Best Hunting Knife Sharpeners of 2025

Paul Tilton Avatar
Paul Tilton
Last Updated: Jan 14, 2025

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Hunting knife sharpeners are essential tools for any outdoorsman or hunter. These sharpeners are designed to keep knives sharp and ready for use in the field. They come in a variety of styles, including handheld sharpeners, sharpening stones, and electric sharpeners. Handheld sharpeners are compact and easy to use, while sharpening stones require a bit more skill and practice. Electric sharpeners are ideal for those who need to sharpen knives quickly and efficiently. No matter which type of hunting knife sharpener you choose, it's important to keep your knives sharp to ensure a safe and successful hunting trip.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener Cover #TOP 1
Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener
ftb score rating icon 9.9
SHARPAL 101N 6-In-1 Pocket Knife Sharpener & Survival Tool Cover #TOP 2
SHARPAL 101N 6-In-1 Pocket Knife Sharpener & Survival Tool
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Lansky BladeMedic Pocket Knife Sharpener Cover #TOP 3
Lansky BladeMedic Pocket Knife Sharpener
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Hunting Knife Sharpeners

#TOP 1

Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener

WSGFS221
Black
One Size
Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener Cover
Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener, Compact Travel Hunting Knife Sharpener Tool

The Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener is designed for sportsmen who need a compact and complete field sharpening solution. With diamond plates, ceramic rods, leather strop, and sharpening guides, it provides a fast, easy, and consistent sharpening solution for knives and camp tools. The purpose-built 20° angle guide ensures consistent blade edge angles while the five abrasive steps provide a complete sharpening solution. It is compact, durable, and requires no tools, assembly, or set-up.

What We Like
Compact and portable design
Includes multiple sharpening tools
Easy to clean and maintain
Built-in angle guides for beginners
Affordable and good value
What We Don't Like
Tricky for larger knives
#TOP 2

SHARPAL 101N 6-In-1 Pocket Knife Sharpener & Survival Tool

101N
Orange / Black
One Size
SHARPAL 101N 6-In-1 Pocket Knife Sharpener & Survival Tool Cover
SHARPAL 101N 6-In-1 Pocket Knife Sharpener & Survival Tool, with Fire Starter Ferro Rod, Whistle & Diamond Sharpening Rod, Quickly Repair, Restore and Hone Straight and Serrated Blade

The SHARPAL 101N Pocket Knife Sharpener & Survival Tool is a portable and versatile EDC field survival knife sharpener with six functions. It includes durable abrasives and superior sharpening performance, with CARBIDE and CERAMIC abrasives that can pass 10,000 times field use test. It is easy to use, not only for straight edge but also serrated knife. It also comes with a 3-year warranty and superior after-sale service for customer satisfaction.

What We Like
Versatile and compact design
Effective for multiple blade types
Includes fire starter and whistle
Great value for the price
Durable and easy to use
What We Don't Like
May not provide smooth finish
Not ideal for left-handed users
#TOP 3

Lansky BladeMedic Pocket Knife Sharpener

3143
Black
One Size
Lansky BladeMedic Pocket Knife Sharpener Cover
Lanksy Blademedic 4-in-1 Knife Sharpener - PSMED01

The Lansky PS-MED01 BladeMedic is a 4-in-1 knife sharpening kit that can easily recondition all types of blades, including regular or serrated, gut hooks, and more. It features tungsten carbide and ceramic 'V's, a serration sharpener, and a tapered diamond rod. With tungsten carbide, you only need three or four strokes to restore your blade, and ceramic sharpening rods smooth the edge with the same number of strokes. The serrated knife sharpener is designed to get inside even the smallest serrations, making it a must-have tool for hunting knife sharpeners.

What We Like
Compact and portable design
Easy to use
Effective for serrated blades
Multiple sharpening options
Durable metal construction
What We Don't Like
Minor vulnerability of serrated ceramic hone
#TOP 4

Smith’s PP1 Pocket Pal Knife Sharpener

Gray
Smith’s PP1 Pocket Pal Knife Sharpener Cover
Smith's PP1 Pocket Pal Knife Sharpener Preset Carbide & Ceramic Stone Sharpeners Fold-Out Diamond Coated Rod Outdoor Hunting Knife & Hook Sharpener, Handheld, Compact, Lightweight, Multiuse

The Smith's PP1 Pocket Pal Knife Sharpener is a compact and lightweight handheld sharpener, perfect for outdoor hunting. It features a tapered round diamond coated rod for sharpening serrated and standard edges. The coarse carbide slot quickly sets your edge, while the fine ceramic slot gives you a razor sharp edge. The sharpener also has a reversible and replaceable carbide and ceramic stones, and preset sharpening angles provide guaranteed results. Additionally, the sharpener has a lanyard hole for easy carrying.

