Compiled from 8 sources; we haven't tested this product ourselves yet. How we research
Quick answer
The CARL Angel-5 Grand is CARL's top steel hand-crank pencil sharpener, made in Japan. It comes as the Conic (A5GRC), which cuts a straight cone for coloring and drawing, or the Sharp (A5GRS), which cuts a bowed point for small handwriting. Both have a stepless point adjuster from about 0.5 to 0.9 mm and weigh 540 g.
On this page10 sections
The Angel-5 Grand from the crank side, 124 × 132 mm (drawn at 1 mm = 1.6 px; details by eye).
Product facts
Product
CARL Angel-5 Grand Conic hand-crank pencil sharpener (A5GRC)
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Notes on these facts
Made by CARL Office Machines Co., Ltd. (カール事務器株式会社), Japan. Made in Japan: Yodobashi's A5GRC listing gives 生産国：日本 (country of production: Japan) and CARL's copy there calls it a Made in JAPAN sharpener. CARL Japan's A5GRC page names a Japanese-made blade, and its Grand Sharp (A5GRS) page lists the sharpener as made in Japan. 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 = CZK 21.7; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).
Key takeaways
Two versions with one body: the Conic (A5GRC) cuts a straight cone and the Sharp (A5GRS) a slightly bowed "sharp line".
A stepless adjuster sets the lead tip from about 0.5 mm to 0.9 mm, per CARL Japan.
CARL lists it at 124 × 73 × 132 mm (4.9 × 2.9 × 5.2 in) and 540 g (1.19 lb); 600 g boxed.
Japan list price ¥4,400 (about US$28) including tax, in blue or red.
Yodobashi lists Japan as the country of production for both versions, and CARL calls the blade Japanese-made.
What is the CARL Angel-5 Grand?
It’s the top model of CARL’s Angel-5 hand-crank desk sharpeners: a Japanese-made steel sharpener with a stepless point adjuster and a choice of two point shapes. CARL International calls it “CARL’s Ultimate Masterpiece Sharpener”.
The Angel-5 line has a following among pencil users; The Gentleman Stationer says the plain Angel-5 has a cult following for its long point. Its one complaint was that the point couldn’t be adjusted, which the Grand fixes.
Conic or Sharp: which Grand should you buy?
Buy the Conic (A5GRC) for coloring, drawing and bolder writing, and the Sharp (A5GRS) for small handwriting. CARL’s copy says the Conic cuts a straight “conic line” suited to Latin script, painting and coloring, while the Sharp cuts a slightly bowed “sharp line” that makes small characters easier to write.
According to CARL, every earlier Angel-5 cut the sharp line, so the Conic is the new shape. Our best pencil sharpeners roundup picks the Conic for colored pencils.
The two finishes and the adjuster range, drawn in proportion.
How does the stepless adjuster work?
You turn the point-adjusting knob to any setting between a fine and a blunt tip; CARL Japan gives about 0.5 mm and about 0.9 mm as the ends. The figures describe the thickness of the lead tip, not the pencil.
The fine end suits detailed lines. The blunt end leaves a sturdier tip that breaks less with soft grades, such as a Blackwing 602 or a soft Mars Lumograph.
Size, weight, adjuster range, colors and JAN codes are CARL Japan’s, matched by CARL International and Yodobashi; CARL Japan’s catalogue corrected the boxed weight from 590 g to 600 g. Yoseka’s listed 12.8 × 13.6 × 7.6 cm matches the box, not the sharpener. A search snippet of CARL Japan’s Sharp page showed ¥4,840 (about US$31) including tax; Yodobashi’s list price is ¥4,400 (about US$28) for both, which we use.
How does the Grand compare with the Classic and the Royal 3?
The Grand is the only current Angel-5 in Japan with an adjustable point, and the only one made in Japan.
Angel-5 Grand
Angel-5 Classic
Angel-5 Royal 3
Point
Stepless, about 0.5–0.9 mm
Fixed
2 steps: 0.5 or 0.9 mm
Chuck
Resin
Metal (leaves marks)
Not stated
Weight
540 g
450 g
484 g
Japan list price
¥4,400 (about US$28)
¥2,750 (about US$17)
Discontinued
Made in
Japan
China
Japan
The Angel-5 Classic is the cheaper fixed-point model. The Angel-5 Royal 3 had two settings but is on CARL Japan’s discontinued list with no successor named, which leaves the Grand as the adjustable option.
Is the Grand built to last?
CARL designs it to: the handle is metal, and CARL offers repairs. Its copy says the handle, the part most often broken in a fall, is sturdy metal, a hand crank has no electrics to fail, and the Japanese blade cuts smoothly and lasts.
CARL Japan’s FAQ still warns that colored pencils and soft, dark grades can be over-sharpened or break, because their cores are soft. Set the adjuster toward the blunt end for those.
Where is the Angel-5 Grand made?
In Japan: Yodobashi lists Japan as the country of production for both the Conic and the Sharp. CARL’s copy calls it a Made in JAPAN sharpener with a Japanese-made blade, and its Japanese Grand Sharp page lists the sharpener as made in Japan.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Angel-5 Grand Conic and Grand Sharp?
Only the finish. The Conic (A5GRC) cuts a straight cone that CARL suits to slightly bolder writing, Latin script, painting and coloring; the Sharp (A5GRS) cuts a slightly bowed point for small handwriting. Size, weight, adjuster and price are the same.
How do you adjust the point on the Angel-5 Grand?
Turn the point-adjusting knob. CARL Japan says the adjuster is stepless, from about a 0.5 mm fine lead tip to about a 0.9 mm blunt one.
How big is the Carl Angel-5 Grand?
CARL lists it at 124 × 73 × 132 mm, about 4.9 × 2.9 × 5.2 in, and 540 g (1.19 lb). Boxed, CARL Japan gives 128 × 76 × 136 mm and 600 g.
Is the Angel-5 Grand made in Japan?
Yes. Yodobashi lists Japan as the country of production for both the Conic and the Sharp, and CARL says the blade is Japanese-made too.
Which Angel-5 Grand is best for colored pencils?
The Conic. CARL describes its straight cone as suited to painting and coloring, and setting the adjuster toward its blunt end leaves a sturdier tip. CARL Japan's FAQ still warns that soft colored cores can break.
Does the Angel-5 Grand hold round pencils?
Yes. CARL Japan says its resin chuck grips well and holds pencils that aren't hexagonal, and Yoseka lists hexagonal, triangular and round pencils.
How much is the Carl Angel-5 Grand?
¥4,400 (about US$28) including tax in Japan, per CARL Japan and Yodobashi. US importers charge more; we put it in the $20–75 band.
