Knives are awesome tools! They come in all shapes and sizes, folding or fixed blade. But that wonderful sharp blade that came out of the box will not stay that way for very long under normal use. You will need a way to get that blade back to a useful sharpness so it can do it’s job. There are many sharpeners on the market that will sharpen your knives, some better than others. In this article I will talk about a few that I know to be good and then you can make up your own mind. But it is important to keep your knives SHARP, otherwise why carry them with you!
Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener
The Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener
is the first knife sharpener designed to sharpen every knife you own. Using flexible abrasive belts, the sharpener is able to sharpen not just straight bladed knives, but also curved knives, tanto blades, filet knives, serrated knives, gut hooks and virtually any other shape of knife blade. The Knife & Tool Sharpener uses precision angle sharpening guides to ensure that you get the proper angle every time. Two guides are included: a 50° guide for hunting and outdoor knives (25° per bevel) and a 40° guide for thinner blades and kitchen knives (20° per bevel).
Professional knife makers use flexible belts to put a razor sharp edge on their blades, and now you can have the same technology at home to use any time your knives get dull. You may already have other sharpening methods, but never before has a knife sharpener been able to quickly and easily sharpen this broad range of knives to such extremely sharp results.
It also sharpens other common tools including scissors*, axes, hatchets, mower blades, garden shears, shovels, and most any tool with a cutting edge.
Benchmade Guided Field Sharpener
The Guided Field Sharpener
is a compact knife and tool sharpener designed for use in the field. Built-in 20 degree angle guides ensure a consistent bevel angle across the entire edge of the blade. Five abrasive steps provide a complete sharpening solution. All elements are self contained and require no assembly in the field. Sharpen many other other tools including scissors, fish hooks, broadheads and more.
Spyderco Tri-Angle Premium Sharpmaker Set
The key to sharpening any cutting tool is removing
the steel at the edge while maintaining a consistent angle between the blade and the stone. Spyderco’s Tri-Angle Sharpmaker takes the mystery out of this process and enables anyone to sharpen a knife effectively with just a few minutes practice. Its durable ABS plastic base contains keyed holes that accurately set the stones’ sharpening angles at a 30° (15° each side) or 40° (20° each side) for sharpening knives. Simply keep the plane of your knife’s blade vertical and draw the edge along each stone to sharpen. It’s that simple. For serrated blades, use the rounded edges of the stones and a slightly looser grip to allow the stone to flow into the recesses of each serration. The Sharpmaker system includes two sets of high alumina ceramic stones: a pair of medium-grit (brown) stones for aggressive sharpening and a set of fine (white) stones for professional-grade finishing. A set of aluminum safety rods protects your hands while sharpening and all components snap into the self-contained ABS plastic base and lid for easy storage. Every Sharpmaker comes complete with a detailed instruction book and DVD that guides you step by step through the process of sharpening knives, scissors, awls, and many other tools.
Smith's Pocket Pal
Smith’s new “Pocket Pal” Multi-Functional 
Knife Sharpener features pre-set crossed carbides and ceramic stones, which provide the “Perfect Edge” every time. Carbides provide quick edge setting, and the specially shaped ceramic stones are designed to give you a razor sharp edge on either standard or serrated edges. A fold out, tapered round, diamond coated rod is designed for sharpening serrations and small gut hooks. Unit is compact, lightweight, durable, and comes with a lanyard hole.
Lansky C-Sharp
The Lansky C-Sharp features four 
sharpening angles (17º, 20º, 25º, and 30º) in 600 grit ceramic. It also has an 800 grit fine ceramic benchstone that can be used for polishing straight or serrated blades. Perfect as a Lansky System accessory, or as a stand-alone sharpening solution, the C-Sharp offers the same great features as the QuadSharp, in an all-ceramic option.
Work Sharp EDC Pivot Knife Sharpener
The Work Sharp EDC Pivot Knife Sharpener
is a fast, easy and effective way to sharpen any knife you own. Convex Carbides quickly restore a sharp edge; while the fine grit ceramic rods hone the edge to factory level sharpness. Pivot Response follows the curve of the blade when sharpening making it easier and more consistent. Additional medium grit diamond sharpening surface is ideal for touching up knives, tools and even fishhooks. Compact size easily stows in your pack, pocket, tool or tackle box.
Final Remarks
Each one of the knife sharpeners mentioned work very well, I have my favorite but I will mention it later. The first three sharpeners are larger and are better used at home. While the last three are pocket- type knife sharprners that can be used when you are at work or at play. My favorite sharpener is the Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener, it is easy to use and works very well. The price is fairly reasonable for the quality of sharpening that it does and I would highly recommend this a a good quality knife sharpener. As for the pocket sharpeners, I still like the Smith’s Pocket Pal. I have used them for years and they do a good job. I am not saying they are better then the others, I am most familiar with the Pocket Pal and use it more often. Check them out, you will not be disappointed.
If you have any questions about this review or anything related to Everyday Carry (EDC), feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.
All the best,
Larry
Founder of EDC Essentials