The Best Knife Sharpeners of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

After years of running a knife sharpening business, I know that too many people carry and use dull knives. That used to be excusable because you had to use sharpening stones, and not everyone could jump on the internet and learn how to use them efficiently. But today, there’s no excuse for carrying or using a dull knife. The market is loaded with quality knife sharpeners that are easy to use, and produce excellent results. 

So, whether you have your grandfather’s Case Stockman in your pocket, a high-speed, low-drag OTF, a hunting knife, or a kitchen knife, you can keep it sharp and useful. I’ve tested sharpeners of all types and compiled my picks for the best knife sharpeners, so you can pick what works for your budget and needs.

• Best Overall: Work Sharp Professional Precision Adjust Elite Knife Sharpener
• Best Under $150: Work Sharp Precision Adjust Elite
• Best Sharpening Stone: Sharpal 162N Dual-Grit Diamond Whetstone
• Most Versatile: Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition Elite Mk.2
• Best Rolling Sharpener: HORL 2 Pro with Premium Set
• Best Budget Electric Sharpener: NuoDunco 3-in-1 Mini Belt Sander
• Best Budget Fixed Angle Sharpener: Lansky Deluxe 5-Stone Sharpening System
• Best Pocket Sharpener: Fallkniven DC4
• Best for Knife Collectors: TSPROF K03 Pro AL Hunter Sharpening Kit
• Best Strop: Bacher
• Best Honing Rod: Noble Home & Chef
• Best for Your Pack: Work Sharp Pivot

How I Chose the Best Knife Sharpeners 

Between my sharpening business, my personal knife collection, and knives borrowed from friends, I have no shortage of blades to sharpen. Each sharpener was tested on a variety of blade types and sizes to see where they shine and where they struggle. I also tested them on different types of blade steels, from soft carbon steels to modern, high-hardness super steels, to see what they can handle.

Other variables considered were ease of use, price, and of course, the quality of the edge each sharpener produced. 

Outdoor Life editors and staff writers appreciate a sharp edge too. You’ll see additional reviews by staff members who use knife sharpeners to keep their hunting, kitchen, and EDC blades keen.

Best Knife Sharpeners: Reviews and Recommendations

Best Overall: Work Sharp Professional Precision Adjust Elite Knife Sharpener

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Pros

• Produced the best edges in the test
• No guesswork with edge angles
• Clear instructions, even for a novice sharpener
• Can handle any steel, and nearly any knife size
• Resin Bonded Diamond Stones are the highest-grade diamond stones

Cons

• Included carry and storage case is super tough, but very bulky
• Rubber pads in the jaws protect finishes but can allow a tiny bit of wiggle

Key Features

• 10 Total plates to get the finest edge possible
• Edge angles from under 10 deg. to over 40 deg.
• Digital angle finder included for precise, repeatable results
• “Table” included for sharpening even the smallest knives that won’t clamp
• A serration sharpening rod is included
• Price: $450

The Professional Precision Adjust Elite Knife Sharpener is both a mouthful of name and an excellent sharpener. This is the latest and greatest from the company, and I found they delivered big with this sharpener. A lot of thought has been put into this package to provide exceptional results on a wide array of knives. 

For small knives like a Case Sodbuster Jr., there is a fully adjustable magnetic table included to hold the knife in place and keep the angle consistent. It easily slides in place after you remove the V-Block clamp that holds larger knives with just the press of a small lever. The V-Block clamp requires no tools and no guesswork. Just pinch the jaws, put the blade in until it stops, then tighten the knob, and you’re ready to sharpen. 

For setting the angle, it’s as simple as putting the angle finder on the rod and twisting the angle knob to get your desired number. Choose a plate, raise a burr, rotate the clamp, and repeat on the other side of the edge. Repeat for each grit and then strop, and you’re left with a highly polished, hair-whittling edge. 

The plates are held in place with a magnet and can be changed in seconds. If you’re sharpening a big blade, there is a support for the clamp so that there is no movement while sharpening, which keeps things very consistent. The sharpener can also tilt backwards to accommodate the rotation of long knives. A ceramic rod on the plate holder allows you to sharpen serrations, and there are included stops on your rod to keep you from “falling off” the edge with the stone. 

