There are two sharpening ports:one for trimming down the wood around the pencil lead and the other for sharpening the lead itself.  Always sharpen the wood first then sharpen the pencil lead second.  In this way you can achieve a very sharp tip.  This pencil sharpener comes with extra blades that are stored in the back of the sharpener.  The blades are made of high quality stainless steel.  Made in Germany.