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Modern knives boast some of the best steel and edge retention in history, but every blade eventually needs maintenance. Knife sharpening can be tedious and has a bit of a learning curve. However, there is no need to feel intimidated. Some practice and the right tools can make the job much easier and more enjoyable.
The right system can also extend the life of each blade, even if it is heavily used daily for EDC. Some sharpeners may be an investment, but they will save money in the long run. With that in mind, we set out to find the best knife sharpening systems available today.
Key Considerations
In searching out the best knife sharpening systems, we wanted to find options beyond just a traditional whetstone. That meant the system had to have specific features that aided the sharpening process. More specifically, I looked for these features:
- Stone Grits: Coarse grits help put an edge on a dull blade. Fine grits help hone and remove burrs. I specifically looked for systems that offered a variety for every sharpening scenario.
- Price: Not everyone can afford a $150–$400 sharpener. Subsequently, I tried to find sharpeners that covered every price point.
- Angles: I wanted systems that could cover the basic angles. However, I also wanted to find adjustable sharpeners to cover a gamut of blade angles. The more adjustability, the better.
- Other Features: Sharpeners with extra features such as clamps and guide arms for the stones remove the guesswork. These features ensure that the stones are at the same angle every single time.
Top Picks
- Best Overall: Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker
- Best Budget: Lansky Universal Sharpening System
- Best for a Pocket Knife: Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener
- Best for Beginners: Work Sharp Precision Adjust
- Best for Professionals: Wicked Edge Gen 4
- Best Electric: Work Sharp Ken Onion Elite Mk.2
Best Overall: Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker
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There is a reason the Spyderco Tri-Angle sharpener has been a bestseller since 1976. It simply works. I’ve used this no-frills sharpening system for the last five years. It’s my go-to for most scenarios, mainly because it takes just seconds to set up. Open the case, pop in the stones and hand guards, and start sharpening. All the user needs to do is hold the blade vertically. It doesn’t get much simpler than that. This system has excellent longevity. The stones will last for years before needing replacing. Spyderco offers an upgrade to a diamond stone for even more efficiency. I love how I need minimal storage space for this sharpener. I’ve misplaced it a few times because it’s so compact, with all the components fitting into the base.
The unique triangle stones mean that this sharpener is compatible only with Spyderco replacements. It’s also a bit limited to those two angles I mentioned earlier. However, given that this sharpener is compatible with nearly every blade I own, I don’t think it’s a deal-breaker.
Best Budget: Lansky Universal Sharpening System
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The Lansky Universal is another classic sharpening system with an affordable price point. It is essentially a poor man’s angle sharpener. It isn’t quite as sophisticated as other angle sharpeners, but it does take the guesswork out of the equation. Clamp the blade, pick the angle, and run the stone over the edge to shape it. Lansky includes four different grits standard with the Universal kit.
The clamp used in this system can be a bit tricky, especially with smaller blades. Subsequently, this sharpener is slightly more time-consuming than some of the other options out there. However, at this price point, it’s an excellent starting point, especially since the system can be expanded. Lansky sells other grit stones at highly affordable prices. That makes it easy to refine the sharpening process with this kit as each user’s skills advance.
Best for a Pocket Knife: Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener
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Pocket knives see a ton of use, especially EDC blades. It’s extremely helpful to have a small, portable sharpener for quick touch-ups. The Guided Field Sharpener is perfect for that. It has 20- and 25-degree angle guides, which are perfect for most pocketknives. The coarse diamond abrasive will quickly put a burr on any blade. After that, it’s easy to use the ceramic rod, fine diamond, and leather strop to remove it. This sharpening system weighs less than 5 ounces. We like it for hunters and craftsmen who need something light and portable. It’s well-constructed, too. One of these will last through years of use and abuse.
Our only criticism is that it isn’t a precision-quality sharpener. Don’t expect a hair-popping edge with this one. However, it is plenty capable of reattaching a working blade in a pinch. In our minds, it’s the perfect companion to any pocket knife.
Best for Beginners: Work Sharp Precision Adjust
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One of the easiest ways for beginners to give their knives a solid edge is to use an angle sharpener. Work Sharp has produced one of the most affordable systems available in the Precision Adjust. The clamp system makes it easy to lock the knife down and then hit the same angle repeatedly. Two diamond stones are included that will quickly restore the edge on neglected knives. However, the main reason I like this one for beginners is that there is room to grow. Work Sharp has a dedicated upgrade kit with even more stone grits and a leather strop. Once a beginner has the basics down, it’s easy to graduate to the next steps.
This sharpener will not usually give a knife a hair-popping edge, but it will bring new life to old blades. I like the upgrade kit's versatility for honing and treating serrations. For the price point, this is an excellent place to start for anyone new to sharpening.
