How to choose the perfect knife sharpener
Everyone knows that feeling you get when you pick up a knife and use it, and it’s boring. A knife is only as good as the sharpener and the person who sharpens it. Whether you’re an outdoor adventurer or a kitchen guru, having sharp knives is a must. I know it’s frustrating when I have a bunch of geese to clean or a deer to gut, and I have to fight with the knife to cut. A sharp knife facilitates everything from processing animals in the field to preparing a family dinner in the kitchen. There are many options available when purchasing a knife sharpener, including manual sharpeners, electric sharpeners, stones, and rods. Your knife, purpose of use, and portability will determine which sharpener is best for you.
sharpening tips
There are different grit sizes, and choosing the correct grit size for your specific sharpening needs will help you achieve the desired results. Grit levels range from extremely coarse to extremely fine. The smaller the grain, the rougher the surface; the larger the grain, the finer the surface. Sharpeners will have both coarse and fine grinding surfaces most of the time. If you have a dull or damaged knife, use the coarse side first, then finish with the fine surface. Only use the fine surface if your knife is in good condition but needs a quick touch up. The use of a stone will be your option if you want to hone and perfect the edge of your blade. When sharpening, always pull; never push the knife through the sharpener. Do not over-sharpen your knives, as this can ruin them. Here is a selection of excellent sharpeners for various specific uses.
Hunt
A small, packable sharpener is great for use in the field, while a larger sharpener is perfect for at home while processing animals. Smith’s Hook and Fillet Knife Sharpener is great for packing up at the deer stand or duck swamp. You can purchase this sharpener as a hook and sharpener combo or just the sharpener. It’s small, easy to use, and always produces a sharp blade. It has preset sharpening angles that take the thought out of sharpening your knives. It also has a non-slip grip and finger guards, which are especially important if you’re sharpening a knife with wet or bloody hands. At home, select Smith’s JIFFY-Pro Handheld Sharpener. This sharpener has many options for sharpening surfaces and can be used with hunting knives, scissors, and shears. The JIFFY-Pro comes with fine and coarse surfaces. Sharpen dull or damaged blades with five pulls across the coarse surface followed by 6-8 pulls across the fine surface. When touching up a blade, make 6-8 pulls across the fine surface.
To fish
When it comes to fishing, it makes sense to select sharpeners with more than one function on the water. That’s where Smith’s Mr. Crappie Fish Pick comes in handy. This tool has a diamond hook and knife sharpener that works with virtually any size hook or knife. The retractable fish pick helps remove hooks buried deep in the fish’s mouth or throat, increasing the likelihood of a healthy release. If you have a lot of hook sharpening or filleting to do in the future, consider using Smith’s RegalRiver Hook and Knife Sharpener. It is easy to grip and has a large surface area for any size hook. Don’t let a dull hook cost you a trophy fish – take the time to sharpen it. It also has easy-to-use sharpening surfaces on the handle for fillet knives, with coarse and fine surfaces.
Camping
Smith’s Pocket Pal X2 Sharpener and Outdoor Tool is a great item for campers, hikers, or any adventurer who wants to pack light. It is small but packed with multiple tools. It has coarse and fine sharpening surfaces, a diamond sharpening rod, compass, fire starter, LED light, and signal whistle. The diamond sharpening rod allows you to sharpen serrated blades, which is a useful feature not all sharpeners offer.
precision sharpening
If you pride yourself on keeping your knives in top condition, using a diamond stone to sharpen them will give you the best results. Smith’s 6-inch Diamond Tri-Hone is a great choice. They feel right at home in the kitchen, shop, or garage. This sharpening system has three different grit levels. The extremely coarse surface has a grit level of 325. This is only necessary for blades that are nicked or need to re-sharp. The coarse surface is 750 grit and is perfect for sharpening dull or general knives. Arkansas stone is 1000-1200 grit to hone and hone the edge of the blade. Precision sharpening takes time and practice, but the results are worth it!
Whether you’re heading into the woods or around the house, make sure you have a reliable sharpener within easy reach. The knife you are using is only as good as the blade. A dull knife is never pleasant to use, so save yourself a headache and go prepared.
About Smith Consumer Products:
Smith’s Consumer Products is an Arkansas-based company that traces its history back to 1886. Smith’s produces the broadest line of knife and scissor sharpeners available, ranging from simple fixed-angle removable sharpeners for consumers who want quick and easy sharpening to sophisticated precision kits. Designed for the knife sharpening enthusiast. Our offering includes manual and electric sharpeners that incorporate many different abrasive materials, including diamond, carbide, ceramic, bonded synthetic abrasives, and Arkansas natural stone. Smith’s Consumer Products Edge Experts also design and manufacture a wide range of tools for the outdoor enthusiast, as well as knives for everyday carry, tactical, shop, kitchen, hunting and fishing needs.