Best Hunting Knife Sharpeners of 2023

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Hunting knives are very important for every hunting expedition, they are an essential part of hunting gear, but their value depends on how reliable they really are. They will be useful to you only if they have a razor-sharp edge.

So we made sure to present to you top-rated knife sharpeners, so you can use one of them when needed.

Top 10 Kitchen & Hunting Knife Sharpeners

Best Hunting Knife Sharpeners

1. Kme Precision Knife Sharpener System

Specification

  • Efficient
  • Portable
  • Case included
  • Four gold series diamond hones
  • Easy to use

The first one that deserved to be enlisted is this knife sharpener made by KME because it comes as a total set, it’s very efficient, and it is portable, so you can bring it with yourself on a trip. You will get a base designed from a wood you can attach the sharpener to, four gold series diamond hones, a water bottle, and a cleaning cloth.

Pretty much, it’s everything you need in order to transform a dull knife into an extremely sharp one. We are talking about a manual rod-guided controlled angle sharpening system that’s worth the investment. It has a continuous angle adjustment that can go from 17 to 30 degrees.

Also, there is a rotating blade clamp that will speed up the sharpening process, and a spherical rod guiding system that will keep angles precise. With this device, almost anyone could easily sharpen knives properly.

The clamp is covered with neoprene, so your blades will be protected from scratching. The base and the grip are made of solid cherry wood with a beautiful finish, and the whole package includes a hard case that will prove to be very practical. This is the best knife sharpener kit that’s worth the investment.

2. Work Sharp Combo Knife Sharpener

Specification

  • Fast
  • Consistent
  • For all knife types
  • Flexible abrasive belt
  • Made in the USA

This is a combo knife sharpener that can offer you some excellent results. It is very fast, high-quality made, consistent and versatile. The sharpener is constructed in a very practical way. You just have to place the knife the proper way in a specific area, and the system will do the work for you.

You just need to do a few passes through the sharpener, and your blade will be as good as new. It has a fixed sharpening guide, and flexible abrasive belt that will deliver every time. And the best part is, you can use this sharpener on every knife you possess.

This is an electrical tool that will sharpen your blade, but another part that includes honing is manual. After you place the knife on the belt and finish with the sharpening process, you should move it to the tapered honing rod to make sure it has smooth edges.

The product is made in the USA, and it’s quite affordable. It is suitable for any kind of outdoor knives, kitchen knives, pocket knives, and serrations. It is used by professionals and knife makers, and it will sharpen any type of a blade without overheating it.

3. Smiths Pp1 Pocket Multifunction Sharpener

Specification

  • Lightweight
  • Compact design
  • Portable
  • Easy to maintain
  • High-quality made

If you are looking for the best hunting knife sharpener, maybe this one can be adequate for your needs. It’s very small and portable but very efficient, made of high-quality materials that will allow you to use it for years.

It has tapered round rod that’s diamond-coated – ideal for sharpening standard and serrated blades, pre-set carbide blades that will allow you to restore the dull edge in a just a few seconds, and ceramic stones for an extended and sharp finish.

This sharpener is very sleek and slim, designed to fit every pocket so that hunters can make sure their blades are always super sharp, in any conditions. Both ceramic stones and carbide blades can be replaceable and reversible, so the lifespan of your sharpening tool can be extended.

This is a great hunting knife sharpener, it weighs only one ounce, it has a compact design, and it is easy to maintain. Just remember not to put it under the water. It has V-shaped slots placed at 90 degrees for easy usage, and tapered rod that’s movable. The product comes with a three-year warranty.

4. Boker 09dx003 Sharp Knife Sharpener

Specification

  • Durable
  • Efficient
  • For every type of blade
  • Powerful
  • Lifetime warranty

Now, this is one of the best knife sharpeners for hunting knives. It is a machine design to sharpen pretty much any type of blade, it’s very powerful and efficient. Many professional hunters marked it as their favourite sharpener by all means.

This product comes with an abrasive belt kit, firm, durable, and high-quality made construction, and it works really fast. The best part is that this sharpening machine will provide you with razor-sharp edges that will remain like that for a long time.

It is known that frequent sharpening process can shorten the lifespan of the blades, so that’s pretty much what you were looking for. This is actually the first knife and tool sharpener that’s created to keep any sort of a blade you own in a perfect condition.

The manufacturer will provide you with a guide that will help you understand how this system works, and detailed instruction full of steps you will need to take during the sharpening process. Also, you will get a carry bag for it, and a limited lifetime warranty.

5. Sharpal 101n Knife Sharpener Survival

Specification

  • Multifunctional
  • Practical
  • Portable
  • Reliable
  • Affordable

Here’s another pocket-sized, modern-looking tool that needs to be the part of your hunting gear. It’s one of the best manual knife sharpeners you can find in the markets, and it will cost you just under 10 dollars. It’s very practical, durable, easy to use, and portable.

