Best Pocket Knife Sharpener
There is nothing worse than going to use your pocket knife while you’re out in the backcountry only to find it’s as blunt as a butter knife. Not only is it frustrating but your handy pocket knife suddenly becomes unsafe to use.
A sharp knife is a safe knife, and most of all cutting accidents happen when forcing a blunt blade through a cutting job. So, how do you avoid ever having a dull blade? By having the best pocket knife sharpener.
At A Glance: Our Top 3 Pocket Knife Sharpeners
- Best Allrounder Lansky PS-MED01 Blade Medic
- Best On A Budget Smith's CCKS 2-Step Knife Sharpener
- Best Whetstone Fallkniven Diamond/Ceramic Whetstone
Today we’re going to run through the best pocket knife sharpeners on the market. They’re all light, portable, and will ensure you never have a dull pocket knife again so you can work safely in the outdoors.
Top Product Overview
 | Best Allrounder
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 | Best On A Budget
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 | Best Whetstone
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Best Pocket Knife Sharpener
Lansky PS-MED01 Blade Medic
The Lansky PS-MED01 Blade Medic pocket knife sharpener comes with every sharpening surface you could ask for all tucked neatly away in an aluminum shell.
This pocket knife sharper features carbide, ceramic, and diamond sharpeners so that you can restore a blade and sharpen any knife type from a gut hook to a serrated knife.
The carbide and ceramic sharper for non-serrated blades have a pre-defined angle so that you can hone your edge with ease. While the diamond rod is there for all blade types.
This pocket knife sharpener may not give you a chef-sharp blade but it does more than enough when you’re in the wilderness.
The only negatives are that the diamond surface wears out quite fast. Otherwise, it’s a super durable, portable, corrosion-resistant sharpener that will last.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight for portability
- Durable long-lasting corrosion-resistant build
- Comes with all sharpening types
- Will repair blades and sharpen quickly
- Works with both straight and serrated blades
Cons
- Won't give you the sharpest edge
- Diamond surface wears out quite fast
Product Information
- Type: Carbide, ceramic, and diamond
- Weight: 4 oz
- Dimensions: 8.5 x 3.5 x 0.13 inches
- Base Material: Aluminum
Smith's CCKS 2-Step Knife Sharpener
The Smith’s CCKS 2-Step Knife Sharpener is about as portable and affordable as a pocket knife sharpener can get. Plus being made by Smith’s means you can rely on it.
The sharpener features a carbide and ceramic sharpening surface within synthetic plastic/rubber housing. It’s tiny overall and weighs just 1.6 oz, but thankfully it’s bright yellow so you can always find it in your backpack.
Both the sharpening surfaces are pre-set with sharpening angles for consistent results and they both work very well. The carbide sharper will set your edge quickly and easily while the ceramic hone it into a sharp edge.
The outside has rubber feet for a non-slip safe sharpening experience and the edges are texture so your finger can get a good grip.
The only issues with this knife sharpener are that the carbide surface will remove part of the blade when you use it, and it doesn’t work for serrated blades.
Pros
- Lightweight and compact for portability
- Non-slip for safe sharpening
- Preset sharpening angles for good results
- Simple, effective, and easy to use
- Bright color for finding it in your backpack
Cons
- Carbide sharpener removes a small part of the blade
- Not for serrated blades
Product Information
- Type: Carbide & Ceramic
- Weight: 1.6 oz
- Dimensions: 0.88 x 2.71 x 2.33 inches
- Base Material: Plastic
Fallkniven Diamond/Ceramic Whetstone
Many a chef or serious knife user likes their edges as sharp and possible and swear by using a whetstone. If you’re one of those people, then this is the knife sharper for you.
The Fallkniven Diamond & Ceramic Whetstone pocket knife sharpener is made up of whetstone and a leather pouch but it’s not heavy like you might expect, weighing just 1.92 oz, so you’ll barely notice it in your pack.
The whetstone surface is made of a mixture of 25-micron diamond and synthetic sapphire ceramic. These two materials, another they get worn, will hold their flat shape so you can ensure you get the sharpest edge possible all the time.
There is no need to use it with water, it’ll be smooth after the first use and can be used dry. But you should occasionally wash it with water and soap to keep it running at an optimum level.
The only downside to this kind of sharpener is that there is no carbide option for resetting the blade quickly.
Pros
- Works with all types of knives
- Creates a super sharp edge
- Requires no lubrication
- Comes with a leather pouch for storage
- Maintains a flat surface when used
Cons
- No carbide option for blade restoration
Product Information
- Type: Fine Ceramic & Diamond Whetstone
- Weight: 1.92 oz
- Dimensions: 7.25 x 3.5 x 1.5 inches
- Base Material: Diamond & Ceramic
Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener
The Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener is another great pocket knife sharpener to carry with you in the field.
This knife sharpener comes with both a ceramic and diamond sharpening surface, plus a leather strop to polish your blade with once you’ve honed its edge.
