Best Hunting Knife Sharpeners

Maintaining the sharpness of a hunting knife is essential for any outdoorsman. A well-sharpened knife ensures efficiency and safety, whether you’re field dressing game, preparing camp meals, or performing any task that requires a knife. Over time, even the best hunting knives can lose their edge, making a reliable sharpener an indispensable tool. This guide aims to provide an unbiased and comprehensive review of the best hunting knife sharpeners available, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right sharpener for your needs.

Importance of a Sharp Hunting Knife

Before getting into the intricacies of knife sharpeners, it’s important to understand why keeping a sharp hunting knife is so important. A sharp knife not only speeds up work but also assures precision and safety. Dull knives can slide and cause accidents and avoidable injury. A well-sharpened hunting knife also reduces the time and effort required for chopping, slicing, and carving, which makes it an important instrument in the woods.

Types of Hunting Knife Sharpeners

Exploring the various types of hunting knife sharpeners is crucial for maintaining the edge and performance of your blades. This section delves into the primary categories, including electric sharpeners, known for their speed and efficiency, manual sharpeners, which offer precision and control, and pocket sharpeners, ideal for on-the-go touch-ups. Each type has unique benefits tailored to different preferences and sharpening needs, whether you’re looking for quick maintenance, detailed edge care, or portability for field use. Understanding these options will help you select the best sharpener to keep your hunting knife razor-sharp and ready for any task.

Manual Sharpeners

These are portable equipment that allow you to sharpen your hunting knife manually. Sharpening stones, honing rods, and pull-through sharpeners are all available in a variety of styles. Manual sharpeners provide control and accuracy, making them ideal for people who are already familiar with sharpening processes.

Electric Sharpeners

Electric sharpeners are automated equipment that sharpen blades more quickly and consistently. They are great for people who are inexperienced with hand sharpening processes. Electric sharpeners sometimes include many sharpening stages to produce varying degrees of sharpness.

Sharpening Kits

Sharpening devices like stones of varied grits, honing oils, and guides are often included in these packages. Sharpening kits are adaptable, allowing customers to experiment with various processes and sharpness levels.

Top Five Best Hunting Knife Sharpeners

Personal tastes, the sorts of knives you own, and your sharpening capabilities all play a role in determining the top hunting knife sharpeners. However, I may recommend the following five highly respected solutions, each with its unique set of benefits:

Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition Knife Sharpener:

• Description: The Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition is a precise and versatile electric knife sharpener. It was built in partnership with knifemaker Ken Onion, who is well-known for his ability to create high-quality blades. To guarantee optimal sharpening, this sharpener employs abrasion belts of varied grits. The movable sharpening angle enables you to acquire the appropriate edge geometry for various knife types.
• Advantages: The variable speed settings and customizable sharpening angles provide a lot of versatility. Because the belt system conforms to the contour of the blade, it is appropriate for conical or wavy edges. It’s very useful for reshaping and recovering fractured blades.
• Price Range: Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition usually costs between $130 and $150, contingent upon specials and bundle packages.

Lansky Deluxe 5-Stone Sharpening System:

• Description: The Lansky Deluxe 5-Stone Sharpening System is a manual sharpening gadget that produces reliable results. It has a clamp-style guide to guarantee the proper sharpening angle. The set comes with five sharpening hones of varied grits, ranging from coarse for reshaping to extremely fine for finishing and honing.
• Advantages: The regulated angle guide ease sharpening and makes it appropriate for novices. The range of grits enables a full sharpening evolution, from fixing broken edges to enhancing and retaining sharpness.
• Price Range: The Lansky Deluxe 5-Stone Sharpening System typically costs between $40 and $70, depending on the bundle and other accessories.

Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker:

• Description: The Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker is a manual sharpening method that focuses on ease of use and efficiency. It comes with a set of ceramic triangle stones with pre-set sharpening angles. The stones are intended to be turned simply for a new sharpening surface.
• Advantages: The Sharpmaker’s design assures constant angles without requiring complicated processes. It’s small and simple to use, making it appropriate for both new and skilled users.
• Price Range: The Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker costs between $88 and $127, depending on the bundle and availability.