What We Like
Compact and portable design
Effective on dull knives
Multiple sharpening options
Easy to use for anyone
What We Don't Like
Small gripping area
Requires finger endurance
#TOP 5

Work Sharp Pocket Knife Sharpener

WSGPS-W
Black
Pocket
Work Sharp Pocket Knife Sharpener Cover
Work Sharp Portable Pocket and Hunting Knife Sharpener, WSGPS-W

The Work Sharp WSGPS-W Pocket Knife Sharpener is a compact and precise sharpening tool that can be used anywhere, whether in the field, home or shop. It features angle guides of 20° on the 320 grit diamond plate and a 25° on the fine ceramic rod, making it easy to sharpen knives with speed and ease. The sharpener requires no assembly and is self-contained, which makes it easy to carry around. Work Sharp is a proud American company with over 40 years of experience in engineering industry-leading sharpening tools in the USA.

What We Like
Compact and lightweight design
Easy to use for beginners
Effective for various knife types
Quickly sharpens and hones edges
Good customer support experience
What We Don't Like
Not truly pocket-sized
Diamond side not removable
#TOP 6

Lansky Deluxe Knife Sharpening System

LKCLX
1 Pack
Lansky Deluxe Knife Sharpening System Cover
Lansky Deluxe 5-Stone Sharpening System

The Lansky Deluxe Knife Sharpening System is perfect for sharpening kitchen, outdoor, hobby, or garden knives. It includes five stones with different grits, a heavy-duty polymer replica, finger-grooved safety holders, specially formulated honing oil, and a custom-molded storage/carrying case. The color-coded stones make it easy to identify the right grit, while the knife clamp ensures precision sharpening.

What We Like
Affordable price
Produces very sharp edges
User-friendly with practice
Effective for various knife types
Improves knife longevity
What We Don't Like
Cumbersome setup process
Stand sold separately
#TOP 7

Smith's Pocket Pal Knife Sharpener

50979
Black
Smith's Pocket Pal Knife Sharpener Cover
Smith’s 50979 Pocket Pal Tactical Knife Sharpener - Black - 2 Stage Sharpener & Diamond Sharpening Rod - Pocket Clip - Outdoor Hunting Knife & Hook Sharpener - Compact & Lightweight

The Smith's Pocket Pal Knife Sharpener is a compact and versatile tool designed for hunters. It features a carbide sharpening slot for coarse sharpening and a ceramic slot for fine sharpening. The diamond-coated sharpening rod allows you to sharpen serrated blades. Its G10 handle and lanyard hole make it easy to carry with you on the go.

What We Like
Compact and easy to use
Good quality and price
Sharpens well on various blades
Great for small knives
Effective at removing nicks
What We Don't Like
Potential quality control issues
Can be clumsy to handle
#TOP 8

Smith's 51176 Stainless Steel Knife Sharpener

51176
Yellow
Smith's 51176 Stainless Steel Knife Sharpener Cover
Smith’s 51176 Stainless Steel 2-Step Knife Sharpener | Yellow | Preset Coarse & Fine Slots | Outdoor Handheld Knife Sharpener | Fishing, Hunting, Filet, Pocket Knives | Portable Compact Keychain Tool

The Smith's 2-Step Sharpener is an essential tool for anyone who needs to keep their knives in top condition. With its dual sharpening stages, it effortlessly sharpens both dull and already sharp knives, making it perfect for fillet, pocket, and hunting knives. You can expect guaranteed results thanks to the preset angles of its tungsten carbide blades and ceramic rods. Its compact size means you can easily carry it in your pocket or tackle box, ensuring you always have it on hand for your outdoor adventures. Plus, the non-slip rubber feet provide added safety while sharpening.

What We Like
Easy to use
Effective sharpening
Solid metal construction
Clip-on design
#TOP 9

Outdoor Edge Edge-X

SX-100
Black
One Size
Outdoor Edge Edge-X Cover
Outdoor Edge Edge-X, Pocket Sized 2-Stage Carbide/Ceramic Abrasive Knife Sharpener with Folding X-Base that Improves Stability for all Outdoor and Kitchen Knives

The Outdoor Edge Edge-X, also known as the Outdoor Edge Knife Sharpener, is a pocket-sized 2-stage carbide/ceramic abrasive sharpener that is perfect for shaping and maintaining a razor-sharp edge on all your outdoor and kitchen knives. It features coarse tungsten carbide bits that quickly reshape a dull blade, and fine ceramic rods that finish the blade to a universal 22 degree angle razor's edge. The sharpener also includes a pivoting X-base, which folds out to improve safety and stability, making it easy and convenient to use. With dimensions of 1.6 x 3.9 x 0.7 inches and weighing only 1.2 ounces, this compact sharpener is ideal for on-the-go use. Plus, with Outdoor Edge's service for life, you can be confident in the quality and durability of this product.

