Best Pocket Knife Sharpener 2021 (Great for Kitchen and Camp)

Whether you are adventurous or prefer the indoors, a pocket knife is a necessary basic survival tool. Apart from its obvious benefits when going camping, we can also use it around the house for numerous trivial tasks, including opening parcels, for instance. No matter how often you use it, your pocket knife surely loses its sharpness, so you should definitely invest in a quality pocket knife sharpener. Here are the top picks of this year and everything else you should know about these excellent products.

Our Top 10 Best Pocket Knife Sharpeners

1. Smith’s Abrasives Pocket Pal Knife Sharpener

For a compact, useful, and affordable unit, Smith’s Pocket Pal knife sharpener is an excellent choice. It boasts a sleek design, ensuring that your pocket knife remains razor-sharp, no matter the occasion.

Features

• Slim and lightweight
• Quality and durable carbide blades
• Rod is diamond-coated
• Includes a lanyard hole for easy carry

Smith’s Pocket Pal knife sharpener is one of the most popular choices among buyers. Its small footprint, portability, and durability are only a few of its main highlights.

Razor-Sharp Finish

Smith’s Pocket Pal has an excellent performance due to its quality carbide blades that ensure one of the sharpest edges you can achieve in no time. The ceramic stone also helps to have a well-defined side, and it is even useful for knives with serrated edges because of the pull-out diamond-covered rod.

Portability

This is one of the smallest sharpeners on the market. This has the benefit of always fitting in your pocket, so you do not need to worry about space issues when you go hiking or camping. Additionally, the light design boosts comfort since you will not weigh you down.

Drawback

Editor’s Note

All in all, this portable knife sharpener is the best choice if you want a lightweight item to take with you on all of your trips without being a burden.

The affordable price, durable construction, and excellent performance are the key features that make it one of the most popular items on the market right now.

2. Work Sharp EDC Pivot Plus Knife Sharpener

Work Sharp EDC is surely the runner-up if you are looking for a complex sharpening solution. It features numerous working surfaces, ideal for all applications.

Features

• Follows the curve of the knife
• Ideal for serrations
• Convex carbide
• Portable design

Work Sharp EDC is an affordable choice. Apart from this, there are a couple of distinctive features we’d like to highlight.

Ideal for Beginners

If you are still anxious about sharpening your first knife, this is the ideal tool for you. It is easy to use, sharpens the blade in no time, and the small footprint makes it easy to maneuver. Additionally, it comes with a set of clear instructions, tips, and everything you need to know about how to use it safely. The sharpener is also highly recommended to knife collectors who enjoy keeping their knives in a good shape.

Controlled Sharpening

Work Sharp EDC sharpener boasts a controlled sharpening experience due to the pivot response that follows the natural curve of the knife. This helps you attain a consistent angle and edge, perfectly sharpening the whole blade.

Editor’s Note

All in all, Work Sharp is a compact, easy to use knife sharpener that can be used on any type of knife, at any time. Whether you take it with you on your trips, keep it at home, or you have a beautiful collection you want to maintain razor-sharp, this tool helps you achieve your goals.

3. AccuSharp 001C Knife Sharpener

AccuSharp 001 boasts an ergonomic, large handle for easy handling. It is suitable for anyone and can achieve a razor-sharp knife edge in less than 10 seconds, regardless of the type of knife or cutting tool.

Features

• Blades are made of reliable diamond-honed tungsten carbide
• Protects your fingers due to the large finger guard
• Rust-resistant and easy to clean
• Sharpening blades are replaceable

AccuSharp 001C needs only a few seconds to sharpen all types of cutting tools, including pocket knives. It is easy to use and has an ergonomic handle, among others.

Quality Design

The design boasts an ergonomic, large handle that will protect your fingers when sharpening your knife. The blades are made of quality diamond-honed tungsten carbide that provides reliability and a long service time. Additionally, they are easily replaceable, so you get a sharpener for a lifetime.

Effortless and Time-Saving

It only takes 3-4 strokes to turn even the dullest blade into a razor-sharp knife. This is because of tungsten carbide which is one of the hardest materials you can find. In addition to this, the sharpening blades can be simply reversed when their performance decreases.