This knife sharpener comes with five functions. It has a premium carbide blade that can repair dull edges, ceramic blade for hone and polish, a tapered diamond rod for sharpening serrations and gut hooks, a fire starter, and a very loud emergency whistle.

It’s pretty much a tactical knife sharpener any hunter or camper would want to have as part of their equipment. It’s very durable, high-quality made, and it proved to be very reliable. Even though it doesn’t cost much, it will last you a lifetime.

This specific sharpener will repair very dull and damaged blades, but also, it will do it in the shortest period of time. This tool comes with a built-in lanyard hole, and a three-year warranty the manufacturer will give you on this product.

6. Presto 08810 Professional Electric Knife Sharpener

Specification

  • Easy to use
  • Three stages
  • High-quality made
  • Effective
  • 1-year warranty

If you are looking for an electric hunting knife sharpener, you just found the perfect one. This Presto knife sharpener is very beautifully designed and easy to handle. You will be able to use it on almost any type of a knife you own – kitchen, hunting, pocket, etc.

It has a three-stage sharpening system you can install at your home, and thanks to the blade thickness selector, you will be able to adjust guides to optimum sharpening angle. That means you can set it up on medium for kitchen knives for example, and on thick for hunting pieces.

Blade guides will make sure your blade is positioned properly, under the right-angled, so that sharpening takes place only where it should. And finally, there is a fine ceramic wheel that will provide you with honing and polishing your knives.

This is a professional tool you can use at your home, and you won’t even have to invest as much as you expected. The manufacturer will give you a one-year warranty, and a manual that will explain to you very thoroughly how to use this knife sharpener.

7. Edge Pro Apex 1 Knife Sharpener Kit

Specification

  • Reliable
  • High-quality made
  • Case included
  • Portable
  • Easy to use

If you have heard about Edge Pro Apex, then you probably know that’s the most popular knife sharpening kit on the market right now. It has all the necessary parts, it’s easy to use, and you can bring it with yourself no matter where you go.

Since it comes disassembled, you should know that setting it up completely will take only a few minutes, and after that, you will be able to sharpen pretty much any blade you want. It doesn’t need the power to work, you just need to make sure it stands on the flat surface.

It’s important to know that this sharpener won’t generate any heat, so your knife’s temper won’t be damaged by it for sure. It will eliminate the wavy edges on your blade, which will improve its performance and prolong its lifespan.

This kit comes in a very convenient case that will allow it to be super practical and portable. Everything inside is made of high-quality materials, and the adjustable sharpening angles will make sure your blades stay in perfect condition.

8. Smith’s 50185 Jiffy-pro Handheld Sharpener

Specification

  • Practical
  • Lightweight
  • Reliable
  • Portable
  • Easy to use

Now here is something more simple – a hunting knife sharpener that’s lightweight, compact, easy to use, and suitable for travelling. It’s designed in an interesting way that will allow you to hold it and use it in several different ways.

It is made from high-quality materials, and it is built to last. The best thing is that it can fit your pocket and that it costs around 10 dollars. It has a soft-grip handle, carbide and ceramic surfaces, knuckle guard, and premium abrasives that will give you a sharp cutting edge. That means that it’s pretty much perfect for any outdoor activity.

It can be easily attached to a backpack or a belt, and it can sharpen scissors, knives, and game shears. You will be pleased with this product because it’s dependable, quick, safe, and easy to use. This item contains slots that incorporate crossed ceramic rods and crossed carbide blades, so you will be able to both sharpen and hone your blades.

The rubber handle will provide you with a stable grip no matter what the weather conditions are. The uniquely designed finger guard is super practical since it’s open on one end. With this sharpener, you will never have to worry about your knives being ready for some action.

9. Spyderco Tri-angle Premium Sharpmaker Set

Specification

  • Effective
  • Portable
  • Practical
  • Easy to use
  • Made in the USA

Maybe the best knife sharpener for hunting is this one made by Spyderco. It is a tool that will prove to be quite handy in those moments when you realize your blades need to be sharpened. We are talking about a quite practical, easy to use system that’s worth investing.

You will get a plastic base and sharpening stones in the form of sticks. You just need to place the knife’s blade vertically on it, and to draw it along each stone. The keyed holes will keep the stones in a 30 or 40 degrees position, just as they should be for this purpose.

The great thing is that all these parts, including sharpening stones, can fit into the plastic base case, so you can bring your tool with you on a camping or hunting expedition. If you are not sure how everything works, don’t worry, the package includes a detailed manual that will explain it to you thoroughly.

Only a few minutes of practice will be enough for anyone to understand how to sharpen a blade properly. That’s why inexperienced people often chose this kit. The product is USA made, and it includes two sets of high alumina ceramic stones for sharpening and a set of fine stones for polishing.

10. Edge Technology Engineering Double “V”

Specification

  • Practical
  • Lightweight
  • Lifetime warranty
  • High-quality made
  • Portable

The last but not least is this extremely interesting, pocket-size plastic knife sharpener that could make your life so much easier. It has an X design, a 35 degrees angle that’s suitable for most knives, and a tether hole that will secure your sharpener to the set of keys or backpack.

