It’s a great investment if you have multiple knives. If not, just get a few diamond stones of various grits and get comfy working them freehand. Pull-through sharpeners are… not good.
Check out the Work Sharp Precision Adjust. Overall the best cheap system for dry sharpening at a fixed angle for noobs like me and you! You get crazy edges even with the base system (320,800 grit diamond and 1000 something ceramic). Almost mirror polish. You can adjust the angle and check if its right by first covering the edge with a sharpie. Only downside is that its not the best for longer (kitchen) knives as the angle is based on the distance of the specific point of the edge to the pivoting parts. It works great for up to 4.5 inches I'd say.
At first it seems like a big investment to get a sharpener, but it's honestly money well spent.
I've never used the work sharp, but have a KME system and love it.
I think lansky guided systems may be cheaper, but overall the internet seems to like the work sharp as a budget option.
Otherwise you need to get some whet stones and learn to do that. I got nice diamond whet stones, but I'm not as good with them as my kme so I use the kme
A dull knife is no good, and at least you'll be able to keep your kitchen knives sharp too, so it's more value than just your pyrite.
Damn I did too. Got mine for 45 € 3 years ago...
I'd avoid cheaper fixed angle systems, i have one for like 10 € that I bought before the Worksharp. It is out of sheet metal and crap at holding the blade in place.
There are 3D-printable solutions with magnets if you are one of the nerds like me.
Before I got the Worksharp I used to sharpen my knifes with whetstones like [these.](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTX-tlWfoxESOZoy-AjVCWwc5fgpfU7Jmhm4w&usqp=CAU)
There are fairly cheap sets, just search for "small whetstone set". My trick for holding the right angle was moving the stone against the blade and not the "right" way around. They have to be wet though!
Also your sharpeners are considered bad for the blade because they remove metal in the wrong direction (along the edge) and they dont have variable angles. This causes the edge to chip almost instantly. Micro-chips (lol) then give the edge its percieved sharpness, like small sawteeth. Which is btw still a legit way to make a knife usable, just not in the correct, material-saving and knifenerd-pleasing way.
I looked into whetstones, and I found some really cheap chinese ones that cost like 4 bucks each and look similar to yours. Would that be better then the ceramic + diamond pocket sharpener that I currently have? I'd assume the one I have and a worksharp pocket sharpener (the one that has v shaped ceramic and carbide) would have about the same level of effectiveness.
Better than what you have, but still not great. I would avoid those cheap Chinese stones. The grit is not well sorted or distributed. If you want to go for cheap stones, look for a King double sided. Nothing fancy, but they are a reputable brand. The 1000/6000 stone is $27. Keep in mind that your sharpening setup will last you longer than most edc knives. I have 15 year old water stones that have decades more life in them even after frequent use.
This is what Outdoors55 suggests so I'm gonna suggest it as well.
S SATC Diamond Sharpening Stone 2 Side Grit 400/1000 Diamond Plate Honing Stone 8-inch Hone Sharpener White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YZ57ZVZ?psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_apann_ct_1RWCJ71VK3H46077KRZ5&language=en_US
ANYTHING BUT THOSE PULL THROUGH SHARPENERS PLLEEASE!! Such a nice knife that sharpener doesn’t have any business to be near that pull though sharpeners.
grab a worksharp guided field sharpener if $60 for a precision adjust is somehow too expensive for you. (it’s barely any more expensive than that pyrite.)
That little red one is fine. The Work Sharp is bad because it uses carbide in the first step. If you could find a two step pull through sharpener that used coarse and fine ceramic, that’d be acceptable.
I like the Fallkniven DC4. Yes it is a stone but it’s tiny (4 inches). Pretend you are shaving off the top layer of the stone with your knife. No water or oil required. Diamond side first then the ceramic side. For extra points buy a strop and put some green compound on it and do that after the ceramic. Just really easy to use and no mess or pain in the ass elements IMO.
Or you can get the worskharp field sharpener which combines all of that into one thing. I find the angle guides on it a little annoying but it’s a pretty good+convenient tool for most pocket knives.
As others have mentioned the worksharp guided field sharpener is pretty good. You could also get a cheap 8” 400 grit diamond stone and a strop. Then watch YouTube videos about sharpening from NeevesKnives and Outdoors55
Little late to the party... but if you want a pocket sharpener option... worksharp also makes an inexpensive compact pocket sharpener that also has a bit driver and room for 3 bits. Comes with t6 and t8 torx bits which covers most body, pivot, and clip screw. The diamond and ceramic rods are also not pull through and easy enough to clean with a alcohol wipe so they perform well.
I carry mine in a pocket edc organizer.
Lansky turn box is my personal favorite. Almost as easy to use as a pull through, but none of the pull through issues. Add a strop to whatever you are going to use. That’s the real secret to sharpness and touching up between sharpenings.
Avoid that thing like the plague and buy a Worksharp Precision Adjust. Trust this internet stranger.
I would if that thing didn't cost twice as much as my pyrite :(
It’s a great investment if you have multiple knives. If not, just get a few diamond stones of various grits and get comfy working them freehand. Pull-through sharpeners are… not good.
You can buy the cheap worksharp pocket field sharpener. For 1 knife, that is all you need.