Drawback

Editor’s Note

All in all, the AccuSharp 001C scores as high as possible on convenience, safety, and reliability. Its affordable price point recommends it for anyone who wants a well-performing tool.

4. Lansky BladeMedic Knife Sharpener

Lansky’s BladeMedic is a beginner-friendly pocket knife sharpener. Similar to the previous pick, it offers outstanding performance with only a few strokes.

Features

• Works with any type of knife
• Made of tungsten carbide
• Only 3-4 strokes required for a finished edge
• 4-in-1 design for maximum versatility

The functionality of Lasky BladeMedic is absolutely impressive. It is a tool that can be used with ease by anyone, regardless of experience and skill.

4-in-1 Design

This product is ideal for any type of knife due to its design that is similar to an entire kit, rather than one tool, suitable for serrated or regular blades, fishing, hunting, gut hooks, and many more. The blade is quickly sharpened due to the tungsten carbide V section, followed by ceramic finishing. Another feature is the serrated knife sharpened, ideal for getting inside the tiniest serrations. Finally, the diamond-tapered rod is great for serrations and gut hooks alike.

Extra Durability

Lansky’s pocket knife sharpener sports an all-metal construction, ensuring long life and durability. Additionally, the small lanyard hole offers additional portability.

Drawback

Editor’s Note

All in all, Lansky’s pocket knife sharpener is ideal for anyone who is not well versed in knife sharpening because it only takes a few strokes to turn a dull blade into a razor-sharp one. It is easy to use, affordable, and has excellent performance.

5. Victorinox Knife Sharpener

If you are looking for a product on the premium side, look no further. Victorinox knife sharpener is created for seasoned outdoor lovers who are always on the go.

Features

• Renowned German quality
• Compact sharpener with a ceramic V-groove
• Long-lasting build
• Portable, ideal for straight blades

Lifelong Performance

Most sharpeners nowadays feature diamond-covered steel, and this wears down in time, leaving just the metal. However, this is entirely made of ceramic, which is a great aspect considering that wearing down only reveals more ceramic. This makes it a great life-long investment, especially worth every cent if you use it frequently.

Two Ceramic Sharpeners

For daily purposes, this item has a dual construction – a V-type and a stick time. As heavy as only 1.5 ounces, it comes with all the benefits of a convenient, stylish sharper. The upper part of the stone has the ideal shape to be placed on the ceramic blade, so you can have a better grip.

Drawback

Editor’s Note

The dual knife sharpener is the perfect combination of durability and quality. Victorinox is appreciated by everyone for their multi-tools and quality products. It’s the best pick if you are looking for a reliable, lightweight, and highly functional design.

6. Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker

Whether you are a first-timer, or you simply haven’t practiced enough to keep a steady angle, this product is for you. The system is extremely easy to understand and you can master it in no time!

Features

• Can be used to sharp any cutting tool
• Folds up in a portable box
• Sharpening angles already set up
• Includes complete guides and even DVD materials for beginners
• Two types of sharpening stones

The concept of this tri-angle sharpmaker is quite easy to grasp. It will give you the perfect edge you are looking for!

Steady Angles

The highlight of the product lies in its design. The blades are vertical and already angled for you, rather than lying flat. This allows you to run your knives, scissors, and anything else with an edge at the correct angle. You can choose between two different angles, ideal for all your needs.

Two Types of Stones

The sharpener features two types of stones. The coarse one is ideal to start sharpening your dull blades, and then you can use the fine, ceramic one to have a refined end result. Fortunately, you do not need to worry about safety due to the guards that will keep your fingers away from the sharpener. When you are done, you can simply fold it up in a box.

Drawback

Editor’s Note

All in all, the Spyderco is a great product if you want to maintain your knives. It folds up in a box, so it might not be as portable as other options, but it is definitely foolproof.

