Pocket knives are a staple tool to carry with you when it comes to any kind of outdoor survival situation, whether it be camping, bushcraft, hiking, fishing, or hunting.
If you’re someone who uses one quite often, you’ll need a sharpening tool to make sure your blade is as sharp as ever. That’s where your pocket knife sharpeners come in.
These knife sharpeners aren’t like regular ones. They are pocket sharpeners that are generally compact, lightweight, and portable enough to slip into your bag’s pocket when you’re out in the wild.
This buyer guide is a list of the 10 best pocket knife sharpeners that you can get in 2022.
Read our pocket knife sharpener article to know more!
Things to Consider Before Choosing the Best Pocket Knife Sharpener
Cost
Most knife sharpeners are available at reasonable prices so there’s no real reason to get one at a steep price especially since reasonable prices don’t automatically mean low quality when it comes to pocket knife sharpeners. The knife sharpeners mentioned in this best pocket knife sharpener article range from less than $10 to a little over $20. The Victorinox sharpener is understandably the most expensive while the Sungwoo Pocket Knife Sharpener is the most budget-friendly.
Some will offer a 1-year limited warranty like the Lansky Quadsharp Tool but most won’t so don’t expect a lifetime warranty. They are quite easy to maintain so you won’t have to replace them any time soon unless you lose one in the wild. This frees you up to spend more on your other outdoor gear.
Effectiveness
This is arguably the most important thing to consider when you’re buying yourself the best pocket knife sharpener and survival tool. A well-made tool that uses quality materials is important since you’re counting on it to enhance another important tool of yours.
If you use a low-quality sharpener, it may damage your knife and you may be left with more problems than you started with. It should also do its job efficiently since you’re technically shaving metal off when sharpening different types of knives.
If one is available, look for a sharpener that will perform multiple functions like sharpening and honing.
Extra Features
Although a knife sharpener that does the job efficiently and optimally is great, there’s nothing wrong with expecting a little more out of it.
Tools with additional features on top of their main function are definitely more useful than tools that are just for sharpening. While having bonus features is nice, however, remember that your best pocket knife sharpener needs to do its primary job well before all else. After all, a below-average knife sharpener with cool features like a fire starter won’t do you any good when the time comes to restore the razor sharpness of your blade.
1. Smith’s PP1 Pocket Pal Knife Sharpener
Key Features
First up is Smith’s PP1 Pocket Pal knife sharpener. This weighs around 0.353 ounces and measures 3.5 x 1 x 0.01 inches. It has a plastic casing which keeps its weight on the lower side.
This best pocket knife sharpener comes with three sharpening options – fine, coarse, and honing. You get two sharpening stone slots, one made of carbide and the other of ceramic. The carbide sharpener plates help you give a sharp edge to a dull knife or damaged blades.
Smith's Abrasives PP1 hunting-knife-sharpeners
$10.57 in stock
The ceramic slot sharpener plates, on the other hand, give a polished edge to already sharp knives. It has an abrasion level of 600 grit.
The greatest part about this best pocket knife sharpener is that both sets of plates are reversible as well as replaceable, which means you can just switch the blades over time while keeping the main body.
For honing, it features a tapered diamond rod that can be used to sharpen serrated knives and standard edge knives. It has an abrasion level of 400 grit.
Pros
- Super lightweight
- Three modes of sharpening
- Durable & replaceable sharpening surfaces
Cons
- The small size makes it difficult to use for people with larger hands
- Not waterproof
2. Work Sharp Pocket Knife Sharpener
Key Features
Another best pocket knife sharpener on this list is the pocket knife sharpener from Work Sharp. It measures 0.5 x 1.75 x 6.5 inches and weighs 1.6 ounces.
This may be a compact knife sharpener but it packs a punch when it comes to its features. It has been designed perfectly to help you sharpen your tool on the go with ease.
This is a best pocket knife sharpener because it has a different design compared to other types of sharpeners. It has two sides — one with the diamond plate for sharpening steel, and the other with fine ceramic stones for honing. Both can be used to sharpen straight knives as well as serrated blades.
The diamond plates have an abrasive level of 320 grits and an angle guide that keeps knives at 20-degree angles. The in-built guide helps you create a consistent angle every time you sharpen your knife blade which is especially useful if you have a knife with a serrated edge.
The ceramic honing rods, on the other hand, provide the perfect honing surfaces with their 25-degree angle guide.
The compact design and sturdy materials used in this best pocket knife sharpener make durable and it easy to carry around. It is the perfect tool to carry with you when you go fishing, hunting, camping, or bushcrafting.
Pros
- Compact design makes it easy to carry anywhere
- Helpful angle guide on the sharpening blades to help you achieve the proper angle
- Quickly sharpens your blade
Cons
- The diamond sharpener may be too rough at the beginning
- No protection from accidental cuts
3. Housolution Pocket Knife Sharpener
Key Features
One of the best pocket knife sharpeners on the market is the Housolution Pocket Knife Sharpener . It measures 7 x 2.5 x 0.6 cm and weighs a little over an ounce. Its lightweight nature and compact size make it the perfect portable sharpener for any trip.