Chef’s Choice 15 Trizor XV EdgeSelect Electric Knife Sharpener:

• Description: The Chef’s Choice 15 Trizor XV is a professional-grade electric knife sharpener that converts typical factory edges with a 20-degree angle into exceptionally well Trizor XV edges with a 15-degree angle. It uses diamond abrasives for preliminary sharpening, flexible abrasive stropping plates for honing, and proprietary polishing plates for a razor-sharp edge in three separate phases.
• Advantages: The Trizor XV technology creates razor-sharp and long-lasting edges appropriate for an array of knives. The three-stage technique assures effective sharpening and polishing, and the accuracy of the angle guides make it easy to use even for inexperienced users.
• Price Range: The Chef’s Choice 15 Trizor XV sharpener usually costs between $130 and $160, based on the model and any current discounts.

Buck Knives EdgeTek Dual Grit Pocket Stone:

• Description: Buck Knives EdgeTek Dual Grit Pocket Stone is a portable and convenient manual sharpening option. It has two sharpening surfaces: one with a coarse diamond grit for first sharpening and mending and one with an ultra-fine diamond grit for finishing and honing the edge.
• Advantages: The dual-grit feature offers flexibility, letting you to go from coarse to fine sharpening eliminating the need for numerous devices. Because of its small size, it is suitable for usage outdoors or as a rapid touch-up tool. Diamond abrasives are well-known for their longevity and efficacy.
• Price Range: The Buck Knives EdgeTek Dual Grit Pocket Stone is usually priced between $20 and $40, making it an affordable alternative for individuals looking for a compact sharpening solution.

Considerations When Choosing a Knife Sharpener

Sharpening Angle: The angle formed between the blade and the sharpening surface is known as the sharpening angle. Sharpening various knives requires different angles. Some sharpeners have set angles, while others may be adjusted. It is critical to select a sharpener that is appropriate for the sort of hunting knife you possess.

Grit Levels: Sharpening stones and abrasives are classified according to their grit level, which determines the coarseness of the sharpening surface. Lower grit levels (for example, 200-800) are used to fix injured edges, whereas higher grit levels (for example, 1000 and beyond) are used to refine and polish the edge. A sharpener with several grit settings provides flexibility.

Ease of Use: Depending on your degree of expertise and convenience, you may pick a sharpener that is simple to use and does not necessitate complex procedures. Electric sharpeners are often easier to operate, although manual sharpeners may take a bit more time to master.

Durability and Quality: Purchasing a high-quality sharpener is critical for use for a long time. Choose sharpeners constructed of long-lasting materials that can sustain repeated sharpening operations.

Portability: If you enjoy hunting, you may wish to consider bringing a portable sharpener with you on your outdoor outings. Lightweight and portable designs are very effective for this.

Additional Features: Some sharpeners have other functionality like honing and jagged edge sharpening. These qualities may be useful depending on the sort of hunting knives you have.

Conclusion

Selecting the right hunting knife sharpener enhances your outdoor experience and ensures your knife remains in peak condition. The best sharpener for you depends on various factors, including the type of knives you own, your sharpening skill level, and your specific needs. Remember, the correct technique and practice are crucial to achieving the best results. It’s advisable to consult the sharpener’s manual and practice on less valuable knives before sharpening your hunting knife.

Prices and availability may vary, so consider your requirements, skill level, and the type of knives you have when making a decision. Ensuring your hunting knife remains sharp and effective is paramount, and the right sharpener is key to achieving this.

In the realm of hunting and outdoorsmanship, the ability of a knife to retain its edge is invaluable. Brands like Noblie Custom Knives design their hunting knives with high-quality steel that demands less frequent sharpening, underscoring the importance of selecting a sharpener that not only suits your immediate needs but also preserves the longevity and effectiveness of your blades.

Author: Braide Honest | Connect with me on LinkedIn

References:

Why are sharp knives important? (n.d.) Koi Knives.   

Why do I need a hunting knife? What makes them different? (n.d.) Heinnie Haynes.

Contributor, G. (2023)  Ultimate Guide On Sharpening Hunting Knives.  Miss Pursuit – For Women Who Love to Hunt and Get Outdoors.

Ken Onion Edition Knife & Tool Sharpener  (2023) Work Sharp Sharpeners.

Lansky Sharpeners Deluxe 5-Stone System  [Link].

Tri-Angle Sharpmaker®  – Spyderco, Inc. (n.d.) Spyderco.

Chef’s Choice by EdgeCraft (n.d.)  chefschoice.com

Buckknives.com. (2023) EdgeTek Dual Flat Pocket Stone Knife Sharpener