Abstract: A sharpener for sharpening an end of a writing stick by inserting the writing stick into the sharpener in a retentive or friction locking manner and rotating the sharpener and writing stick relative to each other, the sharpening of the writing stick generating waste material. The sharpener includes a sharpener body having an insertion end with an opening for receiving the end of the writing stick and a longitudinal axis extending through the opening. A sharpening blade is mounted on the body with its cutting edge arranged at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body. A chip collecting cap has an interior wall and is mounted on the body for enclosing an end of the body remote from the insertion end.