If you hate dull knives, then there’s one thing that you need – the best pocket knife sharpener, including those we’ll be recommending in this short guide.
When talking about knife sharpeners, many of us may instantly think of bulky blocks or a huge honing rod. While they might work, if you want a portable and compact option, pocket sharpeners are your best bet.
Especially if you are an outdoor enthusiast, a pocket sharpener will come handy. It will make sure that your pocket knives will always be as sharp as possible!
How to Choose the Best Pocket Knife Sharpener
As a well-informed buyer, below are some of the most important considerations to help you narrow down the possibilities.
Size and Weight
These are two of the most important things when looking for a pocket knife sharpener. The goal is to find one that is portable enough so that you can bring it easily anywhere you go, even at the campsite. It should be lightweight and compact without compromising quality and performance.
Versatility
The best knife sharpener is one that can deliver multiple functions in a single product. This is good if you want the best bang for the buck. It must be able to sharpen all types of knife blades. Some can even be used for sharpening fishing hooks. It is good if it can also work as a survival tool.
Adjustable Angle
Speaking of adjustability, it will also be best if you pick a sharpener that comes with an adjustable angle. This means that you will be able to customize the angle of the sharpening surface depending on the type of the knife or the blade that you will be working with.
Sharpening Stages
One thing that makes pocket knife sharpeners different is the number of sharpening stages that they provide. At the minimum, it would be best to choose one that has two sharpening stages. In most cases, the first stage will be for sharpening and the second stage will be for polishing.
Abrasive Surface
The most important part of the sharpener is the abrasive surface. This is the part that touches the knife and the one responsible for sharpening. This is measured in grit. A higher grit number means that there is a finer surface.
Safety
It is also important to consider the safety features that are present in the sharpener. For instance, it should be stable and easy to grip. Otherwise, it can be prone to sliding, and you might end up hurting yourself while sharpening a knife.
Using a Pocket Knife Sharpener – Tips and Tricks
It is not enough that you invest in a good pocket knife sharpener. To fully unlock its benefits, below are some of the most important things to do.
- Check the blade’s bevel angle before you start sharpening a knife. This is important because it will determine the right angle at which you will sharpen the blade. In most pocket knives, the sharpening angle is 25 to 30 degrees.
- Clean your knife before sharpening. Use mild soap and warm water to clean the blade. If the knife is rusty, get rid of the rust first before you have it sharpened. WD-40 is one of the most effective products that can help restore the blade.
- Consider using a lubricant when using a pocket knife sharpener. Water or oil will be sufficient. This will reduce heat from the friction created by the act of sharpening. When there is too much heat, it is easy for the blades to warp.
- Test the sharpness of the knife by cutting paper. Do not touch the blade to see if it is sharp. You might end up cutting your skin. If it does not easily slide through paper, then it is a sign that you need to sharpen the blade more.
Reviews of Top 5 Picks for the Best Pocket Knife Sharpener 2020
When looking for a pocket knife sharpener, a long list of options will confront you. However, do not take this as an excuse to decide in haste. To make things easier, below are the top products that should be on your list!
#1. Smith’s PP1 Pocket Pal Multifunction Sharpener
Our favorite from the list, this pocket sharpener is built for people who have discerning preferences. It is affordable and compact, making it worthy of a spot on our recommendations.
The versatility of this pocket knife sharpener is one of its best features. It is a multifunctional tool that delivers great results regardless of the application. It comes with a tapered diamond rod, which will be useful when sharpening gut hooks. It has a carbide blade and ceramic stones, making it easy to restore the sharpness of your knife.
We love how it comes with pre-set sharpening angles, which will eliminate guesswork on your end. This will guarantee the sharpest blade possible!
If portability is your concern, then you will have another good reason to choose this product over many of its competitors. While it is a good thing that it is compact, this can be a problem for some people since it can be quite difficult to hold.
Another thing that we love about this product is the lanyard hole. This makes it easy to attach it to a string and carry it with you outdoors.
