Best Hunting Knife Sharpener For Every Hunter In 2024

Once you’ve bought yourself the hunting knife that you have always wanted, it’s time to take good care of it. Sharpening it when dull is one of those maintenance steps that will add years of trouble-free use.

That means you need to find the best hunting knife sharpener from a myriad of choices.

Even seasoned hunters often fail to consider the importance of adding a good knife sharpener to their hunting gear and end up with a dull knife in the midst of nowhere that does no good to their endeavor.

We don’t want that you have the same experience and hence reviewed all types of knife sharpeners and championed the best.

See which one suits you well …

Best Hunting Knife Sharpeners You Can Buy Today

01 Lansky PS-MED01 BladeMedic (Editor’s Choice)

Why It Stands Out to Us?

For a hunter, having a tool with the capability to get quicker and more efficient results is a blessing. That’s the genre Lansky PS-MED01 BladeMedic is from.

Its ability to handle different kinds of blades, perfect angles, portability – everything is just over the top here.

From hunting to kitchen knives, there’s nothing this sharpener is not suited for.

Plus, with the level of ease it delivers, it’s tough to resist a tool like this to give your blade a butter-cutting edge. This is one of the best hunting knife sharpeners you can get your hands on.

Our Experience with the Lansky PS-MED01 BladeMedic

The first thing that made us love this product is the sharpening time. If you’re in the woods and roaming with a dull knife, then this one can get it sharp enough to cut almost anything.

And the time? It didn’t take more than 10-12 minutes of our time for that. Just 3 to 4 strokes were enough to get a dull blade back to life.

The level of struggle came down to zero when we thought of giving it a shot with a blurred blade. What helped there the most were the three different sharpeners.

Its carbide slot ensured getting an edge quicker than ever. We thought the waviness would give birth to some complaints there, but what the ceramic slot did on the polishing part didn’t give us that chance.

Plus, its serrated ceramic, which is also known as the bench stone, and the diamond tapered rod did a great job on the serrations.

We were amazed at how easily they were slipping into the smallest serrations.

The perfect sharpening angle is what we call the game changer for this one. Its ceramic and carbide slots come with a 22.5° fixed angle which is ideal for hunting knives.

Now, the biggest struggle with any aluminum sharpeners is the grip. Thankfully, this one prevented such situations for us as it has a textured surface along with a grip point.

What’s more, with a hole on, carrying it in our keyring became much easier. A fair share of credit goes to its smaller size and lightweight for that as well.

What We Didn’t Like

• It’s surely helpful with damaged blades, but that’s not the case when the damage is too bad.
• There’s no way to have variety in the sharpening angles.

Who Is It Great for

Anyone for serrated blades, standard blades, gut hooks, or fillet knives will love this one.

Plus, it’s the best knife sharpener for hunting knives on our list today. The Lansky PS-MED01 BladeMedic is perfect for those too who prefer carrying a sharpening tool in the wild for unpredictable moments.

Specifications

Pros

• Minimalistic design
• Textured surface
• Multiple slots
• Lightweight and small
• Easy to use
• Keyring compatible
• Wider blade compatibility
• Efficiency on serrations

Cons

• Takes more time in sharpening longer blades

02 Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone

Why It Stands Out to Us

We thought of giving something a bit more old-school a shot this time. So, it’s the Sharp Pebble Whetstone Knife Sharpener that showed up in our search in the first place.

It doesn’t matter if your blade needs any light sharpening or major recovery from serious damage, it can help with both.

Plus, this double-sided stone is so durable that even after years, you won’t need to think about getting another one. Even with zero experience, anyone can turn a blurred blade into a perfect cutter.

Our Experience with the Sharp Pebble Whetstone

What we loved the most about this double-sided stone is it just doesn’t care about the kind of blade we’ve got on our hand.

As it comes with both 6000 and 1000 grit, it can give you a knife not only a regular fine edge but push the level to finish edges. All you need to do is just turn the stone over.

When it comes to stones, keeping the angle right is more hassling than ever. But that has been eliminated just with the presence of an angle guide.

Once we put that on our knife, nothing could stop us from having a sharper blade this time.

It doesn’t ask for an experienced person. Anyone with zero ideas can use this piece. Still, we suggest going through a few tutorial videos to be sure about the dos and don’ts.

Along with that, getting it prepared for the action is also super convenient as you need to do nothing but soak it in the water for a while.

The bamboo base adds an extra drop of stability to the stone. But when we noticed closely, the base was a bit bigger than the stone.