What We Like
Easy to use
Compact and portable
Effective for everyday knives
Stable design
Affordable price
What We Don't Like
Grippy section may distract
Carbide side removes metal quickly
#TOP 10

Smith's 50981 Pocket Pal Knife Sharpener

50981
OD Green
Smith's 50981 Pocket Pal Knife Sharpener Cover
Smith’s 50981 Pocket Pal Tactical Knife Sharpener - OD Green - 2 Stage Sharpener & Diamond Sharpening Rod - Pocket Clip - Outdoor Hunting Knife & Hook Sharpener - Compact & Lightweight

The Smith's 50981 Pocket Pal Knife Sharpener is a handy tool for sharpening your hunting knife. It features both a ceramic (fine) and carbide (coarse) sharpening slot, a diamond coated sharpening rod, and a lanyard hole for easy carry. The G10 handle adds durability and ensures a comfortable grip.

What We Like
Compact and portable design
Effective for maintaining knife edges
Durable construction
Lightweight for everyday carry
What We Don't Like
Not the best value
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can you use a kitchen knife sharpener for a hunting knife?

No, most electric sharpeners designed for kitchen cutlery are not suitable for hunting knives. Hunting knives have thicker blades that require different sharpening techniques and tools.

2. Do V shaped knife sharpeners work?

V-shaped sharpeners have a flaw in maintaining even pressure throughout the sharpening process. This can cause a straight edge to become recurved by removing too much material from the heel of the blade and not enough from the rest of the blade.

3. Are pull through knife sharpeners any good?

Pull-through sharpeners are popular due to their quick and precise sharpening. However, they tend to remove a significant amount of metal, which can weaken the durability of knives.

4. What angle are most hunting knives sharpened?

Hunting knives used for cutting tougher materials are typically sharpened to an angle between 22 and 30 degrees. This angle provides the necessary durability for hunting tasks.

5. What degree do you hold a knife to sharpen?

Most kitchen knives, pocket knives, and outdoor knives are sharpened at a 17 to 20 degree angle. Japanese knives may be sharpened to around 17 degrees, while western knives are usually around 20 degrees.

6. What should you not do when sharpening a knife?

Avoid using knife systems or devices to sharpen your blade, as they can chew up the edge unevenly and scratch the blade's surface. Belt sharpening is also not recommended. Instead, opt for using a whetstone for a more even and effective sharpening process.

7. Are diamond sharpeners better than stone?

Diamond sharpeners are known for cutting faster than other abrasives of the same grit. However, in finer grits, diamond stones may create deeper scratches compared to waterstones. This is because diamonds don't wear as smoothly.

8. Is a stone or a knife sharpener better?

While sharpeners may seem more sophisticated, whetstones provide a more precise and perfect result. Whetstones are capable of creating a fine edge and sharp blade that surpasses what sharpeners can achieve. However, using whetstones requires technique and practice.

Editor's Notes

During our hunting knife sharpener research, we found 24 hunting knife sharpener products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 402,291 customer reviews through our big data system to write the hunting knife sharpeners list. We found that most customers choose hunting knife sharpeners with an average price of $14.31.

The hunting knife sharpeners are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of hunting knife sharpeners, including WORK SHARP, SHARPAL, Lansky, Smith's, OUTDOOR EDGE. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 1,237 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Written by
Paul Tilton Avatar

Paul Tilton is a fitness enthusiast. He doesn't like to work in front of a computer screen so he quit his job and runs a gym in Washington. He spent a lot of time on the road and has been a contributing writer for a well-known travel guide website. He is now happy to share his travel experience and professional knowledge of travel gear and fitness here.

Hunting Knife Sharpeners Comparison Table

#TOP1
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#TOP3
#TOP4
#TOP5
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#TOP8
#TOP9
#TOP10
Brand WORK SHARP SHARPAL Lansky Smith's WORK SHARP Lansky Smith's Smith's OUTDOOR EDGE Smith's
Color Black Orange / Black Black Gray Black Red Black Yellow Black OD Green
Item Weight 0.35 Pounds 0.15 Pounds 100 Grams 0.02 Pounds 1.6 Ounces 1.43 Pounds 0.23 Pounds 0.14 Pounds 0.1 Pounds 0.31 Pounds
Grit Type Coarse, Fine Fine,Medium,Coarse Fine Coarse,Fine Fine Extra Coarse, Medium, Fine, Ultra Fine Coarse,Fine Medium Coarse,Fine Coarse,Fine
Material Diamond and Ceramic Sharpener Tungsten carbide, Ceramic, Monocrystalline Diamonds tungsten, ceramic, and diamond tapered Plastic Ceramic Ceramic Plastic Plastic Plastic -
Global Trade Identification Number 00788857026472, 00662949038751 00814744020015 00080999097601 00738600467366 00662949039628 00080999041000 00027925509791 - 00743404301402 00027925509814
Department unisex unisex-adult unisex-adult Tools - - - - unisex-adult -
FTB Score
ftb score rating icon 9.9
ftb score rating icon 9.8
ftb score rating icon 9.6
ftb score rating icon 9.6
ftb score rating icon 9.6
ftb score rating icon 9.5
ftb score rating icon 9.4
ftb score rating icon 9.3
ftb score rating icon 9.3
ftb score rating icon 9.2
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