On one side there’s an encapsulated ceramic area for knife storage, and on other is medium and fine grit ceramics for a pristine finish. In order for you to be able to hold your sharpener firmly, the manufacturer used slip-resistant material on the edges.

This item is very small, compact, durable, and high-quality made, so you will simply love it. It features diamond-patterned TPR for comfortable knife sharpening experience. You will be able to use it on any sort of a knife, as long as the blade can fit.

This specific sharpener is ideal for people who spend a lot of time outdoors. It can be easily attached to a piece of your equipment, it’s super light and extremely efficient. It comes in black and orange colour combination which is pretty detectable, so you won’t lose it easily. This sharpener comes with a lifetime warranty.

Type of Hunting & Pocket Knife Sharpeners?

Type of Hunting & Pocket Knife Sharpeners

Manual

You can sharpen your knife in two different ways – using a manual or electric device built for that purpose only. The manual sharpeners are more suitable for experienced people who know what amount of pressure to apply, and how fast they need to slide the blade through the sharpening tool.

They are less expensive than electric knife sharpeners, and they are easy to store since they will need less space.

Electric

Electric sharpeners are more suitable for beginners in this field because they will mostly do the work on their own. You just need to place the blade in the right spot, and that’s pretty much it.

They are very practical, easy to use, and they usually have more options – they can sharpen different types of knives by providing a specific thickness of sharpening spots. They do cost a bit more than manual type, but this investment will pay off for sure, looking long term.

How to Choose the Hunting Knife Sharpeners

How to Choose the Hunting Knife Sharpeners

Grit

When we talk about the grit, we are referring to abrasive particles of diamond, sand, or other stones that are used for sharpening knives, and the grit number will show us how fine the abrasive is.

The higher this number is, the more delicate will the sharpening be, and the less material this process will take off from a knife blade. So this feature is definitely something you need to pay attention to when buying a brand new knife sharpener.

Angle

It is crucial to know what type of blades you are going to sharpen on these devices because they have different angles measured by degrees.

For example, Western knives designed for tough vegetables and meat have a strong blade with a 20-degree edge, while fish knives are finer, and they have up to 15-degrees angles. Each sharpening spot on these devices is set up to a specific angle, so you need to consider this too.

Shape

Knife sharpeners are designed in many different ways, and they can come in various shapes. Some of them need to be placed on the flat surface, others are designed to be held in one hand only, and some need to be mounted. You should think about what do you consider to be the most practical solution and to search for the sharpener of that kind.

Size

Depending on what you need the knife sharpener for – for your home, professional kitchen, or for hunting trips, you should find the one that will be the most suitable.

For instance, you can purchase a large and robust sharpening device that has many options and possibilities if you have enough room for it and if you don’t intend taking it with you anywhere. The sharpening kit that can be disassembled, however, is adequate for travelling.

Weight

If we are talking about a knife sharpener you want to place in your pocket, a backpack or to attach it to your belt, then you definitely need to buy one that’s very small and super lightweight.

Those types of devices are ideal for hunting trips or camping. Others that are made for home purpose only can be heavier because you won’t move them a lot.

How Often Should I Use the Knife Sharpener

Frequently asked question

How Does a Knife Sharpener Work?

No matter what type of a knife sharpener we are talking about, they all work pretty much the same way. You need to position the knife the certain way, on an abrasive material, and slide it from one side to another.

The abrasive material needs always to be harder than the material blade is built from, so it can eliminate all the imperfections that will appear with time and make it dull.

Can Knife Sharpeners Cause Damage to Knives?

If you don’t follow the procedure correctly, and if you apply too much pressure on a blade when sharpening it, then yes, you can damage your knife. That can happen especially with those manual types. The inappropriate usage of sharpener can cause the edge chip to fall off easily.

How Often Should I Use the Knife Sharpener?

Well, this depends mostly on the type of the knife you use, and on how much or how often you use it.

If we are talking about knives you tend to use from time to time, then it should be enough to sharpen them a couple of times a year, but if the day doesn’t go buy that you don’t take it in your hands, then this process needs to be more often. Some of them you can sharpen right before you use it, each time.

How Do I Know if My Knife Is 15 or 20 Degrees?

This can be tricky because you need to have this information before placing your knife into the sharpening device. The best would it be for you to ask the manufacturer of the knife directly if this info cannot be found on the package.

Conclusion

The experts say that having a good knife sharpener is equally important as owning a good knife. They cannot work one without the other.

The thing with knives is that they need to be maintained properly, and they need to be sharp all the time if you want them to be ready to serve you well. And that means making sure to have an adequate device that can provide you with a perfectly sharp blade.

We made sure to enlist all the best and unique sharpeners that are available in the market in order to help you with the search and to point out all the essential features a great knife sharpener needs to have.

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