Thankfully, there was a non-slip silicone stone holder that made it a perfect fit for the base.

On top of that, the base too came with a non-slip bottom. This is why the stone didn’t move while sharpening the blade, which to a huge extent, took the risk factor down.

We can’t help admitting that the stone is made to last. We don’t know about you, but we don’t think any other stones will be required for a long time to sharpen any blade once you’ve got one of these.

As the stone was sufficiently spacious, getting a problem sharpening wider blades was next to impossible.

So, rather than sticking to a few types of knives, it was easier for us to jump to anything that needs a sharp edge.

What We Didn’t Like

• It takes a little time to get prepared for that action as you’ll have to soak it in the water for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Carrying it around is not easy as the design doesn’t support portability like the handheld one.

Who Is It Great for

This stone is a great choice for anyone who’s got a dull knife in the house.

No matter what kind of blade collection you’ve got in there, whether it’s hunting or a kitchen knife, this stone can easily keep up.

What Could Be Improved and Why

Adding some instructions about using the angle guide would be great as it helps determine the right angle.

Specifications

Pros

• Easy to use
• Better blade compatibility
• Non-slip base
• Durable and sturdy
• Perfect angle
• Supports any blade
• Spacious sharpening area

Cons

• Requires longer prep time

03 Smith’s Abrasives PP1 hunting-knife-sharpeners

Why It Stands Out to Us

Efficiency has nothing to do with the size, and Smith’s Abrasives PP1 is the proof. Its ability to convert ‘not good enough’ blades into smooth cutting metal is simply amazing.

Compact design, efficient slots, perfect grit – you just name it, and this one has got all of them covered like it’s nothing.

Once you get this hunting knife sharpener, you’re free to forget the face of dull edges on all of your hunting knives for good.

Our Experience with the Smith’s Abrasives PP1

The sharpener is made to deal with both damaged and undamaged blades. Otherwise, we see no reason for having two different sharpening slots where one is coarse, and the other one is fine.

Now, the coarse one was simply flawless in getting damaged knives back into shape.

On the other hand, the fine one made our dull blades a worthy slicer once again.

Unfortunately, the sharpening slots are going to be of no use against serrated. But the tapered round rod with diamond coating showed us a way to get that part covered.

Even the smaller ones weren’t a big deal for it. That’s not all! It works perfectly on the standard edges too.

Clearly, sooner or later, the stones on the sharpener are going to fade and have to be thrown away.

Thankfully, you won’t have to go that alley as rather than throwing the entire sharpener, you can simply change the stones. After all, they’re both replaceable and reversible.

To have a slot on our keyring, this sharpener came with a Lanyard hole which made it easy for us to carry.

So, there’s no scope to regret leaving it behind when you need it the most in the wild or anywhere else.

Even if you put it in the bag or pocket, it won’t create an extra burden as it weighs a very small fraction of a pound.

We don’t know if anyone has told you that, but to get a sharp edge, a hunting knife needs an angle above 22 and below 31 degrees.

Guess what? This Smith’s creation comes with a preset sharpening angle of 23°, which makes it the best knife sharpener for hunting knives of any size and type.

What We Didn’t Like

• Having a more comfortable grip would’ve made it comparatively easy to use.

Who Is It Great for

• This is a great deal for both seasoned and beginner hunters.

What Could Be Improved and Why

Having better grit on the fine slot would’ve been better as it can improve the overall sharpness of the blade.

Specifications

Pros

• Replaceable stones
• Compact size
• Lightweight
• Keyring compatible
• Dual slots
• Perfectly Portable
• Durable plastic

Cons

• The fine grit is not so impressive

04 AccuSharp Knife & Tool Blaze Orange Sharpener

Why It Stands Out to Us

Before seeing the AccuSharp Knife & Tool Sharpener, we didn’t think it was possible to have comfort, efficiency, and ease with a single structure.

The design itself speaks for the sharpener, as you don’t need to be a hotshot to make it useful.

It’s the kind of sharpener that you can use to save time, sharpen different kinds of knives, and have instant performance. This is one of the best hunting knife sharpeners you can carry around with you.

Our Experience with the AccuSharp Knife & Tool Sharpener

If you’re looking for versatility, this is one of the best hunting knife sharpeners for you. This one is one of the most versatile sharpeners we’ve seen so far.

From the most common types of knives to the hunting ones, it can sharpen all of them. The reason is nothing but its tungsten carbide sharpening blades.