This is not a budget fixed-angle sharpener, but there are systems costing three times what this does, and they deliver the same results, just slightly faster. Resin Bonded diamond stones are the most consistent out there, and those quality components combined with the easy-to-use and versatile system make the Work Sharp Professional Precision Adjust Elite my choice for the best overall knife sharpener.

Read Next: Best Pocket Knives

Also Consider

If you’re looking for something less expensive, and you don’t need all the “Elite” features, the standard Work Sharp Professional Precision Adjust is $200 cheaper and also excellent.

Best Under $150: Work Sharp Precision Adjust Elite

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Pros

• Precise sharpening
• Easy to use
• Versatile 

Cons

• Learning curve

Key Features

• 15 to 30 degree angle guides
• Includes: 220, 320, 400, 600, & 800 grit diamond plates, ceramic plate, leather strop, and ceramic rod for serrations
• Adjustable in 1 degree increments
• Price: $139.95
• Great for sharpening pocket knives, kitchen knives, hunting knives, and broadheads

Whether you need to sharpen a 2-inch pocket knife or an heirloom fixed blade, this is the best knife sharpener for the job. It can power through super steels and polish to mirror finish. I like that it’s easy to maintain a consistent edge angle and that the kit only has a few pieces. It’s also relatively inexpensive compared to similar sharpeners. 

I rarely use the aggressive stones that are included in the kit, unless I’m repairing a chip. I start with the 600 grit, progress to 800 grit, and finish with the leather strop. You can go from a knife that won’t push cut paper to one that will split a hair in 10 minutes. Part of what makes sharpening go so quickly is how easy it is to rotate the stones to change grits. It’s also very easy to swap sides of the knife.

There is a learning curve to using this knife sharpener, but here are a few tips to help shorten the curve. Find the right angle by coloring the edge with a sharpie and making light passes with the stone until you find the angle where the stone removes the sharpie from the edge. Another option is to choose an angle you like and use the coarse stones to adjust your knives to that angle. Once you have an angle, the key is to use light, consistent pressure and long strokes. Remember to move the strop in one direction so that it doesn’t cut the leather. — Scott Einsmann

Best Sharpening Stone: Sharpal 162N Dual-Grit Diamond Whetstone

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Pros

• Storage case doubles as a non-slip holder
• Very even diamond distribution for consistent abrasion
• 325 grit quickly removes damage and sets edge, and 1200 grit gives a great finish
• Large surface area prolongs life, and makes sharpening bigger blades much easier

Cons

• Angle guide helps, but freehand sharpening requires more skill and practice
• 325 to 1200 is a big jump in grits, so refining can take some time

Key Features

• 325 and 1200 grit sides
• Large 3”x8” surface
• “Angle Pyramid” guide is included to help you find and keep a consistent angle
• Rubber pad on base to keep stone in place while sharpening
• Price: $69

The Sharpal is the best diamond stone I’ve used. The plate is very flat, and the base stays in place and holds the stone at a good height for multiple grips on the blade. The larger 8×3-inch stone is worth the little extra money over the smaller version because it makes sharpening faster and easier, especially for larger blades like kitchen knives. The larger surface area cuts a wider portion of the edge, which helps keep you balanced and level. 

If you are planning on sharpening higher-end steels, the Sharpal will stand up to higher hardness and more wear-resistant alloys very well. The bonding is high quality, and this stone should last a long time through lots of sharpening. This diamond plate can be used dry or with honing oil, but never with water. I usually sharpen it dry; when it needs cleaning, I use an old toothbrush and rinse it with water. Just be sure it’s completely dry before storing it. 

I’ve used diamond stones that were cheaper and ones that are significantly more expensive, and the Sharpal has been my favorite because it delivers high-end quality at a bargain price. If you are looking to learn freehand sharpening, a diamond plate will require less maintenance than a traditional stone, give faster results, and will never need to be leveled and flattened. You’re getting a lot of quality for the price, and this dual sided stone can be a one-and-done purchase. If you get a strop to finish your edges with, and you practice to perfect your technique, The Sharpal can give you hair-popping edges every time.    