7. Smith’s Sharpeners Diamond Combo Bench Stone

Smith’s diamond combo bench stone has a coarse and a finer grit surface made of micron-sized monocrystalline diamonds. The innovative design makes it easy and safer than ever to sharp your pocket knife, along with any other cutting tool.

Features

• Soft and safe grip handle
• Two different stones included
• Guard to keep your thumb safe
• Reasonable price

Smith’s has strong selling points. Read below to check its highlights.

Unique Sharpening Surface

Smith’s diamond combo bench stone is designed with a unique sharpening surface. It has micron-sized monocrystalline diamonds and a unique shape that temporarily collects the metal filings while sharpening. This avoids clogging the surface and speeds up the whole process.

Improved Safety

The tool features improved safety due to the guard that aims to protect your thumb while sharpening your cutting tools. Its size also makes it ideal for sharpening different smaller tools.

Drawback

Editor’s Note

All in all, these features offer a wide range of work for this sharpener. It is what some might call a “jack of all trades”, considering its versatility.

8. Sharpal Pocket Knife Sharpener

A complex survival took, Sharpal’s 6-in-1 sharpener is the best product if you want a pocket-sized kit for your hunting, camping, and outdoor trips. Its superior sharpening performance prevents it from wearing down.

Features

• 6-in-1 design
• Portable complex survival tool
• Easy to use, even on very dull blades
• Optimum sharpening angle

Sharpal is a pocket knife sharpener that shouldn’t miss from your collection if you love the outdoors.

Survival Tool

If you spend your time outdoors hunting, camping, or hiking, this survival tool is a must. It features a tungsten carbide blade that can sharpen even the dullest knife, while the ceramic blade is ideal for refining the edges. Other features include a convenient fire starter, emergency whistle, a tapered diamond rod, and a groove in a diamond rod.

Thorough Testing

The product is tested 10,000 times to ensure performance and durability before it reaches the market. This guarantees the excellent quality of the tungsten carbide and ceramic blades.

Drawback

Editor’s Note

All in all, Sharpal 6-in-1 survival tool is a must if you go on frequent camping or hunting trips. It is affordable, versatile, and it can ease your load significantly due to the different features.

9. Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener

Another compact sharpening solution, the Work Sharp Guided Field sharpened boasts diamond plates that can be easily used and transported.

Features

• 20 degrees angle
• Coarse and fine diamond plates
• Ideal for different cutting tools
• Includes 5 stages of sharpening and honing for perfect results

Five Stages

Work Sharp tool boasts quality and durability. It has five stages of sharpening and honing. There are two diamond plates, one coarser and one finer, followed by two ceramic rods, and one leather strop. This helps you to achieve a razor-sharp edge that will last for a long time.

No Maintenance

A great highlight of this product is that you do not need to worry about its maintenance. This is because the company provides a lifetime warranty, and they also include repairs as a result of constant wear and tear.

Drawback

Editor’s Note

To sum up, this unique sharpener is angle-guided and boasts 5-stage sharpening, ideal for camping, hunting, and more. Although small, it is significantly heavier than other alternatives.

10. Gatco Carbide Pocket Sharpener

Gatco is a handy tool made of 6061-T2 structural-grade aluminum. It is not recommended for serrated blades but does excellent work on standard knives.

Features

• Set at 25 degrees angle
• Not for serrated blades
• Can easily restore very dull blades
• Features tungsten carbide blades

Gatco’s Edgemate Carbide sharpener gives a cutting edge in no time. It has a great price point and offers multiple perks.

Excellent Grip

The sharpener has a well thought out handle that allows for an excellent grip. The flat bottom also improves comfort while using it. This allows you to easily sharpen the whole blade, even if you have one of the smallest pocket knives.

Handy and Functional

If you want a sharpener that does its job flawlessly, this is the product you need. There might be more versatile products on the market, but they cannot compete with its quality, rugged design, and quality tungsten carbide blade that will last for many years to come.

Drawback

Editor’s Note

Overall, Gatco’s sharpener is the best choice if you want a functional sharpener that does only one thing, but gets a perfectly sharp edge each time. It is convenient, comfortable, and portable enough for your backpack.