It can handle any knives out there, including paring, serrated, filet, chef’s knives, and cleavers.

Surprisingly, rather than eating up a pile of our time and effort, it took only 6 or 7 passes to make a knife sharp enough to cut tomatoes again.

If we convert that into time, it doesn’t even need 10 seconds if you’re fast enough.

The problem with people who have bigger hands is, it’s kind of tough for them to use compact sharpeners. But we’ve noticed that, regardless of hand size, its ergonomic handle has made its using not only easy but also comfortable.

We had a little objection about the way one needed to use this sharpener as it can cut the fingers without any protection.

But when we noticed closely, we saw there was a finger guard to protect the fingers no matter how fast you pass the knife.

Its lightweight construction was another impressive addition to its feature list, which has made handling it easier than ever. So, it saves a bite on the energy there.

What We Didn’t Like

• Missing multiple slots made it good enough for just sharpening the edges, not repairing.
• The grip guard is not entirely immune to scratches.

Who Is It Great for

We believe it’s perfectly suited for all types of hunters and anyone who mostly sticks to domestic sharpening tools.

It can also be perfect for hikers to carry with them as it doesn’t bulk up the backpack.

Specifications

Pros

• Ergonomic design
• Comfortable grip
• Lightweight
• Protection to fingers
• Lucrative color
• Easy to use
• Zero prep time

Cons

• Might bend low-quality knives

05 Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener Ken Onion Edition

Why It Stands Out to Us

If you’re looking for something a bit ‘techy’ for your knives, we think Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener deserves some consideration here.

Variable speed, convenient mechanism, or wider tool compatibility – it has almost everything that we could’ve asked from an electric sharpener.

Our Experience with the Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener

When it comes to using electric sharpeners, there’s always a chance of having a blade over-sharpened as you can’t control the passes.

But this one has handled that part quite nicely with the variable speed motor.

The knob on the switch gave us total access to the control of the speed, both higher and lower.

We were surprised to see the level of compatibility on this one. But when we tried to figure out the reason, we saw it was the non-abrasive belt with 6000 grit.

This means no matter how stubborn the blade is, it can make it sharper for sure.

There’s no way to deny that it’s a high-performance machine. If you’re looking for the best electric knife sharpener for hunting knives, this one will fit you perfectly!

After all, with a higher duty cycle, it’s a tough tech to beat. Even after sharpening the blades for 50 minutes, it doesn’t show any need to take a break.

In the beginning, we were not so sure about its precision on the angle.

But later on, when we noticed the angle determination knob, it became clear as day that the angle is not going to be an issue. Guess what? We were right!

For wider blades, having a spacious belt in a sharpener is a priority. We won’t say that it has the best size, but it has been proven decent enough to cover different kinds of blades.

The variety included regular knives to heavier cutting tools like axes.

The other sharpeners we’ve checked out so far gave no way to have a better convex grind on any blade. But what awestruck us here is it was possible with this one as the belt was perfectly flexible.

What We Didn’t Like

• It can be hard for left-handed users and can be dangerous under certain circumstances too.

Who Is It Great for

Aside from hunters, it’s perfect for anyone who’d like to see all the cutting tools in the house sharpened. Even for professional bladesmiths, it can play up to the mark to a certain extent.

Specifications

Pros

• Variable speed
• Convenient control mechanism
• Adjustable angle
• Superior grit
• Powerful motor
• Strong construction
• Comfortable grip
• Flexible belt

Cons

• Comparatively heavy

Best Knife Sharpener For Hunting Knives
[Buying Guide]

1. Size

Clearly, when it comes to choosing the best hunting knife sharpener for your specific needs, you’ll have to take the size into account as its portability of it depends on the size alone.

But that’s only when you’re planning to bring in handheld or manual sharpeners.

As the electric ones are comparatively bigger, you can get them when you don’t want to sharpen the blade anywhere else but at home.

2. Weight

Pick the lighter one if you’re thinking about going with the manual sharpener. The heavier ones are a bit uncomfortable to use when you’re using your own hand to hold them.

For electric ones, you need to worry about the weight as they’re by nature heavier than manual ones.

3. Blade Angles

Always consider grabbing a sharpener that can ease up getting you 22° to 30° angles.

That’s because these are the angles you’re going to need for sharpening a hunting knife to make it sharper and more durable at the same time.

4. Grit

You better be careful about the number here, as grit is what will determine the fineness of the sharpening.

