X-ACTO School Pro Sharpener: Six-Size Dial & Bin
The X-ACTO School Pro (model 1670) is a heavy-duty electric pencil sharpener built for classrooms. A six-size dial fits most pencil sizes, the cutter stops once the point is sharp, and the SafeStart motor won't run while the extra-large shavings bin is out. Distributors list it at 4 × 7.5 × 7.5 in and 3.67 lb.
On this page
Product facts
- Product
- X-ACTO School Pro Electric Pencil Sharpener (1670)
- Brand
- X-ACTO
- Brand origin
- United States
- Made in
- China*
- Material
- Plastic housing; helical steel cutter
- Price range
- $$$$20–75 per item
Notes on these facts
- Made by Newell Brands. Made in China: Newell's product-data record for the 1670X gives CN as the country of origin, as PartsSource did when we first checked; both pages have since stopped showing the field to us. McKesson's listing gives "Unknown", and xacto.com doesn't state it, so check the box if it matters. Source. Price: example listing.
- Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026.
Key takeaways
- Distributors list the School Pro at 4 × 7.5 × 7.5 in (about 102 × 191 × 191 mm); Staples gives 5.5 × 9 × 8.5 in.
- Staples lists its weight as 3.67 lb (about 1.66 kg); the cord is 5 ft (1.5 m).
- A six-size dial sets the opening, and the fly-away cutter stops when the point is formed.
- SafeStart stops the motor when the shavings bin is removed; Auto-Reset guards against overheating.
- A copy of its Amazon listing showed 4.5 stars from 10,682 reviews in January 2026.
What is the X-ACTO School Pro?
It’s an electric desk pencil sharpener made for heavy classroom use, with a six-size dial and an extra-large shavings bin. X-ACTO, the American brand known for its craft knives, sells it as model 1670; retailers list the black unit as 1670X. X-ACTO says its sharpener line was originally marketed under the Boston brand, which is why some listings still say “X-ACTO by Boston”.
It is among the most-reviewed electric sharpeners in the US. A January 30, 2026 copy of its Amazon listing showed 4.5 stars from 10,682 reviews, and Teach Starter calls it a fan favorite that teachers helped design.
X-ACTO School Pro specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | X-ACTO (Newell Brands) |
| Model | 1670 (part number 1670X) |
| Size (W × D × H) | 4 × 7.5 × 7.5 in (about 102 × 191 × 191 mm) |
| Weight | 3.67 lb (about 1.66 kg) |
| Power | AC, 5 ft (1.5 m) cord |
| Pencil sizes | Six-size dial |
| Cutter | Helical steel, fly-away (stops at the point) |
| Safety | SafeStart: no power with the bin removed; Auto-Reset against overheating |
| Color | Black, gray and smoke |
| UPC | 079946271669 |
| Price band | $$$ ($20–75) |
| Made in | China (per PartsSource) |
The size is from distributors Azor, McKesson and PartsSource; Staples lists 5.5 × 9 × 8.5 in, which may include packaging. Weight is from Staples.
How does the six-size dial work?
You turn the dial on the front to match the opening to the pencil you’re sharpening. Newell’s product data says the six-size dial fits nearly every pencil, and retailers mention printed size indicators that make it easy to set.
Listings say it handles colored pencils too. X-ACTO doesn’t publish the diameter of each setting in the sources we found, so try a jumbo or triangular pencil before relying on it. Soft-core pencils such as Prismacolor Premier break easily, so stop as soon as the point forms.
Why does it stop on its own?
Two safety features stop it: SafeStart and the fly-away cutter. SafeStart cuts power whenever the shavings bin is removed, so fingers can’t reach a running blade. The fly-away cutter stops sharpening once the pencil reaches its point, so it doesn’t keep cutting the pencil away.
The manual adds an Auto-Reset feature that pauses the motor if it overheats. If it goes quiet after a run of class sets, unplug it and let it cool.
How does it compare with a hand-crank sharpener?