Most Versatile: Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition Elite Mk.2

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Pros

• Produces exceptional edges
• Sharpen any size knife, machete, sword, axe, hand tool, and even mower blades
• Fast repairs and sharpening
• Easy Adjustments
• Comes with stropping belt and compound

Cons

• Belt angle is adjustable, but this is still a freehand sharpener so there is more technique to learn

Key Features

• Six 1’’ x 18’’ Belts Included for blade grinder attachment, and Six belts for the small head attachment
• Adjust edge angle with the twist of a knob from 10 deg. to 35 deg.
• Adjust belt slack for deeper or shallower convex edge
• Adjustable belt speed
• Price: $250

The Work Sharp Elite Mk.2 kept the same basic dimensions as the original, but everything else is changed. Adjustments are precise and easy, belt speed control is simple and repeatable, and the redesigned pulleys and supports never get in the way, regardless of the blade shape. On the Mk.2, you can set it up for high, medium, and low amounts of convex. That adjustable convex allows you to customize how durable or fine you want the edge. The Mk.2 comes with both the standard head for guided knife sharpening and the much-improved blade grinder attachment for ultimate versatility. The grinder attachment allows you to sharpen axes, shears, loppers, knives, machetes, mower blades, chisels, broadheads, and more.

The blade grinder is compatible with any 1×18-inch belts, so you can expand the versatility and try your hand at knifemaking with this sharpener, or do more significant modifications to knives. I’ve used it to regrind and repair broken tips with ease, and even changed the primary grind on an old knife just to see if I could do it. 

Work Sharp made provisions for the Ken Onion Edition Elite Mk.2 to be fastened to a workbench if you want to try some more advanced and rigorous work. If you’re using the blade grinder, it will take some practice to master, as it’s not guided like the regular head, but when you get the feel, it delivers exceptional results. While this sharpener is far from a budget tool, it is far from functioning like a budget tool. For the capability this machine offers, I see it as a very good value.  

Read my review of the best electric knife sharpeners for more options.

Best Rolling Knife Sharpener: HORL 2 Pro with Premium Set

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Pros

• Easy to swap out discs
• Fastest Rolling sharpener
• Compact and easy to store
• Very little practice is required

Cons

• Gear reduction means added rolling resistance
• High price tag for limited versatility

Key Features

• “Fine” Diamond and “Extra Fine” Ceramic, 3000, 6000 and Strop
• 15 and 20-degree guides
• 3: 1 Planetary gears to increase disc speed
• Price: $478 (with premium set)

The HORL 2 Pro is most at home in the kitchen, but it can struggle with some outdoor knife designs. Chef’s knives and broader EDC and outdoor blades work best with this sharpener, and the HORL 2 can get polished edges with the whetstone discs and strop. The HORL 2 Pro is also the only rolling sharpener I tested (out of seven) that uses planetary gears to spin the discs three times for every rotation of the sharpener body, which really helps speed things along. While the gear system does speed things up, the drawback is that it requires more effort to roll. It’s the same principle as a mountain bike: as you shift into a higher gear, it requires more effort because the wheels are going faster. The other drawback is the price. The Premium Set is an additional $139, on top of the $339 for the base kit. The Horl 2 Pro is easy to use, and doesn’t require much practice to get really good results. If you have premium chef knives, and want a premium system specifically designed for them, the HORL 2 Pro is a good place to look. The stones are all high quality and will stand up to high-end steels well and the strong magnets in the base do a good job of holding your knife in place. If you have been looking at rolling sharpeners, and want the best results possible, the HORL 2 Pro will deliver. 

Best Budget Electric Sharpener: NuoDunco 3-in-1 Mini Belt Sander

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Pros

• Comes with over 30 belts
• Reversible electric motor
• Buffing wheel gives a nice finish to the edge

Cons

• No belt tracking adjustment, which can cause extra noise
• Fixed belt and shelf angle, so different angles are done freehand

Key Features

• Several belt grits, a grinding wheel, and a cloth buffing wheel for polishing
• 15-degree guide shelf for sharpening on the belts
• Sharpens nearly any knife or tool
• Adjustable belt speed
• Price: $50

The NuoDunco 3-in-1 Belt Sander was most likely not designed originally as a knife sharpener, but it sure does a nice job sharpening knives. When I saw some of the aggressive belts that it came with, I decided to rehab a beat up old serrated bread knife with it. The serrations were toast, and it had a completely unsharpened tip. I removed all the serrations and ground down the tip to be even with the rest of the blade. After the shaping was done, I ran it through the finer grits, then finished on the buffing wheel for a semi-polished edge that was quite sharp. 

