If you are looking for the best hunting knife sharpener, then remember that it is going to take a bit of time and thorough research. Patience and a sharp eye for details is the key here. The good thing is if you can get it right, it can be a big advantage over the longer term. It will help you work efficiently, and at the same time, save a lot of money and time too.
The best hunting knife sharpener can be of any type. It depends a lot on the type of knives you use and your comfort level. There are options ranging from stone to electric, depending on the features and price range you are targeting. While it is very obvious that the knife sharpener is used to sharpen dull knives, different factors affect the degree of sharpness and also how easily you can achieve it in the longer run.
To make all of this a lot easier for you, here is an easy guide on the best hunting knife sharpeners and how you should go about selecting one. We have also included details about the key factors you must look for selecting these.
1. Smith’s PP1 Pocket Pal Knife Sharpener – Reversible and Replaceable Carbide and Ceramic Stones
When you are looking for the best hunting knife sharpener, this is one of the most feature-rich options. The pre-set cross carbides and the ceramic stones combine to offer you the most reliable and strikingly sharp edge every time you use it.
I’ve sharpened a Damascus hunting knife with this little guy and it did a great job.
Whether you have hunting knives with standard edges or serrated ones, this sharpener promises razor-sharp edges every time you use it. A compact, durable and extremely lightweight unit, it is high on performance and relatively low on maintenance.
Even in terms of design, it is sleek and thin and occupies much lesser space compared to other functional full-range sharpeners. The blades are reversible and replaceable and help you get smooth and polished edge every time. Check Price.
- Durable product with relatively higher performance ability
- Comfortable to use with both left and right hand
- Degree of sharpening can be changed depending on the quality of the knife
- Easy to clean
- Value for money
- Inconsistency in quality
- Sharpening quality sub-par
- The coarse side has multiple chips
2. SunrisePro Supreme Knife Sharpener – Non-Slip Rubber Base And Patent Top Side Suction Pad
If you are a fan of fast precision edges, then this SunrisePro is undeniably one of the best bets for you. This efficient knife sharpener has the ability to turn your dull useless hunting knives into sharp effective and prized possessions in a matter of minutes. It works effectively for most knives type apart from the fine-toothed ones or scissors at the most.
What really makes this knife sharpener stand apart is the non-slip rubber base that can always guarantee that you have a safe sharpening experience and it is relatively effortless on the whole.
This is also a durable and compact device that does not need much place to fit in. It can be easily accommodated in a small space, and the non-slip rubber base reduces the chances of an accident to a large extent. Check Price.
- Easy to hold and easy to use
- Suction power is huge and makes this an efficient alternative
- Good grip and can use in a vertical position
- The lock suction works smoothly
- Sharpens serrated edges too
- Does not create a finely honed edge for many knives
- Takes off a lot of metal in select cases
3. Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener – Precision Sharpening Guides
If you love to sharpen the knife like a pro, this is the type of alternative that best suits your case. Easy to use, compact and interestingly built, this is a type of product that will make you crave for more.
The easily replaceable abrasive grit belts ensure the sharpest edge that you ever imagined, even by those who are professionals. It is a safe, effective and precision sharpening device that undeniably assures complete satisfaction and creates a dependable quality.
The 1-year warranty does not just make it a relatively risk-free buy but also reiterates the level of commitment to quality by the company. It also guarantees a certain degree of competitive excellence. It is capable of sharpening a wide range of devices including hunting knives. Check Price.
- Versatile sharpening solution with flexible and replaceable belts
- Easy to use
- Offer value for money
- Does not need you to master a lot of skill to operate this
- Not effective for the relatively thick dull blades
4. Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener – Diamond Plate, Ceramic Rod & Leather Strap
One of the best rated, this is undeniably one of the best hunting knife sharpeners that you can opt for. Durable, compact, this is all about a comprehensive sharpening experience. It is the type of product where the result speaks for its quality.
Whether you are using it at home or outside, it is designed to offer you a complete and compact sharpening experience. The diamond plates, ceramic rods, and the leather strap work together to offer you comprehensive and consistent sharpening every time you use it.
The ceramic honing rod that is attached to this sharpener keeps rotating, thereby exposing the coarse and fine surface in a step by step fashion. In case you want to sharpen both standard and serrated edges, there is also a second ceramic rod attached that helps in sharpening serrations.
The consistent blade angle lends a sense of durability to this product. A self-contained device, this is the type of innovation that addresses all your sharpening needs in one complete go. Check Price.
