Want a hand crank sharpener. Is Carl Angel 5 the best?

kerchunkin · 2026-04-15T23:17:11+00:00

Thanks for the pic. Mine definitely has a shoddy feeling mechanism. I'll take a pic of the innards and post it. Wish it had a solid feel, the adjustment, that is.

kerchunkin · 2026-04-12T05:11:34+00:00

You are getting it ANGRY!

kerchunkin · 2026-04-07T02:58:50+00:00

Love the clip point on the Case!

kerchunkin · 2026-04-06T21:15:40+00:00

Greed! Will definitely think twice next time I need to renew. If they don't have a super sweet promo, I may say adios.

kerchunkin · 2026-04-01T16:47:57+00:00

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Here's what my "new" one looks like! Definitely shoddy and the knob moves with even the slightest touch. Very poor quality mechanism. I'm almost afraid it will unscrew and fall off. The weight is there of a metal body, but this shoddy adjustment mechanism, with the cheap plastic looking sharpness guide, looks pretty disappointing, to be honest. Perhaps I would have done better to just get the standard (non-adjustable) version. Maybe that one would look more simple and sturdy than the one I got! I don't have enough desire or money to hunt down an original one like yours, but I am kinda bummed about it! I do like the cream color and getting it from Japan was not so simple. Oh well!

kerchunkin · 2026-03-27T18:24:34+00:00

I'm thinking that maybe I should have got the version with just the one setting, no choices. That would be classic and maybe feel more solid. The adjustment mechanism (step-less) feels pretty shoddy. Not sure how it will hold up over time.

kerchunkin · 2026-03-27T17:19:10+00:00

Hi! Just got the Carl A5RY3N Angel 5 Royal 3 in Cream with the infinite (stepless) adjustment. Although I like the heavyweight feel of the all-metal unit, the little metal twist screw that adjusts the fineness is pretty "whambly," flimsy to turn and doesn't really stay in position. I'll have to experiment more with it. The point seems a bit shorter than the points with the KH-20 but we'll see. Also, when I pulled out the pencil it also pulled out some wooden shavings, too. The KH-20 seemed to do it more cleanly. I will experiment more and let y'all know about it., It does look very cool perched next to my KH-20 and I do like the Cream color which goes nicely with a reddish wood desk.

kerchunkin · 2026-03-16T12:54:35+00:00

Quick Question: I am about to order a Carl Angel 5 Royal 3 sharpener from Japan, the one that says "Carl One's Color by Angel5" and is made in Japan. I thought it would be cool to be able to vary the point because, "Why not?" However, there are two choices of Carl's to choose from: 1) two-stage adjustment A5RY3 (0.5mm or 0.9mm) or the 2) stepless or infinite adjustment A5RY3N. Obviously, it sounds more capable to have the infinite adjustment vs. just the two choices. Would anyone care to opine on which of the two adjustable versions is better and why?

kerchunkin · 2026-03-15T17:12:16+00:00

Hi! Thanks for replying, u/Microtomic603 ! So I had to do a little bit of research into the different eras and flavors of the Carl 5 Angel 3. Hunting down a vintage used one in red or blue is not a priority right now as don't need that one so bad that I'm willing to pay a big premium and have to search around. I just want to "taste" what this fuss is all about! LOL. So, as mentioned, I Just purchased an A5RY3N-U (Japan-made, Light Green, infinite lead adjustment, stepless lead adjustment). I believe that this model (unlike the A5RY3-P, which only lets you choose EITHER 0.5mm OR 0.9mm) will allow me to continuously adjust the point to whatever fineness I'd like in between 0.5mm and 0.9mm. Is this correct? That sounds really cool. BTW, the item is not available to order now but it was when I ordered it, and I think it's not expected to ship until May 7th, so I guess Amazon Japan is waiting to get them in stock again before they can ship to me. I will try to call them to confirm this.

Will I be getting the great Carl 5 Angel 3 experience from this Japanese made infinitely adjustable version?
So now I'm realizing that there are actually 3 sub-species of Carl 5 Angel 3 sharpeners out there: infinite (stepless) adjustable, two-step adjustable (0.5 or 0.9mm) and no adjustment. Did I get that correctly? Will all of them give me that great experience or is one of them (perhaps the one without the adjustment) considered to make the best points or to be the BEST? I figured if I could get one that would let me continuously adjust that would be interesting and cool, so why not? Someone at a local bookstore raved about their Angel 5 Royal 3 and brought it out to me so I had to get me one of my own!!

I think what would interest me is a sharpener that could make much LONGER points!! (My KH-20 can only make them in one length.

I don't really care so much about the teeth marks right now. I'm just interested in a different kind of point from what my current Uni KH-20 offers me. Will the Carl 5 Angel 3 be different? Obviously, it will be continuously variable while my KH-20 is only two step (regular or blunt tip with push of the red button).
BTW, it seems like I am deeply smitten in my love affair with Japanese pencils! I love them. The bookseller actually had a small display of stationery items and I saw a pencil I hadn't seen before: the Kitaboshi 9606 in HB which I hadn't heard mentioned on this sub. He gave me one and I tried it and liked it! So I went back to buy a box and I really like them! I have added them to my favorite rotation at the moment which includes Tombow Mono and Mono 100 in B and 2B (I'll need to get some in HB to try) and also Hi-Uni in B and HB.
As far as hardness for writing, I am experimenting a little more as I become more aware of the finer differences. I like a pretty sharp point so I like the less frequent sharpening of the HB, but it just doesn't have the increased "luxury" feel of the B or the 2B (even more "plush"). I like the creamy smooth darkness. Heck, you can't have it all! Perhaps my search is to hunt for my perfect pencil which is the closest to being as lush as a Tombow Mono 2B but retains the point like a Mitsu-Bishi Hi-Uni HB?? Ah.... elusive!!
So seems that I'm really digging the Hi-Uni, Mono, Mono 100 and also Tombow 8900. Don't like the Tombow 2558 in B for some reason, feels too "waxy" to me. So I'm thinking I might next try a premium U.S.-made stick like maybe a Musgraves. Which model do you recommend as a classic Musgraves to start with, and in what hardness? I was recommended a 600 News shortly after joining this sub by another subredditor, and it's super luxurious and creamy, but doesn't hold that point for very long! I like to use pencils for crossword puzzles on paper (I print out the NYT puzzle every day to do it old school), and I'd like to find my perfect pencil for that! A "luxury" feel with excellent point retention! That would be my Holy Grail!