Pros:
- High-quality sharpening surface
- Has a lanyard hole
- Comes with pre-set sharpening angles
Cons:
- Can be hard to grip because of its size
- Might leave scuffs on the knife
#2. Spyderco Tri-Angle Premium Sharpmaker Set
The price of this pocket knife sharpener can discourage some people, but that should not be the case. The cost should not be an issue since the steep price is easy to justify. Despite some complaints about poor quality control, the consensus among users is that this is a great product.
Among others, we love this sharpener because it comes with two sets of high alumina ceramic stones. The brown or medium-grit stone is made for aggressive sharpening. On the other hand, the white or fine-grit stone is for professional-grade finishing.
The base of the sharpener is made of ABS plastic, which might raise durability issues on some users. It comes with a keyed hole, which is for adjusting the angle depending on what you will need when sharpening a knife.
We also like how it comes with a set of aluminum rods, which will come handy when it comes to safety. This is enough to provide you with peace of mind and prevent accidentally hurting yourself.
Curious about how it works? No need to worry since it comes with a DVD. You will receive instructional videos on how to use this product in different applications. This will come handy for those who will be using a knife sharpener for the first time.
Pros:
- Versatile
- Has two ceramic stones
- Comes with a free instructional DVD
Cons:
- Difficult to hold at the correct angle
- Durability can be an issue
#3. Lansky PS-MED01 BladeMedic
For most people who are looking for the best pocket knife sharpener, the price is a major consideration. If that’s the case, then you will be happy to know that this is a budget-friendly product. Despite being cheap, you can be confident that it does not compromise quality in any way.
More than being affordable, this is also a well-loved product because of its versatility. It may be small, but it is multifunctional, making it a great tool to have. It has carbide, ceramic, and diamond sharpeners. You can use it beyond sharpening knives.
With the tungsten carbide blade, it will take only three to four strokes to restore blade sharpness. With the ceramic edge, you will need only three to four strokes to complete the finishing. There is also a diamond tapered rod and a serrated knife sharpener.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Comes with a honing rod
- User-friendly
Cons:
- Only for light-duty applications
- Requires heavy maintenance
#4. Smith’s Tri-6 Arkansas Tri-Hone Sharpening Stones System
This knife sharpener isn’t as lightweight and compact as the two others mentioned above. Nonetheless, this does not mean that it is any less in terms of its quality and performance.
It offers multiple stone combinations, which will be great if versatility is important for you. There is a medium synthetic stone, coarse synthetic stone, and fine stone. You can use it in multiple knives while being assured of the best outcomes.
Ease of use is another good thing about this product, handling the knife sharpener will be effortless since it comes with a stable base. This is also great in terms of safety. The rubber feet will help keep it in place while you are sharpening a knife.
The angle guide that comes with the sharpener is another great feature. This will ensure precise sharpening every time it is used. You can be confident that the sharpening angle will be always right.
Pros:
- Has a solid and stable base
- Equipped with a sharpening angle guide
- Comes with two stones
Cons:
- Heavy and bulky
- Stone is prone to clogging
#5. Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener
Wrapping up our list is another versatile option for the best pocket knife sharpener. Among others, we love this product because it provides five stages for sharpening and honing. There are also built-in angle guides, which will make it easy to determine how to position the blade as you sharpen your knife.
This sharpener comes with two diamond plates. There is one coarse plate, which is for repairing and shaping. There is also a fine plate, which is what you will use for sharpening. There are also two ceramic rods. Plus, there is a leather strop. It comes with a micro-abrasive, which will be handy for finishing.
The blade edge angles will make sure that you will be sharpening knives in the proper position. You can position the blade at 20 or 25 degrees to ensure the maximum sharpness.
Pros:
- Versatile
- Has sharpening guides
- Provides five stages of sharpening and honing
Cons:
- Can wear blade down quickly
- Easily prone to scratches
Conclusion
When your knives start getting dull, it does not necessarily mean that you will need a replacement. You can still save the blade and bring it back to its full functionality. You just need to have the best pocket knife sharpener.
The best thing about a pocket knife sharpener is their size and weight. As the name implies, they are small enough to fit in your pocket. They are built for campers and outdoor enthusiasts. You can take these sharpeners anywhere!
Make the most out of your knife! Keep the blade in its perfect condition. Invest in a top-notch pocket knife sharpener!
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