The ceramic rod rotates so you can use it on the coarse or fine side, plus there is an angle guide for consistent sharpening, so you always get a good edge.
You can use any type of blade including serrated with this sharpener and there is even a groove for sharpening a fish hook if you’re into fishing.
Overall it’s a sure durable, portable, and effective knife sharpener but it does get dirty quite fast, and there isn’t much grip for you to hold it with.
Pros
- Coarse and fine ceramic/diamond options
- Angle guide for consistent blade sharpening
- Leather strop for polishing after sharpening
- Sharpens all blades including serrated and fish hooks
- Durable, light, compact, and portable
- The plates are replaceable once worn out
Cons
- Gets dirty quite fast
- Not much grip and your hands get tired
Product Information
- Type: Diamond & Ceramic
- Weight: 2.5 oz
- Dimensions: 6.75 x 1.5 x 1 inches
- Base Material: Plastic
DMT 20005 Survival Lightweight Sharpener with Firestarter
The DMT 20005 Survival Lightweight Sharpener with Firestarter is about as small as a pocket knife sharpener can be, so small that it will fit on your car keys.
The sharpening surface consists of a fine diamond mesh and a diamond rod so that you can sharpen a serrated blade with ease too.
There’s even a handy fire starting rod included which you could swap out for another sharpening rod with ease if you wanted to.
The sharpener does give you a great edge but it can be a little tiring and unsafe. Coming in a clear plastic casing, it’s not so grippy or easy to hold and your hands will get tired after a while.
Overall it’s a good knife sharpener and it comes with a lifetime material defect warranty, so if anything fails, you should get a replacement.
Pros
- Fits on your keys with ease
- Fine diamond mesh for a razor-sharp edge
- Sharpener rod for serrated blades
- Includes a firestarter for emergencies
- Lifetime material defect warranty
Cons
- Not so grippy
- Can get tiring to use
Product Information
- Type: Diamond
- Weight: 4.8 oz
- Dimensions: 8.5 x 3.5 x 0.5 inches
- Base Material: Plastic
Victorinox Pocket Dual-Knife Knife Sharpener
The Victorinox Pocket Dual-Knife Knife Sharpener comes in a handy pen size case that you can slide into your pocket or anywhere in your backpack.
Opening up the pen lid, you’ll find a honing stone for pre-sharpening and a ceramic notch for giving your blade a sharp edge.
It’s not going to make your knife super sharp but it will certainly do enough for you to do anything you might need in the outdoors, except maybe thinly slice tomatoes.
It’s an easy and effective pocket knife sharpener to use but there isn’t much grip on it and the ceramic surfaces tend to wear out quite fast.
Pros
- Comes in a pen for storage and portability
- Features a ceramic notch and a grinding stone
- It will keep your edge sharp enough
- Fine ceramic for honing an edge
- Easy and simple to use
Cons
- Will wear out quite fast
- Not much grip for holding it with
Product Information
- Type: Ceramic
- Weight:1.76 oz
- Dimensions: 9.05 x 2.95 x 0.65 inches
- Base Material: Plastic
Wusthof 2-Stage Pocket Knife Sharpener
The Wusthof 2-Stage Pocket Knife Sharpener is incredibly light and portable weighing just 1.6 oz. and being just 3 x 2 x 1 inches.
You’ll put it in your backpack and not even know it’s there, and it’ll ensure you always have a sharp edge no matter where you are.
The pocket knife sharpener comes with both a coarse carbide and a fine ceramic sharpener so you can restore a blade and get a sharp edge with ease.
The sharpening angles are preset for consistency so you always get a sharp edge.
The shell is made up of rubber for grip and there are textured holds so that it never slips when you’re using it.
You can’t sharpen serrated blades with this sharpener, and using the carbide surface will wear down your knife, but it’s a great pocket knife sharper to have with you in the wilderness.
Pros
- Hones and edge well for a super sharp blade
- Non-slip rubber for safety and stable sharpening
- Textured hand grip for easy use
- Light, portable, and sits on a key ring
- Coarse carbide resets a blade well
Cons
- Not for serrated blades
- Coarse carbide wears out a blade over time
Product Information
- Type: Carbide & Ceramic
- Weight: 1.6 oz
- Dimensions: 3 x 2 x 1 inches
- Base Material: Rubber
Smith's Abrasives PP1 Hunting Knife Sharpener
The Smith’s Abrasives PP1 Hunting Knife Sharpener is a do-it-all pocket knife sharpener that comes with carbide, ceramic, and a diamond sharpening surface.
You can use this sharpener for all blade types from serrated to flat blades and it does a good job of giving you a sharp edge. It’s won’t give you a chef-quality edge, but more than enough for a quick hone when you’re away from home.
The carbide and ceramic surfaces are set with a predefined angle for consistent sharpening and they are also replaceable and reversible, so you can use this knife sharpener for years to come.