Benefits of Sharp Pocket Knives

Are you wondering if a pocket knife sharpener is a vital tool or not? Nowadays, simply discarding the one we have when it is dull might make more sense since some of them are quite affordable. However, this is not always possible.

Consider the fact that there is a high chance for you to discover that your knife is way too dull exactly when you need it the most. You may be able to replace it at some point, but being into a crisis without a sharp knife can be very dangerous. This is when a knife sharpener proves its worth.

If you invested in a quality pocket knife and you are reluctant to discard it simply because it is dull, a sharpener can help you prolong its life. A dull knife has no use to you – so, you can restore it and use it, making the best of your investment.

Not many people know that a dull knife is more dangerous than a razor-sharp one. Although counterintuitive, this is because a razor-sharp might hurt you if you are not careful, but the job will be done quicker and easier, so it is less likely that your hand will slip or make a mistake. A dull knife requires extra effort to cut through the materials, so you have less control over the blade. A sharp cutting tool will make the cut smooth and quick.

What Are the Differences Between Sharpening And Honing?

Most of our products have different blades for sharpening and honing. If you are a beginner, there is a good chance that you are unsure whether or why you need these. A sharpening steel is often used for honing, but others can be made of ceramic or another diamond-coated material.

Even though they are called “sharpening” steel, it is not actually used for restoring the sharpness of your knife. When you use your pocket knife repeatedly, the edge can slightly bend. These honers aim to restore the initial shape and make it straight. This is  typical routine maintenance for all knives and frequent honing will diminish the necessity of sharpening your knife. However, a dull knife cannot get sharp if you hone it.

As a result, honing helps you maintain the straight edge of the knife. When you sharpen the blade, the metal is removed, making a new edge. When you hone it, there is no material removed, but rather sets it straight.

Tips to Use a Pocket Knife Sharpener

A pocket knife sharpener must be manual, considering that it is often used when going outdoors and you have no access to electricity. A whetstone can also be inconvenient due to its size.

The manual knife sharpener is an affordable, effortless way of keeping your pocket knife razor-sharp. It often comes with two main slots or sharpening sides: a course grit to sharpen the knife, and a finer one to polish and refine it.

In general, all you need to do is to pull the knife blade through the slot from heel to tip. Make sure you use even pressure throughout the pull to have a consistent result. Three to six times should be enough to sharpen a regular pocket knife, but more might be required if it is very dull. Once it is sharp, follow up with one or two other pulls on the finer grit.

How to Test If The Pocket Knife Is Sharp Enough

Assuming that you wisely sharpen your knife at home, before going outdoors, there are a few easy tests you can do to check if the knife is sharp enough. You can check it on a piece of paper, as a sharp knife should pierce it easily.

Another option is to test it on a tomato – a dull knife will squish the tomato before breaking the skin. Finally, you can try to cut the outer peel on an onion; a sharp knife should easily cut the first layer.

How to Clean a Pocket Knife Sharpener

Most pocket knife sharpeners come with a manual which includes cleaning instructions. If possible, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s steps. They usually advise cleaning the sharpener after each use, removing all the steel shavings. Depending on the model, you can do so using a thick damp cloth or a mild brush, but you should not rinse the sharpener with water. After cleaning, store the sharpener in a dry place.

If you notice that your sharpener does not work anymore, you should replace the blades or the stones. Some models, such as Smith’s, come with replaceable ones. Other companies might even offer a lifetime warranty that helps with maintenance and repairs due to wear down.

Safety Tips

There are a few safety tips you can follow to ensure that you will not be hurt while sharpening your pocket knife. Make sure your fingers are not exposed to the knife, and you can even put on a pair of kitchen gloves for extra safety. Always hold the knife away from your body; once you are done, make sure you remove any steel shavings from the sharpener using a dish towel or wet sponge.

Summary

This concludes our best pocket knife sharpeners of this year. They are versatile, durable, but most importantly, they offer high value for money. Just like a quality pocket knife, you should also consider investing in a sharpener that will last you for a very long time, and the options above are surely worth every cent of your hard-earned cash.