- Versatile and flexible device
- Easy to use
- Comprehensive sharpening solution
- All-around excellence with a range of sharpening expertise
- Sturdy, well-made with ingenious features
- Not a very portable device. It is very heavy so difficult to carry over a long distance
5. 3-Stage Hunting Knife Sharpener – A Pair Of Cut-Resistant Gloves
Easy to use, safe and decidedly a risk-free option with a 30-day guarantee, it features prominently in the list of the best hunting knife sharpeners. This is essentially a 3-step knife sharpening system. The diamond sharpening rods help repair and also boost the damaged blades. In the second step, it is sharpened to get the original V-shape back and then it is cleanly polished in the third step as a part of the fine-tuning exercise.
This is ideal for both left-handed and right-handed users and the ergonomic design reduces the relative fatigue on your palms. All you have to do is place the hunting knife in the 3 slots step by step and pull it out. That guarantees one of the fastest and most effective sharpening experience.
This knife sharpener also comes with a premium quality cut-resistant glove for better control. That along with the non-slip base makes for completely controlled and effective sharpening exercise. Check Price.
- 30-day guarantee boosts buyer confidence
- The three-stage process offers effective and fast sharpening
- Easy to use
- Repairs damaged edges to improve the overall sharpness
- Not appropriate for ceramic knives
How To Decide On The Best Hunting Knife Sharpener
When you set out looking for the best knife sharpener, remember that there is never a dearth of options. All of them will help sharpen your hunting knife; the only difference is that some will sharpen fast while others might take a long time. The degree of sharpness and the time required also matter. You have to consider the overall cost. While it is true that you have to pay more for better quality, it is also important to assess the relative cost to return ratio.
Here is a quick lowdown on the broad factors that can help you take a call on how you can decide on the best option for you.
Types Of Knife Sharpener: There is a wide range of different kinds of knife sharpeners that you can opt for.
Whetstone: These are also known as Japanese Waterstone or oilstones. Rectangular in shape, you need water or oil to activate these stones. They help to sharpen the existing edge instead of creating new ones. For best effect using these stones, you need to hold the knife in the right angle and run it down the stone a number of times for best results.
Manual Sharpeners: These are V-shaped and are radically different from the whetstone in the way it performs. It carves out new edges in the existing knife to sharpen it. But this is a time-consuming process. The manual ones surely do not work as fast or as sharp as the electric ones. Steady application at a certain pace is the key to get the best results from it.
Electric Sharpener: As you can well understand from the name, you need electricity to run these. These are table-top contraptions that use a rotating wheel powered by electricity to grill in new edges in your knife. This is by far one of the quickest ways to sharpen the knife and effective too.
Degree Of Grit: The degree of level of grit in a knife sharpener is crucial. This helps decide how effective it is going to be after all. Most sharpeners have a minimum of two settings, and even the stones have two sharpening sides. Depending on the degree of grit, you can decide what type of knife it is suitable for. Here is look at the three broad types.
- Fine Grit: As you can well deduce from the name, it is rather fine. Most times, you can compare this to honing steel. Its main purpose is to help refine the edges of the knife. This does not drill in new ones.
- Medium Grit: Normally this is the type of grit that is good for sharpening slightly dull knives. In this case, the edges are not damaged and most times the knives still have a lot of life left. The only thing that you have to do is sharpen up the dull edges.
- Coarse Grit: This is what you use for completely damaged knives with chipped ends. When the knife has nicks and chips beyond repair, it is this type of grit that can actually make the cut for the knives.
Size Of Sharpener: When you are looking for the best hunting knife sharpener, the size too matters. In case you are wondering, it does not really affect the ability of the device to sharpen but it affects the way you store it. So don’t just be swayed away by the features of a hunting knife sharpener. Think if you have the space in the house to accommodate it. If you like something that can be tucked away in a drawer, the whetstone or even the honing steel is something that will work for you. But if you have the required space, go for the manual or electric knife.
Time Required: As you know pretty well, all knife sharpeners will sharpen the knife to a certain extent. But some can do it really fast. So typically, if you need about 5 mins per knife on a whetstone, just a few passes on a manual or electric sharpener can do the trick for you. Take a call based on your requirement.
The Price: Last but not least, the price matters too. Take note of your budget and then look for the best-rated option in that price range. This will give you the best value for money deal.
Conclusion
It is never easy deciding on the best hunting knife sharpener. But making an informed choice will help you get a better return on the money spent. To make this task relatively easier, here is our handy guide on the top options available and how to go about it.