The case all the sharpening surfaces sit in is plastic and while it does feature a thumb hold it still is not grippy enough which can make it hard to use for extended periods of time.
Overall it’s quite a good ‘jack-of-all-trades’ knife sharpener that is worth having in your backpack when you’re out on the trail.
Pros
- Works on all blade types
- Resets blades well and gives a sharp edge
- Preset sharpening angles for good results
- Simple and easy to use
- Super light and portable
Cons
- Doesn't make blades chef-sharp
- Small and hard to grip
Product Information
- Type: Ceramic, Carbide & Diamond
- Weight: 0.3 oz
- Dimensions: 3.5 x 1 x 0.01 inches
- Base Material: Plastic
What To Look For In The Best Pocket Knife Sharpener
Types of Pocket Knife Sharpeners
There are a few different types of pocket knife sharpeners on the market today and before rushing into buying one, you should take a look at all the different types available to find the one that suits you best.
They each have a different style and work in different ways to put and good edge on to our pocket knife.
Sharpening Stone (Whetstone)
A whetstone or sharpening stone looks like a machined chunk of rock. It is full of either ceramic or diamond material, or a mixture of the two is perfectly rectangular and with a smooth top and bottom where you’ll sharpen your blades.
When you drag your knife across the rugged surface it removes metal from your blade in order to reshape it and hone the edge. You can just keep on going until you get the desired sharpness and it’s super easy to use.
A whetstone will be rated with a number, and the higher the number the more compact the materials are, which will give you a finer edge on your blade.
Diamond Rod
A diamond rod, also known as sharpening steel, consists of a rod with bits of diamond material on the surface that will remove metal when you slide your blade across it. You can use them to fix a damaged blade with chips in it and hone a sharp edge too.
These sharpeners are quite hard to use at first and it will take some time to learn how to use them effectively. They are also super useful for serrated blades and allow you to get in between the grooves so you can get a sharp edge.
Carbide
A carbide sharpening surface is made of tungsten carbide and is quite coarse. It’s useful when you want to reset or restore a blade but it will take quite a lot of metal off the knife quite quickly, so you’ll want to use them sparingly. They are not for honing an edge though but are the first step to getting a damaged blade to sharpness.
You’ll find pocket knife sharpeners with these on them in conjunction with a fine ceramic sharpening surface.
Fine Ceramic
A fine ceramic surface will hone your knife’s blade by reshaping the edge. It doesn’t take metal away from the knife at all and is the surface you’ll use most to ensure your knife is a sharp as you’d like it to be.
It works by slowly reshaping the edge to a finer and finer point consistently across its length. You can keep on going until you have a blade that will slice a tomato just by leaning on it.
Which is the best?
Luckily, you’re not forced to choose as you can pretty much get a pocket knife sharpener with all the sharpening surfaces available all in one, bar a whetstone. Make sure if you have a serrated knife that a diamond rod is included in the sharpener you choose.
Portability
You’re going to want your pocket knife sharpener to be portable, as I’m sure you most likely have a good sharpener at home. Look at the weight and dimensions to ensure it will easily fit in your backpack and not weigh you down too much.
But, you don’t want it to be too small. Remember, you’ll be holding it while you run a knife through it, so it should be large enough to be safe to handle.
Sharpening Angles
Some of the pocket knife sharpeners featured in the article come with a pre-set sharpening angle. While this does make life easier and more consistent when it comes to sharpening, it doesn’t give you much free reign to shape your knife the way you like.
Personally, I’m not so into shaping my knife so a pre-set angler is super convenient for me, especially if it’s for the odd hone when camping. But if you’re in love with shaping your knife edge, pick a knife sharpener with an adjustable angle.
Safety
Regardless of the pocket sharpener you go for, you have to make sure you can use it safely. In the end, you’re running a cutting tool past your hands, and making it sharper to things like grip and non-slip surfaces will make your sharpener a lot safer.
Our Favorite Pocket Knife Sharpeners
The best sharpener overall is the Lansky PS-MED01 Blade Medic. This sharpener is built inside an aluminum house for durability, is light and portable, and comes with all types of sharpening surfaces. There’s a carbide surface for restoration, ceramic and diamond for honing and edge, plus a dedicated ceramic surface for serrated knives.
- First aid for your blade!
- 4 in 1 knife sharpening kit, right in your pocket!
The best budget pocket knife sharpener is the Smith’s CCKS 2-Step Knife Sharpener. For under $5 you get a durable, compact, portable sharpener with bother carbide and ceramic surfaces that will bring your blade to a sharp edge.
- Crossed Carbide Blades Provide Quick Edge Setting
- Crossed Ceramic Rods Provide a Razor Sharp Edge
The best whetstone knife sharpener is the Fallkniven Diamond & Ceramic Whetstone. Made from ceramic and diamond, arriving in a leather pouch, while being light and compact, this is the whetstone you want in your backpack and it’ll give you a super-sharp edge too.
- Length: 3.00 in
- Width: 1.00 in
