"I like to sharpen my pencils in the morning. All of them, so they are nice and sharp. Some I sharpen with a sharpener and some with a knife. I need to get them just right. It takes a little while, but I find that is a good time to talk to your pencils and discuss what you are going to do for the day. And what you expect of them. That way there is no surprises and they are less likely to fight with you." - explodingdog