Make sure the surface you’re working on isn’t wobbly. If you slip, the blade could cut you.
Some sharpeners might use a flathead screw instead, so be ready to use one of these if you have to. If you have an eyeglass kit, the small screwdriver in that might work. If you don’t have a screwdriver, you could use something small and flat that will fit into the screw. A small paperclip, for example, could work.
Sharpener blades usually have 1 or 2 screws, so remove all of the ones that you see. Keep track of the screws you take off so you can put the sharpener back together.
Hold the sharpener close to the table so the blade doesn’t bounce when it comes out. Do not try to dig the blade out with your finger. It’s sharp and you could cut yourself. The blade will come out easily if you flip the sharpener.
Sharpening such a small blade can be difficult because it’s tough to grip. You might just want to use a fresh one from the manufacturer. In some cases, the blade just needs a quick cleaning instead of a sharpening. Try rubbing some alcohol on the blade to get rid of any gunk that’s stopping it from sharpening properly.
If the blade has more than one screw hole, make sure you line all of them up.
If the cup has pencil shavings in it, be careful and don’t spill them everywhere. Dump them into a trash can.
Keep track of the screws you remove so you can put the sharpener back together. Different sharpeners might have a different number of screws. Most have 2, but remove all of the screws you see.
Not all sharpeners have a plastic housing, so you might not have to slide yours out.
The screwdriver that fits the screws on the lid might not fit the screws on the blade, so you’ll need a different screwdriver.