The shelf is fixed and will give you a 15-degree edge, which works well in the kitchen, but outdoor knives benefit from a slightly steeper edge, which will require you to tilt the knife on the shelf or go totally freehand. This can take a while to master, but once you get the hang of it, you can get very sharp edges. 

This sharpener will also work well on axes and garden tools, and can pull double duty as a regular old belt grinder. I was pleasantly surprised with how this powerful sharpener did, and I liked that it can be fastened to the bench easily and that it can run with or without the grinding and buffing wheels attached. I left the grinding wheel off while sharpening to avoid running my knuckles into it, but I left the buffing wheel on. This sharpener is kind of noisy, and lacks some refinement, but it functions quite well as a basic sharpener and all-around shop tool.

Best Budget Fixed Angle Sharpener: Lansky Deluxe 5-Stone Sharpening System

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Pros

• Guides take the guesswork out
• Easy to clamp most knives
• Compact and easy to store in included case
• Easy to use

Cons

• Natural stones take longer to cut super steels than diamond stones
• Can be awkward to hold
• Screwdriver required to clamp

Key Features

• Five stones from 70 to 1000 grit
• 17, 20, 25, and 30 degree guides
• Honing oil included
• Price: $50

The Lansky Deluxe has been around for a long time and has remained unchanged because it just works. The clamp has a series of slots for the guide rods to fit into that approximate to the angle listed on them. I noticed that the sharpening angle varies slightly depending on the width of the blade and how you clamp it. The angle guide will get you close though, and they give you the same angle on both sides, which is what really matters. If you’re really particular about your sharpening angles, you can get a digital angle finder to get things set exactly where you want them. 

The clamp requires a Phillips head screwdriver, and does not have rubber to protect your blade’s finish.  So, it’s possible to leave some small marks on the finish if the blade moves in the clamp during set up or sharpening. I’ve sharpened super steels on this system, and I recommend trying to match the existing angle as close as possible because the natural stones will take much more time to cut those steels than diamond stones. A tip for matching that angle is to color the bevel with sharpie and adjust the angle until you remove the marker evenly. 

For sharpening your average pocket knife or hunting knife, the Lansky is a great budget option if you don’t feel comfortable freehand sharpening on a stone. The guides make it relatively easy to get consistent, repeatable edges on your knives. If you take your time and pair the Lansky with a strop, you can really get some hair-popping edges on your knives. Be sure to use the supplied honing oil on the stones before each sharpening to keep the natural stones from clogging up, and to keep everything running smoothly. For a little extra, there is a stand you can buy to mount the clamp on, which will really help keep everything consistent and eliminate the awkward holding. 

Best Pocket Sharpener: Fallkniven DC4

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Pros

• Lightweight and compact
• Diamonds stand up well to super steels
• Leather sheath can act as a strop

Cons

• Small size makes it more difficult to hold
• Ceramic is a little on the soft side

Key Features

• Medium Diamond on one side, fine ceramic on the other
• Only 2.4oz. / 68g.
• Leather sheath for carrying
• Price: $27

The Fallkniven DC4 is what rides in my hunting pack for emergencies and mishaps. It weighs next to nothing so I don’t feel bad packing it into the backcountry on a big hunt. It’s great for sharpening broadheads or touching up a knife that got damaged or dulled. For me, it has been most useful for when I bring new hunters out who may not keep their as sharp as me. I’ve sharpened a couple knives on the spot for someone who either forgot to sharpen theirs, or didn’t realize they brought a dull knife. The DC4 has a great balance of grits between the medium diamond and the fine ceramic. 

Between those two sides, I can get a blade with a good working edge, and with the leather sheath, I can refine it a bit with some stropping. I loaded my sheath up with some compound to make it a more effective strop. The only real downside is also what makes it so easy to carry, its small size. The sharpener is very thin, and I hold it with the tips of my fingers from underneath while working the knife over it. All is well if you mind your fingers and take your time, but there is an increased chance of cutting the tips of your fingers if you get a little careless. But overall, the DC4 is a good insurance policy that won’t weigh you down in the field, and that’s why I have been carrying mine for years. 

