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KnifeSharpeningMethods

Finding Your Perfect Fit

When selecting the best knife sharpener for your needs, you’ll want to consider your budget, use case, how quickly you need the job done, the type of blade steel, and where you’ll be doing the sharpening. Here’s an overview.

Grit

Sharpening tools use abrasives to remove small amounts of metal from the blade to create a fresh, sharp edge. Abrasives come in various grits, ranging from coarse to fine.

  • Coarse grit (200-400): Used for repairing damaged edges, removing nicks, and re-profiling the blade. Think of it like sanding down rough wood with sandpaper.

  • Medium grit (600-1000): Refines the edge after the initial shaping and removes the scratches left by the coarse grit.

  • Fine grit (1000-8000): The final stage of sharpening, where the edge is honed to a razor-sharp finish. Higher grits polish the blade and create a smooth, refined edge.

If your blade is chipped or damaged, you’ll need to use coarse abrasives to reshape the edge, removing more material to restore the blade’s original profile. A heavily damaged blade might require a very coarse grit to re-establish the edge geometry, while finer abrasives work well for touch-ups or maintenance on an already sharp blade.

Whetstone

To whet is to sharpen, so whetstone is another way to say sharpening stone. There are several types of whetstones for knives, each with unique characteristics and uses:

  • Water stones: Soaked in water before use. Good for fast cutting action and general sharpening.

  • Oil stones: Lubricated with oil. Durable and long-lasting; good for heavy-duty sharpening and maintenance.

  • Diamond stones: Water lubrication optional. Extremely hard and durable; suitable for very hard steels and quick sharpening tasks.

  • Ceramic stones: Water lubrication optional. Very fine abrasives; ideal for finishing and polishing.

Work Sharp BenchStone™ Knife Sharpener

Similar to diamond stones but with a flat, plate-like design, durable tools like the Work Sharp Benchstone™ Knife Sharpener are ideal for maintaining already sharp edges on hard steels and quickly sharpening lightly dulled blades. A diamond sharpener’s exceptional longevity makes it a great investment.

Knife Maintenance Tool

Pull-through sharpeners like our Knife Maintenance Tool are easy to use and provide quick results at home or on the go. Since pull-through sharpeners trade convenience for control, they’re not recommended for delicate blades, heavy-duty sharpening, or collector knives. But if you’re not sure how to use a knife sharpener, this option makes it easy—just position the blade in the designated slot and pull it through at the desired angle.

Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition

Efficient electric options like the Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition deliver consistent results with minimal effort. They’re perfect for people who prioritize speed and convenience.

Work Sharp Professional Precision Adjust™ Knife Sharpener

One especially easy knife-sharpening technique is using a guided system that holds the blade at a fixed angle. Guided sharpening systems like the Work Sharp Professional Precision Adjust™ Knife Sharpener are great for beginners while offering enough features to satisfy even the most discerning knife collector.

CRKT® Micro Tool & Keychain Sharpener Multi-Tool

Field sharpeners like the CRKT® Micro Tool & Keychain Sharpener Multi-Tool offer less precision than other methods, but they’re portable and compact, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who need to sharpen on the go.

Veff Sharp™ Sharpener

Wondering how to sharpen a serrated knife or a similarly unique blade shape? Specialized tools like the Veff Sharp™ Sharpener are made for sharpening individual serrations or following recurves and other atypical contours.

Next: A Step-by-Step Guide to Knife SharpeningThe CRKT Knife Sharpening Guide