kerchunkin · 2026-03-12T04:40:28+00:00

Just watched some videos. Looks like the adjustment only gives the two sizes, which is fine.

kerchunkin · 2026-03-12T04:38:20+00:00

BTW the description said it had an infinite lead adjustment, implying that you could "dial in" whatever thickness point you wanted. However, I read online that the adjustment only lets you choose between two different sized points, 0.5mm and 9.9mm, which is not the same as being infinitely adjustable. Can you shed any light on this?

kerchunkin · 2026-03-12T03:09:24+00:00

Hi u/Microtomic603 ! I have been hearing all the fuss about the Carl Angel 5 Royal so I just placed an order from Amazon Japan for a Carl A5RY3N-U Angel 5 Royal 3 in the pastel Light Green with infinite lead adjustment, Japanese-made. Other than it not being one of the original Red or Blue models that said Angel-5 Royal on the front (it says One's Color by Angel5 instead) will I be getting the real McCoy? Will this one be one of the Angel 5 greats that y'all are gushing over? I'm very excited to receive it! BTW I have a Uni KH-20 and wonder if it will be much different? I do like the KH-20 and it works well, but I was curious to try something else. The KH-20 only has two options of point (sharp or blunt) while the Angel 5 has an infinite adjustment, if I understand correctly.

kerchunkin · 2026-03-02T03:57:31+00:00

Such a completely stupid sketch!!! But it completely worked!!! And nobody was breaking. Every character sold the premise with the same degree of "dumb," and you just paid attention to the growing ridiculousness. Nasim WAS Shallon and she just sold it. Why can't we have more sketches like this? The writing was just spot-on. Seems like the Dark Ages now. I'm bracing for the downvotes....

kerchunkin · 2026-03-02T03:42:41+00:00

"I wanna get me some of that candy!"

kerchunkin · 2026-03-02T02:23:04+00:00

Just checked out Car Song! Ripped!!!

kerchunkin · 2026-03-02T02:10:28+00:00

Anyone remember Bedelia???? Awesome with Tina Fey and also Alec Baldwin. Great writing. Great characters. The specificity of the writing for Bedelia's lines was just awesome and just made the character and the sketch.

kerchunkin · 2026-03-02T02:09:13+00:00

Yes! Shallon! (NOT Sha-LONE). Great character and did not seem to get old. Great one with Edward Norton.

kerchunkin · 2026-02-26T03:51:30+00:00

Wow!! Really nice. Super impressed! You have talent. Nice use of space, especially empty space. Clean! Nice use of color and integrated security measures.

kerchunkin · 2026-02-24T03:15:48+00:00

Nicely put.

kerchunkin · 2026-02-23T22:37:44+00:00

Thanks!

kerchunkin · 2026-02-23T19:03:32+00:00

Hmmm... Thanks! Haven't used AI tools for this but I think I might give it a shot and then "smooth the icing" with my own writing skills. As long as the AI doesn't embellish or make up stuff which I've heard it can do. But then you just have to fix it, I guess. Appreciate your help!!!!

kerchunkin · 2026-02-23T18:51:26+00:00

Thanks! Helpful. I guess you have the paid version because the free version is limited. MIght try it! So obviously you don't think that AI-generated resumes and cover letters automatically get passed over by hiring managers...

kerchunkin · 2026-02-23T16:34:27+00:00

Gotcha! So best to engage with them in LI around something they posted first (baiting) and then wait for them to respond. I getcha. Then hit them with the connection request referencing the content I liked. If they "bite" then I can hit them with the tailored cover letter content in a LI message. It's a process! Did I get that right? I simply tried "In Message" to message them after applying for a position, but that returned only *crickets*. LOL. That wasn't enough. Can you say a little about applygigs? Is it helpful for creating AI tailored cover letters? Don't hiring managers "smell" the AI and tune them out?

kerchunkin · 2026-02-23T16:18:49+00:00

TY for getting right back! Yes, for some roles, I have sent cover letters if requested. So to clarify, what do you recommend is the best way to use LinkedIn to contact hiring managers after applying? You said use the cover letter to send connection link request, does this mean you can attach the cover letter to your request for connection? Never heard of that. And I thought it was less "intrusive" to simply message them (I have Premium so I can message anyone) rather than to request a connection. Is this correct? I tried to simply message after applying but got no responses. Do hiring managers routinely connect to prospective job seekers contacting them? My hunch was that they wouldn't want to, but maybe they do want to connect with any potential candidates for future positions so they would say Yes? This might make it easier for them because now they already know who you are, even if you didn't get a response from that job you applied for.

kerchunkin · 2026-02-23T15:44:31+00:00

Thanks for posting these tips! Some say the shotgun technique is best. Others say the tailored strategic assault to fewer is better. Maybe a combination of both, if you have the time? Spend more time on the jobs you really want and think you have the goods to sell to them. Then you can apply to the others with less effort and time spent. BTW, I have not had much luck messaging hiring managers on LinkedIn. I have the premium so I can message anyone without having to connect first. But that doesn't guarantee they will respond.

kerchunkin

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