Best for Knife Collectors: TSPROF K03 Pro AL Hunter Sharpening Kit

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Pros

• Precise
• Easy to use
• No need to reset clamps when switching sides
• Solid construction and stable base
• Changing stones is fast and easy
• Every adjustment is silky smooth

Cons

• Not for casual knife sharpeners due to price

Key Features

• Sharpens knives from 2.4 – 17.7 inches
• Max knife thickness: .275 inch
• Made from 7075T6 aircraft aluminum
• Includes digital angle gauge
• Set of 5 diamond plates
• Sharpens at 10° to 39° with an accuracy of 0.1°.
• Can use any abrasive stones up to 8 inches
• Price: $792

If you have a large collection of knives and want to customize the sharpening angle for each blade, the TSPROF K03 Pro is the ultimate sharpening system for you. I own a few hundred knives and have gotten into high-end folders that cost over $500. So I wanted a knife sharpening system that could produce accurate edges, and not damage my expensive blades. I keep a Field Notes notebook with my K03 Pro and write down the sharpening angle for each knife so I can reference it later. Then, it’s a simple process of resetting the angle with .01 and touching up the edge.

The built-in digital angle gauge is user-friendly, and anyone can figure out how to use it. I also love that you can use a variety of after-market stones like the awesome ones from Naniwa. The stones that come with the Hunter Sharpening Kit are great, but when they wear out, I’ll add some Naniwas to my kit. Some fixed angle systems require you to remove the knife and reclamp it when switching sides. However, with the TSPROF K03, you keep the knife clamped and simply rotate it. This maintains accuracy on both sides of your edge and makes sharpening go much faster. 

The bottom line is that if you want the best fixed-angle sharpening system money can buy, the TSPROF sharpeners are what you want. 

Best Strop: Bacher

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Pros

• Plenty of surface area
• High-quality leather 

Cons

• Some users might prefer two smooth leather sides

Key Features

• Rough and smooth side
• 12.5 inches long
• 2.17 inches wide
• Includes four grits of stropping compound

I use this strop daily for my leather working tools and for touching up my pocket knife between sharpenings. I keep a medium stropping compound on one side and a fine compound on the other. With this strop and the included stropping compound you can take an edge that’s sharp and bring it back to very sharp in just a few swipes. If you keep your tools sharp and never let them get dull, you won’t have to use a stone unless you do some damage. That’s why a strop is a must have-tool for maintaining your blades. — Scott Einsmann

Best Honing Rod: Noble Home & Chef

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Pros

• Great for kitchen knives
• Easy to use

Cons

• Can break if dropped 

Key Features

• 2000/3000 Grit
• 11.5 inches long
• Ceramic

Open my kitchen knife drawer and you’ll find this ceramic hone. I bought it after a friend of mine, who is a custom knife maker, recommended it. I use it to touch up my chef’s knife before every use and instead of sharpening weekly, I’m down to sharpening my kitchen knives monthly. Just like a strop, the key is maintenance. Keep your knives sharp, and you won’t have to sharpen them. When it comes to honing rods the most common mistake is using them the wrong way. If you are holding the hone in one hand as you quickly swipe the blade in the other, you’re doing it wrong. 

The right way to use it is to put the tip of the hone on your cutting board, then while maintaining a consistent angle make even passes on each side of the blade. — Scott Einsmann

Best for Your Pack: Work Sharp Pivot

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Pros

• Easy to use
• Versatile 

Cons

• One angle

Key Features

• 25 degree carbide sharpening blades
• 320 grit diamond sharpening surface
• Fine-grit ceramic rods
• Weight: 2.4 ounces

When your hunting knife gets dull while you’re boning out an elk, you need a sharpener that will quickly get you back to work. That’s where the Wicked Edge Pivot excels. It’s not a fancy sharpener and it’s not going to produce mirror edges, but when your knife is dull, it will make it sharp. At 2.4 ounces this palm-sized sharpener isn’t too big to keep in your pack. Since my hunting knife of choice is now a fixed blade, the Pivot has a permanent place in my kill kit. One of the keys to using this sharpener is to not press down on the blade, just use the weight of the knife for downward pressure as you pull the knife across the rods. — Scott Einsmann

Read Next: How to Sharpen a Knife

How to Choose the Best Knife Sharpener

My dad was a sushi chef and he started everyday by soaking his whetstones and bringing his knives to a fine edge. His stones are still being used to sharpen my kitchen knives and they’ll last for many years to come. 