The School Pro is for volume; a hand-crank gives more control over the point.
| X-ACTO School Pro | CARL Angel-5 Royal 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | Electric (AC) | Hand crank |
| Size | 102 × 191 × 191 mm | 73 × 121 × 132 mm |
| Weight | 3.67 lb (1.66 kg) | 484 g (1.07 lb) |
| Pencil sizes | Six-size dial | Round, triangular, hexagonal |
| Point control | Fixed point, auto-stop | 0.5 or 0.9 mm lead tip |
| Price band | $$$ | $$$ |
For a long point in a pocket-size tool, the KUM Automatic Long Point does wood and graphite in two steps.
Who should buy it?
Teachers, homeschool families and offices that sharpen many pencils a day. One dial covers most school pencils, and the bin holds a lot of shavings between emptyings.
This Old House picks it for classrooms but notes some buyers reported uneven sharpening and early failures; a Ticonderoga #2 or a Paper Mate Mirado Black Warrior with a well-centred core is the fairest test.
Where is the X-ACTO School Pro made?
Newell’s own product data gives China (CN), and PartsSource listed China when we first checked. McKesson’s listing gives “Unknown”, and xacto.com doesn’t state it.
X-ACTO is an American brand owned by Newell Brands. Check the box or the label under the base if origin matters to you.
Frequently asked questions
What size pencils fit the X-ACTO School Pro?
Its six-size dial adjusts the opening from standard to larger pencils, and listings say it works with colored pencils. X-ACTO doesn't publish the diameter of each setting in the sources we found, so check jumbo or carpenter pencils first.
Why won't my X-ACTO School Pro turn on?
Check the shavings bin first: the SafeStart motor won't run unless the bin is fully in place. If it stopped after heavy use, the manual says an Auto-Reset feature pauses it to prevent overheating, so unplug it and let it cool.
Does the X-ACTO School Pro over-sharpen pencils?
It's designed not to. X-ACTO says the fly-away cutter stops sharpening once the pencil reaches its ideal sharpness.
How big is the X-ACTO School Pro?
Distributors list it at 4 × 7.5 × 7.5 in, about 102 × 191 × 191 mm, and 3.67 lb. Staples gives 5.5 × 9 × 8.5 in, which may include packaging.
Is the X-ACTO School Pro quiet?
Listings call the motor quiet, and teacher site Teach Starter praises it for classrooms. We haven't measured its noise yet; This Old House notes some buyers reported uneven sharpening.
What is the difference between the 1670 and the 1670X?
Both refer to the School Pro. Listings name it model 1670 and use 1670X as the part number for the black unit sold in the US.
Where is the X-ACTO School Pro made?
Newell's product data and PartsSource have listed China as the country of origin. X-ACTO is an American brand owned by Newell Brands, and its sharpeners were first sold under the Boston brand.
Sources
- X-ACTO: About us (pencil sharpeners originally marketed under the Boston brand; owned by Newell Brands)
- Staples: X-ACTO School Pro electric pencil sharpener (1670)
- Staples: X-ACTO School Pro customer reviews
- Staples Canada: X-ACTO SchoolPro electric pencil sharpener (5.5 × 9 × 8.5 in, 3.67 lb)
- Newell Brands product data (Salsify): X-ACTO School Pro with six-size dial, XL shavings bin, black (1670X; country of origin CN)
- Azor: Model 1670 School Pro classroom electric pencil sharpener, 4 × 7.5 × 7.5, black/gray/smoke
- McKesson: X-ACTO EPI1670X
- PartsSource: X-ACTO 1670X (country of origin China when first checked)
- ClassWallet: X-ACTO School Pro pencil sharpener (UPC 079946271669)
- manuals.plus: X-ACTO 1670X manual (Auto-Reset)
- Teach Starter: best pencil sharpeners for the classroom
- This Old House: best pencil sharpeners
- Rocketium Sentinel: copy of the Amazon listing B086P836K4 (rating and reviews, January 30, 2026)
- Wikipedia: X-Acto (owned by Newell Brands)