM Automatic Long Point (AS2) is a two-hole handheld pencil sharpener from KUM, a German maker founded in 1919. Hole 1 cuts only the wood until the core reaches an automatic stop; hole 2 then shapes the graphite into a long point. It takes standard 8 mm pencils, forms a 9-degree cone, and KUM labels it made in Germany.
On this page
Product facts
- Product
- KUM Automatic Long Point Sharpener (AS2)
- Brand
- KUM
- Brand origin
- Germany
- Made in
- Germany*
- Material
- Plastic body and container; high-carbon steel blades
- Price range
- $$$5–20 per item
Notes on these facts
- Made by KUM (Erlangen, Germany). Made in Germany: KUM's German shop page for the AS2 and AS2M says "Made in Germany", and its German art-materials catalogue is headed "Hergestellt in Deutschland" (made in Germany). Jackson's Art has also listed Germany. Source. Price: example listing.
- Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026. Conversions to US dollars are approximate, at October 2026 rates (US$1 = ¥158 = ₩1,330 = NT$32.5 = CN¥6.7 = SEK 9.9 = DKK 6.7 = ₺49.6 = C$1.41 = A$1.43; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).
Key takeaways
- Two steps: hole 1 trims the wood until the core hits an automatic brake, and hole 2 points the exposed graphite.
- KUM's German catalogue says the AS2 (item 105.30.21) forms a 9-degree cone and includes 2 spare blades; Escribo lists it for 8 mm pencils.
- KUM's 530A replacement blades measure 7 × 23 × 0.8 mm and come 3 to a pack, per Art Savings Club.
- Fritz Mußgueller and Adam Klebes founded KUM in 1919; KUM, based in Erlangen, calls itself the oldest pencil sharpener maker still in business.
- KUM's German shop lists the AS2 at €5.09 (about US$5.70) and labels it "Made in Germany".
What is the KUM Automatic Long Point sharpener?
It’s a small two-hole handheld sharpener that makes an unusually long pencil point in two separate steps. KUM sells it as the Automatic Long Point, model AS2, and it’s often called the “KUM Long Point” or the “2-step”.
KUM is a German company based in Erlangen. Its German catalogue says Fritz Mußgueller and Adam Klebes founded it in 1919, that it is now run by the third generation of the Lüttgens family, and that it is the oldest pencil sharpener maker still in business.
How do the two holes work?
Hole 1 cuts only the wood, and hole 2 cuts only the graphite. In hole 1, the pencil turns until the core touches an automatic stop, often called the brake. That leaves a long wooden cone with a blunt, exposed core.
Hole 2 then shapes that exposed core into a fine point. KUM’s catalogue says the result is a 9-degree cone, and that the stop also prevents waste because further cutting isn’t possible once each step is done.
KUM Automatic Long Point specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Maker | KUM (Erlangen, Germany) |
| Model | AS2 (item 105.30.21); AS2M (105.31.21) adds 2.0 and 3.15 mm lead holes; AS3 (105.55.11) is a related two-step model |
| Pencils | Standard 8 mm wood-cased (Escribo) |
| Steps | Hole 1: wood, with automatic stop · Hole 2: graphite |
| Cone | 9 degrees (KUM) |
| Blades | High-carbon steel; 2 spares included, stored in the container |
| German list price | €5.09 (about US$5.70); AS2M €5.49 (about US$6.10) |
| Replacement blades | 530A, 7 × 23 × 0.8 mm, pack of 3 |
| Shavings | Flip-top container (one AS2M listing says polystyrene) |
| Made in | Germany (KUM) |
Model numbers, cone angle, spare blades and prices come from KUM’s German catalogue and shop; the pencil size from Escribo and the blade size from a listing for the 530A. KUM doesn’t publish dimensions or a weight for the AS2 in the sources we found.
Which pencils fit?
Retailers such as Escribo list it for standard 8 mm wood-cased pencils. Pencils we cover are a little under that. The Blackwing 602 is about 7.5 mm, and Ticonderoga gives its No. 2 pencil as 9/32 in, about 7.1 mm.
Jumbo pencils wider than 8 mm are outside what retailers list; KUM sells separate sharpeners for thick pencils. For a lead holder, the AS2M adds holes for 2.0 mm and 3.15 mm leads.
Why does the lead break in hole 2?
A long, thin point is more fragile, and the second hole cuts close to it. The Pen Addict, reviewing the Blackwing-branded version, broke leads in the second slot and recommends very light pressure and a careful angle.
Cool Tools’ reviewer found it silent and says it produces a fantastically good point.