The standout feature of this best pocket knife sharpener is its made from a durable tungsten steel material that is wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant. The tool does not deform easily over time, ensuring a durable build quality.
The tungsten blade comes in a V-shaped slot and has preset sharpening angles or edge angles that let you sharpen your blades conveniently and easily.
This best pocket knife sharpener features a circular comfortable handle that you can hold onto while sharpening steel to avoid getting accidentally cut by your own blade.
The lanyard buckle design lets you attach this portable sharpener to your bag or a keychain so you can easily carry it when you go camping or are anywhere outdoors.
Pros
- Compact and convenient lanyard buckle design
- Durable build quality, v-shaped sharpening plate
- Corrosion-resistant material
- Comfortable handle
Cons
- Non-reversible blades
- Not many sharpening modes
4. Lansky QuadSharp Tool
Key Features
If you’re looking for versatility, this is the best pocket knife sharpener for you. From the makers who brought us the Lansky BladeMedic and the Lansky Deluxe Knife Sharpening System comes the Lansky QuadSharp which measures 4.25 x 0.5 x 2.25 inches and weighs around 4 ounces.
This best pocket knife sharpener has multiple carbide sharpening slots for different types of pocket knives. The four pre-set sharpening angles of 17, 20, 25, and 30 degrees provide different kinds of edges (the steeper the angle, the more razor-sharp the edge).
Lansky QuadSharp QSHARP
The carbide slots will generally sharpen your knife in 3 to 4 strokes (results vary depending on how dull or blunt your knife is).
The tool features a ceramic benchstone that provides a fine finished edge for all your favorite blades. It is around 2 inches long and has an abrasive strength of 800 grit, which ensures a durable build quality and a long service life.
This best pocket knife sharpener is quite efficient for getting a razor-sharp edge on your regular blades or knives with serrated edges, or even on fillet knives and outdoor knives with its optimal sharpening angles.
If you have other Lansky products, the QuadSharp Tool is 100% compatible with the different kits and accessories from the same brand.
Pros
- Multiple sharpening angle slots offer versatility
- Durable polishing bench stone
- Quick edge sharpener
Con
- Can feel a bit heavy compared to other sharpeners
5. Wusthof 2 Stage Keyring Knife Sharpener
Key Features
Next up is the Wusthof 2899 2 Stage Keyring Knife Sharpener which features a simple yet effective design to keep your knife blade sharp and polished at all times.
This best pocket knife sharpener measures 7.5 x 4 x 2 centimeters and weighs approximately 0.7 ounces. The lightweight and compact design make it extremely portable and convenient to carry on your trips.
Wusthof 2-Stage Pocket Knife Sharpener
The keyring style design makes it easy to carry daily. The sharpening tool comes with twin carbide blades with dual grit. The coarse slot has an abrasive surface that gives a rougher, coarser finish while the other one is a finer grit.
The coarse carbide plate is helpful to set the edge of dull blades that haven’t been sharpened for years. It can keep your blades sharp with around a dozen swipes at a 90-degree angle.
On the other hand, the fine plate gives a professional fine cutting edge to blades that aren’t as old and fairly sharp. It helps keep your knife of choice from dulling faster over time, which is why it is one of the best pocket knife sharpeners.
Pros
- Multi-use
- Durable material used
- Easily fit in any bag or pocket
- Non-slip rubber grips on the sharpener give you better stability
Con
- Limited sharpening modes
6. AccuSharp 4-in-1 Knife and Tool Sharpener
Key Features
If you want to have a tool that gets the basic job done efficiently, the AccuSharp 4-in-1 Knife and Tool Sharpener is a great option. It measures 5 x 5 x 5 inches. At 0.16 ounces, it’s the lightest tool on this list.
The AccuSharp Knife Sharpener is a complete sharpening solution packed into one compact unit.
AccuSharp 4-in-1 Knife and Tool Sharpener
This best pocket knife sharpener features coarse tungsten carbide blades that can help you give a sharp edge to your knife of choice. It comes with a fine ceramic rod that’s perfect for honing and polishing your blades.
It also has foldable diamond sharpeners that can be used for precision sharpening, and a rod to help with your fish hook grooves and darts. It has a very polished finish with a comfortable handle made of molded rubber to help you hold it steady while you’re using it.
Pros
- Reasonable price
- Multi-use
- Lightweight and compact
Con
- Features a rough grit, not recommended for high-end knives but works better for cheap knives
7. Fallkniven DC3 Diamond/Ceramic Sharpening Stone
Key Features
The next sharpening tool on this buyer guide is the Fallkniven DC3 Diamond/Ceramic Sharpening Stone, a great option for those who prefer to use flat stones for keeping their knives sharp. It measures 7.5 x 2.5 x 0.7 centimeters and weighs just 1.58 ounces.
