Pocket knives are handy tools that you will find in almost every man’s pocket. They are great for people who are into hunting and other outdoor activities. Pocket knives are easily accessible and this makes them useful in different activities. They can be used to carve wood, open food packages and cutting boxes among other uses.
Considering all these functions, there is nothing good that you can do with a dull pocket knife. I made this guide to help you know how to sharpen a pocket knife the right way. I have also reviewed some quality pocket knife sharpeners that you can consider buying.
Prepare The Whetstone
After selecting the right stone, the next thing that you need to do is to lubricate the stone. For whetstone, you need to soak the stone in water for about 5 minutes. For other stones, you can buy mineral oil for lubrication. Why do you need to lubricate? The main reason why you need to lubricate the stone before sharpening is to prevent clogging the pores of the stone from clogging up with grit. Additionally, lubrication reduces the heat that is caused by friction when sharpening the knife.
Position The Knife at The Proper Angle Against The Stone
Position your pocket knife at the right angle on the sharpening stone. The blade should face away from you at the right bevel angle. Hold your knife in the same position for some time if you are sharpening for the first time. You might find this challenging but when you get used, it is simple.
Glide your knife along the stone swiping it down and off the sharpening stone. Repeat this process several times until you get a sharp edge. In most cases, up to 12 times will be great. If you have a curved blade or a blade that is longer than the sharpening stone, sweep it down and across the stone to sharpen it completely.
Flip your knife over to sharpen the other side. You can do this up to 8 times until you get a sharp edge.
Finding The Angle of Your Bevel
You need to identify the bevel angle of the blade and for most pocket knives, it is between 25-30 degrees. If you do not know how to identify the right angle, you can seek help in your local shop or online.
Sharpening Stones Reviews
Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Sharpening Stone 2 Side Grit 400/1000 | Knife Sharpener
This is an affordable knife sharpener that is designed with a non-slip rubber base. It works well in sharpening dull knives hence giving you a sharp edge for easy and fast cutting. It is a multi-purpose sharpening stone that you can use for scissors, chisel, axes, sword and much more.
This sharpening stone is dual sided. It is made of a top-notch silicon carbide dual side that offers a perfect grit combination when you are sharpening dull knives. Whether you are a chef, outdoor lover or a camper, you will love this sharpening stone.
- KING KW65 1000/6000 Grit Combination Whetstone with Plastic Base
If you need a quality sharpening stone that is affordable, the KING KW65 will be a great purchase. The sharpening stone is designed with a sturdy plastic base that provides the right stability when you are sharpening. It provides you with two stones in one. It has a course 800 grit side to sharpen nicked and dull blades and a 4000 grit side that polishes hones to achieve a shiny and sharp edge.
When using this sharpening stone, you need to soak it in water and make sure that you keep it wet when using.
- Victorinox Pocket Knife Sharpener (Clam Pack), Black
Having a dull blade can be difficult to work with and also risks your safety. Get the Victorinox Pocket Knife Sharpener to keep your dull blades sharp all the time. The sharpener helps you get a sharp knife just like you bought it. It is one of the most compact and sturdy knife sharpeners that you can carry in your pocket.
This sharpener is made by a quality company in Germany that specializes in making pocket knives and multi-tools. It features ceramic disc for pre-sharpening and honing stone to help you get fine edges.
- PriorityChef Knife Sharpener for Straight and Serrated Knives
Do you want a high quality and convenient knife sharpener? PriorityChef Knife Sharpener can be a great addition in your kitchen. This is a reliable sharpener that will help you keep your knives sharp. Not only is this knife sharpener stylish but it is also designed with a durable construction to provide a durable performance.
The sharpener is safe and very simple to use. You can achieve razor-sharp blades in less time. It features a non-slip cushion at the bottom to provide stability when you are sharpening. You can use this sharpener with all types of blades. With this sharpener, you don’t need to spend money replacing your blades. You can bring them back to life through effective sharpening.
- Presto 08810 Professional Electric Knife Sharpener
If you want to make sharpening easier, get the Presto knife sharpener that provides you with 3 stage sharpening system. The sharpener is easy to use and it gives you professional results. It features a strong plastic construction that makes it durable. This sharpener can be used to sharpen kitchen and outdoor knives with ease. The blades are interchangeable to offer you with the right sharpening angles to meet your needs.
How Many Sharpening Techniques Are There?
There are three different ways in which you can use to sharpen your knife. They include using a stone, steel and honing rod. Check their brief summaries below.
Sharpen It on a Stone
This is probably the most common method that many people use to sharpen pocket knives. There are different types of sharpening stones that you can use depending on the one that you love. Regardless of the type of stone that you use, you should make sure that your stone is 2×6 inches so that you can make your work easier.
Clean your knife: Make sure you clean your knife before you sharpen.
Get sharp: Follow the instruction that you receive with your sharpening stone so that you can sharpen well.
Clean up: Once you are through with sharpening, clean up your knife.
Hon It on Steel
Steel can also be used to sharpen knives that get blunt easily as a result of frequent use.
Grip the steel: Grip the steel well with your left hand and then grasp the blade with your right hand touching the steel. Pull the knife backward and towards you and do a few strokes an then turn the other side of the blade.
Sharpening With a Honing Rod
These rods are also referred to ad sharpening steel and they also work well in sharpening pocket knives. Hold the rod using its handle and make sure you hold it straight up and down so that it is vertical. Find the right bevel angle and swipe the knife along the rod. Turn your knife and do the same on the other side. If you have a dull knife, then you need to swipe several times. But if it is sharp, just swipe it a couple of times and you are done.
Tips for Sharpening Knives
- Always know your blade angle
- In as much as diamond and ceramic are superior, I would recommend you to start with a whetstone because it is easy to learn how to sharpen.
- Ensure you prep your stone before sharpening
- Start with the right grit and know when to switch to finer stone
- Always sharpen your knives before they get dull
Conclusion
The above are some of the ways in which you can sharpen your pocket knife. I have given you enough tips that will help you to sharpen the right way. You can also pick a quality knife sharpener from the top picks reviewed above to meet your needs. With any of these knife sharpeners, you don’t have to work with dull blades anymore. You can maintain a sharp edge all the time to make using your knife fast and easier.