But they’re not the best knife sharpener for every job. On my knives made from high-rockwell stainless steels, I prefer an electric sharpener to repair chips and diamond stones for general maintenance. And sometimes, getting the whetstones prepped is a pain. So I’ll reach for a honing rod to quickly get a blade ready to cut, sorry dad. 

Types of Knife Sharpeners

You can make a dull knife sharp with a car window or a thousand dollar sharpening stone. We’ve reviewed a lot of options between those two options and the trick is going to be determining which is best for you. Here are some pros and cons to consider for the three main types of sharpeners.

Electric Knife Sharpeners

Pros

• Sharpen knives quickly
• Easy to use
• Great for repairing chips
• Produce a convex edge

Cons

• Can ruin a knife quickly
• The convex edge isn’t ideal for all cutting applications 

Guided Knife Sharpeners

Pros

• Easy to use
• Sharpen most knives

Cons

• Takes time to setup and use 

Stones

Pros

• The ultimate sharpening flex
• Can produce a toothy or fine edge
• Don’t remove too much steel

Cons

• Learning curve 

Honing a Knife versus Sharpening a Knife

A knife sharpener removes metal from a knife to create a new cutting edge. A honing rod refines an already sharp edge. Think of a honing rod or pull-through sharpener as maintenance tools for keeping your knife sharp. Even with consistent honing, your knife will eventually need sharpening by a stone or belt sharpener. 

Type of Edge 

There are two primary types of edges a sharpener can put on a knife, a v-edge and a convex edge. The v-edge has a cross-section that looks like a “V.” A convex edge has a slight curve to the bevel, like a “V” that curves inward slightly at the bottom. A convex edge is generally more durable, and less likely to chip or roll under heavy use, but they usually don’t feel as sharp as a v-edge of the same angle. Both types of edges can be made sharp enough to whittle hair, and both are great in the right application. 

The last factor you should look at before choosing a sharpener is edge angle. To keep it simple, the smaller, more acute the angle, the sharper the knife will be, and the better the outright cutting performance. But, that performance comes at the cost of edge strength and stability. The lower your angle, the more likely you are to chip or roll your edge if you run into something hard like bone, or a staple in the cardboard, or a bullet fragment in your game meat. Many systems have angle guides that help you maintain a consistent angle across the entire edge, and they let you pick from a range of angles. 

FAQs

Q: Are pull-through sharpeners bad for knives?

Pull through sharpeners can do more harm than good. Some models are fine for light touch-ups, but they don’t really sharpen a knife. It’s much better to invest in a ceramic hone and learn how to use it properly. 

Q: What is the best way to sharpen knives at home?

The best way to sharpen a kitchen knife is to use a ceramic hone for touch-ups and a guided sharpening system like the Work Sharp Ken Onion knife sharpener. 

Q: Do knife sharpeners really work?

Knife sharpeners work extremely well if you take the time to learn how to use them. The good news is best knife sharpeners in this review are all easy to use. 

Final Thoughts on the Best Knife Sharpeners

Hundreds and hundreds of knife sharpeners and knife sharpening techniques could be covered in a review like this. Sharpeners range from a few dollars to thousands of dollars if you get into high-end Japanese water stones. The really cheap ones are generally not worth owning, and for the vast majority of people, the super expensive ones aren’t either. There are many good sharpeners that I like and use that aren’t on this list, and if your favorite didn’t make the list, it doesn’t mean its bad. Wicked Edge, KME, TS PROF, Tormek, Smiths, Spyderco, and a huge host of other companies make some quality sharpeners that perform very well, but this list represents some of the sharpeners that are easy to use, and will set you up for sharpening success, and hit the price range that gives the biggest return on your investment. Some more expensive systems can deliver marginally better results, but they suffer from the law of diminishing returns. Some cheaper models can “kinda” sharpen your knife, but can easily do more harm than good. Whatever system you choose, start on some less expensive knives to learn on, and practice before you sharpen your favorites. Have fun, and make ‘em sharp, because only sharp knives are interesting.