Best Knife Sharpening Systems

Finding the right sharpener to fit all of your sharpening needs is a decision that you may need a little help with, so, I’ve made it easy. Here are my recommendations.

Ridge Runner Knife Sharpener

Perfect for your kitchen, the Ridge Runner Knife Sharpener is designed to keep a sharp edge on both single and double-edged knives. The sharpening wheels are super-hardened, alloyed metal and high-quality ceramic for coarse and fine sharpening. The impact-resistant, ABS housing has a handle to grip and hold the sharpener down on a flat surface while using it, making it easy to use even for beginners. It’s sized perfectly to sit on your counter without taking up much space or to put in a drawer. Every kitchen should have a Ridge Runner Sharpener!
Key Features:

1. It is suitable for sharpening both single and double-edged knives, offering coarse and fine sharpening.
2. It has a handle to grip and hold the sharpener down on a flat surface while using it, making it easy to use.
3. It’s sized perfectly to sit on your counter without taking up much space or to put in a drawer.

Sharpen It Up Knife Sharpener

Now, if you’re looking for a compact and easy-to-carry knife sharpener, this one gives you an entire sharpening kit right in your pocket. The Sharpen It Up Knife Sharpener is a conveniently compact tool you can carry with you to make sure that your knives stay razor-sharp wherever you are. A few strokes on the tungsten carbide will give immediate first aid to your extra-dull blade and the ceramic sharpening rods will polish it to a razor’s edge. When you just need quick maintenance and reconditioning of your blade, the fold-out diamond tapered rod does the trick. The mini sharpener repairs and hones a variety of knives quickly and easily and the convenient lanyard hole allows you to attach it anywhere you need it. It’s especially perfect to include with your camping and survival gear.
Key Features:

1. A compact and easy-to-carry knife sharpener that gives you an entire sharpening kit right in your pocket.
2. The tungsten carbide gives first aid to an extra-dull blade and the ceramic sharpening rods polish to a razor-edge.
3. The fold-out diamond tapered rod offers quick maintenance and reconditioning of your blade.

Max Edge Mini Two-Step

Another sharpener that’s lightweight and compact, making it perfect for camping, fishing, hunting and everyday carry is the Max Edge Mini Two-Step. I really like this one because it offers a quick, foolproof way to hone your knife blade to a razor’s edge the first time, every time. With preset angles and two sharpening options in one handy tool, it features rubber grip pads to hold it firmly in place while sharpening. The sharpener has a set of two tungsten carbide blades and a set of two ceramic rods, each crossed at an ideal angle for giving blades a perfect edge every time. Just three or four strokes through the carbide blades, and extremely dull blades are restored to razor-sharp. Once the edge is restored, draw it through the crossed ceramic rods for a smooth, finely honed finish. Sharpening any type of knife just couldn’t get any easier.
Key Features:

1. A lightweight and compact, everyday carry sharpener that’s perfect for camping, fishing and hunting.
2. With preset angles and two sharpening options, it features rubber grip pads to hold it in place while sharpening.
3. The sharpener has a set of two tungsten carbide blades and a set of two ceramic rods crossed at an ideal angle.

Gatco Arkansas Tri-Hone Sharpening System

The Gatco Arkansas Tri-Hone Sharpening System is for those of you who are looking for a more traditional approach. This three-stone sharpening system has a 180-grit coarse silicon carbide stone for setting the bevel on dull blades, a 100-percent natural Arkansas medium stone (220 grit) for sharpening, and a 100-percent natural Arkansas fine stone (320 grit) for polishing to produce the ultimate razor-sharpness. The stones are mounted on a natural wooden triangle, which provides an elevated work surface, and honing oil is included with the system. The Gatco Tri-Hone System is an excellent choice for sharpening all sport, kitchen, DIY cutlery, plane blades, chisels and wood-carving instruments.
Key Features:

1. It has a coarse silicon carbide stone, a natural Arkansas medium stone and a natural Arkansas fine stone.
2. The three stones are mounted on a natural wooden triangle, which provides an elevated work surface.
3. It will sharpen survival knives, kitchen knives, DIY cutlery, plane blades, chisels and wood-carving instruments.

Kriegar Double-Sided Paddle Strop

If you’re looking for another traditional sharpening option, the Kriegar Double-Sided Paddle Strop is a great update to the old razor strop. It’s a smart design with two distinct stropping surfaces, which are an ultra-smooth, premium buffalo leather on one side and a coarser suede on the other. These contrasting surfaces allow for graduated stropping, so that larger edge damage is removed by the rough suede and the smooth buffalo leather eliminates even the tiniest imperfections and hones the steel to an unequalled keenness. The solid, hardwood paddle provides support for larger, weightier blades, that a hanging strop may not be able to handle, and it has a lanyard hole so that it can be conveniently hung in your workspace. The solid surfaces are also ideal for applying abrasive compounds for honing, just like a whetstone.
Key Features:

1. An update on the razor-strop, this traditional sharpening option has two distinct stropping surfaces.
2. It has an ultra-smooth, premium buffalo leather on one side and a coarser suede on the other.
3. The solid, hardwood paddle provides support for larger, weightier blades and it has a lanyard hole.

How to Pick the Best Knife Sharpener

When choosing a knife sharpener, look for one that meets your specific sharpening needs. What type of blades are you going to sharpen the most and what kind of environment are you going to be sharpening them in? For example, are you looking a for a sharpener for your survival knives when you’re out on the trail or are you looking for a sharpener to keep your kitchen knives razor-sharp. Also, consider the effort that you’re willing to expend. A pull-through sharpener is going to be easier and quicker to use than a leather strop.