For use on hunting blades, going for something between 300 to 1000 will be enough. But getting something higher won’t hurt as well.

5. Types of Textures

• Coarse

This texture is all about sharpening knives that are in a much-damaged condition, like loss of the edge. Plus, this is not something you should use for regular and undamaged knives as it’s too good at removing metal.

• Medium

When you’re looking for something to refine your blade that already has an existing edge, then the medium texture is what you need to pull it off.

It’ll get the edge sharper than before without removing any extra metal, unlike the coarse one.

• Fine

Rather than pushing for the heavy sharpening, a fine-textured sharpener keeps the sharpness to the atomic range but makes sure you’re getting a smooth cutting performance.

6. Bevel Type

Grab a sharpener that will perfectly suit the bevel of your knife. There are variations on that like Convex, Chisel, Double, Flat, Hollow, and Sabre.

Check out which one is yours and pick the one that supports your blade’s shape effortlessly.

7. Ease of Usage

Always go for a sharpener that you find easier to use. As you’ll be dealing with a sharper object like a hunting knife, a minor mistake can cause major injury. So, think of something that you find easy to handle.

8. Experience Level Required

Not every sharpener is meant for knife users of all levels. If you’re a rookie and have never tried making a blade sharper before, we say you go with something a bit more primary, like the handheld.

But if it’s nothing new to you, you’re free to give anything a shot out there, from electric to stone.

Types of Hunting Knife Sharpeners

1. Manual

The other name of this kind is handheld sharpeners. With the carbide blade, they can easily turn any dull knife into a sharper one.

Plus, the smaller size makes them portable enough to take anywhere, and you don’t need any extra space as you can slip them into your pocket.

Some of them even offer finger guards (depending on the design) and replaceable stone as well.

On top of that, the ones with multiple slots offer a variety of textures for different sharpening performances.

But the interesting part is the sharpening rod a few comes with, which is amazingly helpful in sharpening small serrations.

2. Electric Hunting Knife Sharpener

Clearly, the electric knife sharpener are more efficient as it comes with a powerful motor that delivers a stronger performance in sharpening dull blades. They even got variable speeds in order to avoid metal loss or removal.

Plus, the flexible belts ensure total precision in the job.

Due to being a bit heavy, they’re not exactly the ‘portable’ type. But they surely can handle a wider variety of knives, including hunting ones.

3. Stones

This is the old-school style where you get to make a knife sharp by buffing the blurred edge on the stone.

Some of them even come with dual grit, where one side comes with the higher one, and the other one comes with the lower one.

The higher grit is basically used for ultra-fine finishing, whereas the lower one helps with regular sharpening.

One of the best things about this type is they are is a very low chance of overdoing the job as you control the action all by your physical force.

User Tips

Tip – 1: Wear Protective Gloves

As you’re dealing with a sharp object, there’s always a chance of accidents.

That’s why you better be ready to save yourself by putting on some protective gloves as the hands are at the maximum risk here.

Tips – 2: Keep the Knife Away from Your Body

Don’t get awfully close to the knife while sharpening it, as you might end up injuring yourself. Make sure that there’s a safe distance between you and the knife.

Tip – 3: Make Slow Movements

No matter how much hurry you’re in, don’t think about sharpening the knife faster. That’s because one careless moment is enough to bring in greater danger.

Tip – 4: Cleaning Up the Blade

Don’t forget to clean up the blade before you start making it sharper. The reason is the gunk on edge will interrupt the action once you start using the sharpener. Also, keep the knife dry.

Tip – 5: Follow the Manufacturer’s Instructions

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Doing it as you like comes with the chance of getting both the sharpener and the knives damaged.

Tip – 6: Avoid Pressurizing

Putting too much pressure on the knife raises three possibilities. The first one is getting the knife chipped, the second one is bending the blade, and the third is damaging the sharpener.

FAQs

1. For hunting knives which one is the sharpest angle?

Ans. For hunting knives, 22° to 30° is the sharpest one. As they’re meant to cut tougher things, this angle gives them the desired sharpness you’d need for better cutting performance.

2. Can knife sharpeners ruin knives?

Ans. Frequent sharpening surely makes the blade lose its edge after a certain period of time. But that’s definitely not the same case for occasional sharpening, as it doesn’t make the metal brittle much.

3. Which method is possibly the best for sharpening knives?

Ans. The Waterstone is more of a better way to sharpen the knives. Unlike the other methods, you can control the force here entirely, which allows you to give the knife an accurately sharp edge.