How does it compare with the Masterpiece and the Blackwing version?
All three use KUM’s long-point idea; they differ in body and price.
| Automatic Long Point (AS2) | Masterpiece (105.72.11) | Blackwing Long Point | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body | Plastic flip-top container | Magnesium, handmade in Germany | More angular body |
| Cone (KUM) | 9 degrees | 8 degrees | Not stated |
| Brake | Built in | Adjustable, removable | Built in |
| Band ($$ $5–20, $$$ $20–75) | $$ | $$$ | Not checked |
The Well-Appointed Desk says the Blackwing version has a more angular body but, as far as its reviewer knows, the same working parts. KUM’s catalogue gives the Masterpiece (Meisterwerk) a slimmer 8-degree cone, ultra-hard carbon-steel blades and an adjustable stop that can be removed, and a Fountain Pen Network user says it gives a longer point than the Long Point. For a hand-crank desk sharpener with two point settings instead, see the CARL Angel-5 Royal; for a single-hole aluminium long-point sharpener, see the Blackwing One-Step.
Where is the KUM Long Point made?
KUM labels it “Made in Germany” on its own German shop page. Its German art-materials catalogue is headed “Hergestellt in Deutschland” (made in Germany), Jackson’s Art has listed Germany too, and KUM’s English catalogue says it designs and builds most of its moulds and machines in-house, in Erlangen. For other pencils that suit a long point, see the Staedtler Mars Lumograph.
Frequently asked questions
How do you use the KUM Long Point sharpener?
Turn the pencil in hole 1 until it stops cutting: KUM says the automatic stop halts it once the wood is cut back and the lead is exposed to the right length. Then finish the point in hole 2, which shapes only the lead.
Why does the KUM Long Point have two holes?
Splitting the job lets the first blade cut a long wooden cone without touching the core, and the second blade sharpen the exposed core separately. The result is a longer point than a single-hole sharpener gives.
Why does the lead break in the second hole?
Reviewers, including The Pen Addict on the Blackwing-branded version, report leads snapping in the second hole. They recommend very light pressure and a steady angle.
Is the Blackwing Long Point sharpener made by KUM?
Yes. The Palomino Blackwing two-step sharpener is a KUM Automatic Brake Long Point design; reviewers say it has the same working parts in a more angular body.
What is the difference between the KUM AS2 and AS2M?
The AS2 has the two long-point holes for 8 mm pencils. KUM says the AS2M (item 105.31.21) adds sharpeners for 2.0 mm and 3.15 mm leads, for lead holders and clutch pencils.
Can you replace the blades on a KUM sharpener?
Yes. KUM includes two spare blades, stored in the container, and its 530A replacement blades, sold in packs of 3, fit the AS2, AS2M and AS3.
Where are KUM sharpeners made?
In Germany: KUM's own shop labels the Automatic Long Point "Made in Germany". KUM is based in Erlangen, and its catalogue says the Masterpiece (Meisterwerk) is handmade in Germany.
Sources
- KUM (Germany): Automatic AS 2 / AS 2M (shop page: two-phase sharpening, automatic stop, 2.0 and 3.15 mm lead sharpeners, spare blades, €5.09–5.49, Made in Germany)
- KUM (Germany): Katalog Künstlerbedarf (art-materials catalogue, PDF: founders, AS2 105.30.21, 9-degree cone, Meisterwerk 105.72.11, made in Germany)
- KUM: Catalogue 2024 (history since 1919, founders, in-house production, PDF)
- KUM: Back to School (company background)
- Jackson's Art: KUM AS2 Automatic Long Point Sharpener (made in Germany, spare blades; now blocks automated reading)
- Escribo: KUM Long Point AS2 (automatic stop, two spare blades, 8 mm pencils)
- Art Supplies UK: KUM Automatic AS2M (2.0 and 3.15 mm lead sharpeners)
- The Butcher Shop: KUM Automatic AS3 Long Point Sharpener
- Art Savings Club: KUM 530A replacement blades (fits AS2, AS2M, AS3)
- JetPens: KUM Masterpiece sharpener (handmade in Germany)
- The Pen Addict: Palomino KUM Blackwing Automatic Brake Long Point 2 Step Sharpener review
- The Well-Appointed Desk: Sharpener showdown, handheld (KUM vs Blackwing version)
- Cool Tools (Kevin Kelly): KUM long-point pencil sharpener
- Fountain Pen Network: Good pencil sharpeners (KUM Long Point vs Masterpiece)
- Drafting Supplies Depot: KUM two-hole long point pencil sharpener