Rory,
What do you think of chalk sharpeners? I know that many tailors sharpen their chalk with their shears or a razor blade, but I've never been very good at it. I once bought a plastic chalk sharpener, but it didn't work that well, probably because it wasn't that sharp. On Instagram, there are a couple of people who make handsome wood chalk sharpeners that feature razor blades. I also saw a post by one of my former tailoring teachers in which he made one for himself, but that would be beyond my capabilities.
A student of mine from NYC sent me a chalk sharpener as a gift over the holidays. It’s my first and I am very happy with it. It will feature in the trouser making series. ‘The Handcraft Tailor’ is carved into the side of it.
Have a look at mr_mundus from London or chalksharpener from Venice on Instagram. There you can see different designs . It’s just a matter of preference
Interesting. The ones I've have two rows of blades create a V shape. The chalk is stroked over the bottom of the V.
I made one myself. Half an hour work, costs about €20
very happy with it and it isn’t to do