This best pocket knife sharpener comes with a double-sided flat surface that features a 25-micron (equivalent to about 800-grit) diamond stone on one side and a 15-micron (1200-grit) ceramic stone.
While the former helps you hone a dull edge back to its former glory, the latter gives it a very sharp edge. In terms of giving your blades a razor-sharp edge like no other, this tool definitely stands out from the rest.
The sharpening tool requires little to no maintenance and you don’t need any lubrication while using them. All you have to do is clean it with warm water from time to time.
This best pocket knife sharpener also comes with a little hole that you can attach a lanyard keychain to so that you can easily hold it while it’s in use. You also get a small leather storage pouch whose backside doubles up as a leather strap for your blade.
Pros
- Small and compact, easy to carry
- Powerful and excellent sharpener for those who prefer a flat stone
- Very little maintenance required
Con
- Rough grit, possibly too coarse for some blades
- Can’t attach it to your keyring
8. Sungwoo Pocket Knife Sharpener
Key Features
The pocket knife sharpener & survival tool from Sungwoo is another popular model for those who love taking their outdoor knives with them. It measures 5 x 1.2 x 0.6 inches when folded and 8.9 x 1.2 x 0.6 inches when fully opened. It is fairly lightweight at 2.8 ounces, but other tools are known to be lighter than this one.
This best pocket knife sharpener features a double-sided design with two sharpening surfaces made of durable titanium-plated diamond stone. One side has an abrasive level of 400 grit for coarse honing and the other side has a 600-grit stone used for fine honing.
Its best feature is its folding design which makes it easy to carry on trips and makes it bigger than most knife sharpeners in this category. It also helps protect the stones when they aren’t in use.
The ABS handle is an ergonomic handle that provides an easy and comfortable grip.
Pros
- Convenient compact folding design
- Features two sharpening stones
- Can be used for a variety of knives whether it be standard edge knives, kitchen knives, assisted-open knives, garden tools, or other types of pocket knife
- Easy to hold
Con
- A bit heavier than other pocket knife sharpeners
9. DMT F70F Diamond Mini Knife Sharpener
Key Features
Next on our buyer guide is another best pocket knife sharpener that’s quite a steal with its solid quality, affordable price, and size. The DMT F70F Diamond Mini Knife Sharpener weighs just 1.28 ounces and measures 8.39 x 3.46 x 0.51 inches.
The tool features a high-quality monocrystalline diamond stone that gives your knife of choice a fine-grit razor-sharp edge faster than conventional stones.
DMT Diamond Mini-Sharp Portable Pocket Knife Sharpener
Its primary standout feature is the Diamond Machining Technology (DMT) which makes sure the tool stays consistent for years, ensuring an effective sharpening process even after years of use.
The foldable and lightweight design makes the tool ultra-portable. It also protects the stone when not in use.
The durable build quality of the surface means you can also use it on some garden tools if needed.
Pros
- Solid quality, tough and durable build
- Lightweight and foldable design makes it highly portable
Con
- Doesn’t come with pre-set angles
10. Victorinox Pocket Knife Sharpener
Key Features
The final sharpener in our best pocket knife sharpener article is from Victorinox, popularly known as the manufacturer of the world-famous Swiss Army Knife. Just like their knives, Victorinox’s knife sharpener doesn’t disappoint.
It measures a modest 5 x 0.7 x 0.7 inches and weighs just 1.41 ounces. It has a very convenient slim, pen-shaped design that makes it easy to carry even though it’s longer than most pocket-sized sharpeners.
Victorinox Handheld Manual Knife Sharpener
$25.16 in stock
This best pocket knife sharpener also comes with a red and black case, which looks great (much like most of their products) so you get good utility and good looks packed into one product.
The tool from Victorinox works as a dual-function knife sharpener. It includes a honing stone that you can use before sharpening, and ceramic discs to get that fine cutting edge on your knives.
Pros
- Slim, aesthetic design
- Useful for larger knives as well
- Can be carried in your pocket easily
Con
- Made of plastic, may not be as durable as other knife sharpeners
Wrapping Up the Best Pocket Knife Sharpener
Having a sharp knife, especially when you’re on a camping or bushcraft trip, is very important since a lot of your activities (and in some cases, survival) will be dependent on that tool. Hence, you need to select the best pocket knife sharpener for your pocket knife to bring along.
Getting a proper, efficient knife sharpener is critical for any outdoor adventure. You also have to know that there is no single best pocket knife sharpener, but rather one that’s best suited for you.
There are other tools in the market like electric sharpeners, but these are too coarse or bulky for smaller pocket knives.
We hope this article was useful in helping you find a pocket knife sharpener & survival tool that fits your needs and budget. While you’re here, check out this Ultimate Guide to Survival Knives.