Best for Professionals: Wicked Edge Gen 4
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The Wicked Edge precision sharpeners are excellent, but the Gen 4 Pro features the most quality-of-life improvements. It has an incredibly intuitive adjustment system that allows users to set the angle between 12 and 28 degrees. There won’t be many knives this system cannot sharpen. The highest-end models feature micro-adjustments down to 0.05 degrees. This sharpener can be perfectly dialed into even the most unusual blades. This version also locks down the angle better than previous models. Wicked Edge did its homework on issues noticed by users with the Gen 3 model. They redesigned the joints for the guide rods. There is less play in these, and they move more easily without wiggling, making it simple to repeat the same motion.
The main drawback to this system is that it costs $1,000–$1,500 depending on the extra features. This system is not for everyone. Additionally, it does have a bit of a learning curve. Learning the motion of the dual guide rods takes a little practice. However, this is an excellent sharpener for professionals who need hair-popping precision on their blades whenever they retouch them.
Best Electric: Work Sharp Ken Onion Elite Mk.2
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Work Sharp’s newest Ken Onion sharpener is the easiest sharpening system I’ve ever used. It is essentially two sharpeners in one. I found the standard cassette sharpener to be the definition of simplicity. Set the angle and pull the blade across the belt. I was able to put a burr on any knife quickly with this one. I had a few knives that had been dull for years that were quickly ripping paper and cardboard in only ten minutes. This system comes with a ton of belts, which makes it easy to get started quickly. I also appreciate the fact they are incredibly cheap.
I found the blade grinding attachment faster, although it took a little more practice. I recommend starting with a junk blade, as it is easy to damage a knife with this one. However, it’s a huge bonus that this sharpener will work for tools, including scissors. The controls are all easy and intuitive. Work Sharp has some stellar instruction manuals and videos for this thing. I can’t say that for every knife sharpening product I’ve tested.
How To Choose The Best Knife Sharpening Systems
The adage that dull knives are more dangerous than sharp ones continues to ring true. Most people have accidents when they apply too much leverage to work through a material. The key is to let the knife do the work. Having a sound sharpening system is part of knife ownership.
The right system does more than restore an edge to a blade. It helps extend the life of the knife and protects expensive investments. One key thing to keep in mind is practice. Whether using a simple whetstone or a high-end angle sharpener, there is a learning curve. Getting skilled at sharpening isn’t a skill that one learns overnight. With that in mind, here are some critical features for any sharpening system.
Angle Guides
Most users who are experienced in knife sharpening don’t like to use guides. However, this is a handy feature for newbies because it eliminates guesswork when determining a 25-degree angle vs. a 20-degree one. Sharpening is often about muscle memory and movement. Guides can help build that memory, but they aren’t an absolute necessity. I do recommend them for newbies because they can protect the knife against damage while learning the basics.
Adjustability
Anyone who owns a lot of knives needs the ability to sharpen at multiple angles. Ideally, the sharpening system should be able to shift from one angle to the next in seconds. It gets frustrating when these adjustments are complicated. Any system that uses clamps to steady the blade should also be adjustable. Some knives will have thicker blades than others, and others might be tapered in width. The sharpener should be able to adjust to these differences seamlessly.
Features
We’ve already mentioned most of the major features. However, it’s a nice bonus if a sharpening system has bonus attachments. Some sharpeners feature extra guide attachments for scissors or coarser grits for tools like camp axes. Electric sharpeners with adjustable speeds for different tools are incredibly helpful. Some sharpeners are tricky to use with smaller pen knives or keychain knives. Having clamps or small tables capable of holding the blades makes sharpening these blades much easier.
Why Trust Us
I’ve been sharpening knives for most of my life. Over the course of ten years covering knives professionally, I’ve tested many sharpeners on various steel and blade types. This helped me learn what features are good in sharpeners and which are bad. I’ve used some sharpeners that were pure junk. None of those products made it into this article.
Final Thoughts
The best guided knife sharpening system can extend the life of any blade and make tedious resharpening easier. Although many of the options here are great, the Spyderco Tri-Angle sharpener is my favorite. It may not be the most complicated system on this list. However, it delivers excellent value and functionality. Some designs never go out of style, and the Tri-Angle is one of them. My second favorite is the Work Sharp Ken Onion Mk.2 for its versatility and ease of use.
FAQs
Q: What is the best knife sharpening method?
A: The best way to give a knife a hair-popping edge is with a traditional whetstone. After that, precision angle sharpeners are the next best method. This is because the sharpener uses a fixed arm to grind material off at the same angle every time. The knife never moves, ensuring a precision edge.
Q: Are pull-through knife sharpeners any good?
A: In my experience, they are not. Most knife enthusiasts agree with this sentiment. These sharpeners can restore a knife's edge, but it won’t last as long as other methods. In worst-case scenarios, pull-through sharpeners can permanently damage a knife.
Q: Can you ruin a knife by sharpening it too much?
A: Yes. Material is removed every time a knife is sharpened. When a knife is used and sharpened frequently, the blade starts to wear down. I’ve seen photos of hunting knives passed down over multiple generations that gradually got shorter over time. Although a good knife can easily last a lifetime, it will break down if worked too hard for too long.
