Knife Sharpeners for the Unskilled

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

And impatient.

Any recommendations? Our family does Christmas gift wish lists and some sort of knife sharpening system will be on mine. I've tried manual sharpening with the worksharp field sharpener and I must just be unskilled with it. Knife gets a little sharper, not a lot. Maybe a whetstone system would be better to learn on. Have multiple blade angles to sharpen to. Fillet knives, chef's knives, pocket knives, custom, etc.

Something like this worksharp system is attractive but i see a few motorized options as well. I have an amazon "pull through" motorized sharpener that I've never been impressed with.

 

[Gwchem]

The work sharp is what you're looking for, but I wouldn't trust it at first with expensive knives. It has a learning curve, so practice on cheap ones. The dust can also scratch the blade, but it's easy to just use masking tape.

 

[cornfedkiller]

I too am very unskilled with a manual knife sharpener, including one like the worksharp system you linked, but I got the “regular” worksharp with the belt a few years ago and my knives come out scary sharp in no time. I believe the Ken Onion or whatever they call it version has multiple angle options.

 

[Warmsy]

You have to practice to attain the skills and be patient. Ain't no way around it. Even if you get the fancy guided sharpener you have to learn what's going on and what makes it sharp. Take it to a farmer's market there's probably a guy that sharpens knives for a small fee.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

The work sharp is what you're looking for, but I wouldn't trust it at first with expensive knives. It has a learning curve, so practice on cheap ones. The dust can also scratch the blade, but it's easy to just use masking tape.

This. Be careful with sharp tipped knives. You can easily ruin the tip with it. However, with some practice, you can get $2 knives as sharp as razors.

 

[tony]

Spyderco Sharp maker, little learning curve with it.
https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=77 ( find it cheaper)

I also have these

Guided Field Sharpener

The ultimate companion for those seeking razor-sharp edges in the great outdoors. Engineered with precision and packed with features, this sharpener ensures optimal blade performance wherever you roam. Angle guides create a consistent 20° edge on coarse and fine grit diamond plates, with 25°...

www.worksharptools.com

This one for the money is great for quick touch ups, sharpening the kitchen knives is what I use it for.

Pivot™ Knife Sharpener

The fastest, easiest and most affordable way to get your knife sharp and back into service. Breathe new life into your blades with the Convex-Carbide® sharpening stage and fine ceramic hone. Simply place your knife in the slot and pull. Within a few strokes you can get your knife back to cutting...

www.worksharptools.com

I get decent results with all 3.
I would like one of the worksharp motor units. I've heard you can dick up a blade pretty easy thought

 

[gentleman4561]

Another vote for the Spyderco Sharpmaker, I too am not that skilled at sharpening and manage to get knives plenty sharp with the sharp maker.

 

[MTPipeliner]

I’ve used the spyderco one mentioned above and liked it- used it at a relatives house on their really dull knives and was able to get them sharp again- wasn’t real fast but it worked pretty well.

I have a set from smiths what works pretty good - similar to this one- https://www.scheels.com/p/027925505...MI_t_PjaDJiQMV0gKtBh1EJiP4EAQYDiABEgKUV_D_BwE

 

[survivalistd]

They all have a learning curve for sure. I now use a hapstone R2 with shapton glass 1x6 stones. Very happy with this set up.

 

[Jpsmith1]

Are you using a sharpie with your worksharp?

The first step is to color the bevel with a sharpie and adjust your angle until a fine stone removes the sharpie cleanly

Now, drop back to your coarser stones, work the edges to build a burr, flip the burr and burr the other bevel.

NOW your edge is apexed. Work in successively finer grits to refine that edge.

I'd be happy to PM, email, text or talk to you to help you get your system working for you. I do sharpening as a side gig and I'm pretty good at it.

 

[MallardSX2]

When we are butchering our deer, one of these is on the table at all times. Everyone knows how to use it. It creates a really sharp knife, really fast, for anyone. I don’t care if it removes too much metal as some people say. I’ll just buy another knife…

Also, I use this to bring life back to havalon blades all the time.

 

[torrey.harris.5]

Warthog Knife Sharpeners - VSharp Warthog Sharpeners - Home

Shop V-Sharp Warthog Knife Sharpeners. The best knife sharpeners for the kitchen, your workshop, or the great outdoors. Get the V-Sharp Classic II now!

warthogusa.com

Love my two


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[rodney482]

100% worksharp

 

[GunsAreFun]

When we are butchering our deer, one of these is on the table at all times. Everyone knows how to use it. It creates a really sharp knife, really fast, for anyone. I don’t care if it removes too much metal as some people say. I’ll just buy another knife…

Also, I use this to bring life back to havalon blades all the time.

View attachment 787448

Do you use any different process for the havalons? I tried to sharpen them but couldn’t get a great edge compared to what I could do with my other knives, certainly nowhere near how sharp they are new.

 

[nobody]

As mentioned above, Spyderco sharpmaker. Simple and effective, and not too expensive. Just don’t let your knife get super dull and it’ll never take long. I touch my EDC up weekly in about 45 seconds on my sharpmaker and can easily shave hairs when I’m done.

Or, just buy one of these and never have to worry about sharpening again:

Amazon.com

 

[Gwchem]

When we are butchering our deer, one of these is on the table at all times. Everyone knows how to use it. It creates a really sharp knife, really fast, for anyone. I don’t care if it removes too much metal as some people say. I’ll just buy another knife…

Also, I use this to bring life back to havalon blades all the time.

View attachment 787448

That's my opinion as well. Knives are tools. I don't care what they look like, but I'm not interested in having them be dull. I can do ten kitchen knives, my hunting and pocket knives, in less than two hours. I just do the whole house every few months.

 

[Marble]

And impatient.

Any recommendations? Our family does Christmas gift wish lists and some sort of knife sharpening system will be on mine. I've tried manual sharpening with the worksharp field sharpener and I must just be unskilled with it. Knife gets a little sharper, not a lot. Maybe a whetstone system would be better to learn on. Have multiple blade angles to sharpen to. Fillet knives, chef's knives, pocket knives, custom, etc.

Something like this worksharp system is attractive but i see a few motorized options as well. I have an amazon "pull through" motorized sharpener that I've never been impressed with.

I've been using a spyderco sharpener for 35+ years. I saw the workshop, got one, and didn't like it at all. I had the same experience. Total waste of money compared to the spyderco.

Spyderco got my knife sharper, faster, and easier.

I do not like motorized versions.

I've never seen a pull through sharpener that gets a knife hair shaving sharp.

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