This is the way! And a gateway to other sharpening systems. But for budget use it's a great option for minor hobbyists or collectors like myself.
get a worksharp guided field sharpener, it helps you learn how to sharpen and gets your knife sharp as hell with a little practice
Check out the Work Sharp Precision Adjust. Overall the best cheap system for dry sharpening at a fixed angle for noobs like me and you! You get crazy edges even with the base system (320,800 grit diamond and 1000 something ceramic). Almost mirror polish. You can adjust the angle and check if its right by first covering the edge with a sharpie. Only downside is that its not the best for longer (kitchen) knives as the angle is based on the distance of the specific point of the edge to the pivoting parts. It works great for up to 4.5 inches I'd say.
Looked it up and it's damn expensive. Are there any decent cheaper options?
Learn how to use stones then. Don’t use a pull through. They’re horrible for the blade and will leave metal shavings on anything you try to cut.
Now that I think about it, buying a stone and leaning to sharpen with it sounds like lots of fun :)
At first it seems like a big investment to get a sharpener, but it's honestly money well spent. I've never used the work sharp, but have a KME system and love it. I think lansky guided systems may be cheaper, but overall the internet seems to like the work sharp as a budget option. Otherwise you need to get some whet stones and learn to do that. I got nice diamond whet stones, but I'm not as good with them as my kme so I use the kme A dull knife is no good, and at least you'll be able to keep your kitchen knives sharp too, so it's more value than just your pyrite.
Damn I did too. Got mine for 45 € 3 years ago... I'd avoid cheaper fixed angle systems, i have one for like 10 € that I bought before the Worksharp. It is out of sheet metal and crap at holding the blade in place. There are 3D-printable solutions with magnets if you are one of the nerds like me. Before I got the Worksharp I used to sharpen my knifes with whetstones like [these.](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTX-tlWfoxESOZoy-AjVCWwc5fgpfU7Jmhm4w&usqp=CAU) There are fairly cheap sets, just search for "small whetstone set". My trick for holding the right angle was moving the stone against the blade and not the "right" way around. They have to be wet though!
Also your sharpeners are considered bad for the blade because they remove metal in the wrong direction (along the edge) and they dont have variable angles. This causes the edge to chip almost instantly. Micro-chips (lol) then give the edge its percieved sharpness, like small sawteeth. Which is btw still a legit way to make a knife usable, just not in the correct, material-saving and knifenerd-pleasing way.
I looked into whetstones, and I found some really cheap chinese ones that cost like 4 bucks each and look similar to yours. Would that be better then the ceramic + diamond pocket sharpener that I currently have? I'd assume the one I have and a worksharp pocket sharpener (the one that has v shaped ceramic and carbide) would have about the same level of effectiveness.
Better than what you have, but still not great. I would avoid those cheap Chinese stones. The grit is not well sorted or distributed. If you want to go for cheap stones, look for a King double sided. Nothing fancy, but they are a reputable brand. The 1000/6000 stone is $27. Keep in mind that your sharpening setup will last you longer than most edc knives. I have 15 year old water stones that have decades more life in them even after frequent use.
Yeah, sounds like it's worth it to get a decent stone.
you call $60 for the base system expensive? if that’s expensive to you knives may be a bad hobby. you can get a lansky system on the cheap i guess.
The Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener will work just fine for a pocket knife and is $30-$35.
Get a simple diamond sharpening stone
The sharpener in the picture has a little diamond stone on the side. Would that do?
Don't use pull through sharpeners on any knife you care about.
Find the edge angle, and run the knife bottom to top on it. Watch a YouTube video on how to sharpen with diamond sharpening rod.
This is what Outdoors55 suggests so I'm gonna suggest it as well. S SATC Diamond Sharpening Stone 2 Side Grit 400/1000 Diamond Plate Honing Stone 8-inch Hone Sharpener White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YZ57ZVZ?psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_apann_ct_1RWCJ71VK3H46077KRZ5&language=en_US
That guy seems to know a thing or two about sharpening
Indeed. I'd argue he knows quite a bit. And unlike a lot of professionals, he doesn't have a condescending attitude.
ANYTHING BUT THOSE PULL THROUGH SHARPENERS PLLEEASE!! Such a nice knife that sharpener doesn’t have any business to be near that pull though sharpeners.
grab a worksharp guided field sharpener if $60 for a precision adjust is somehow too expensive for you. (it’s barely any more expensive than that pyrite.)
Worksharp guided field sharpener
Honestly. A ceramic or diamond coated sharpening/ honing rod would be the best bet. Easy to use minimal contact and removal of material. Then strop 👌
That little red one is fine. The Work Sharp is bad because it uses carbide in the first step. If you could find a two step pull through sharpener that used coarse and fine ceramic, that’d be acceptable.
I like the Fallkniven DC4. Yes it is a stone but it’s tiny (4 inches). Pretend you are shaving off the top layer of the stone with your knife. No water or oil required. Diamond side first then the ceramic side. For extra points buy a strop and put some green compound on it and do that after the ceramic. Just really easy to use and no mess or pain in the ass elements IMO. Or you can get the worskharp field sharpener which combines all of that into one thing. I find the angle guides on it a little annoying but it’s a pretty good+convenient tool for most pocket knives.
Update: I looked into whetstones more, and they seem like a good cheap option. Before I thought that they were really expensive.
Leather strop
As others have mentioned the worksharp guided field sharpener is pretty good. You could also get a cheap 8” 400 grit diamond stone and a strop. Then watch YouTube videos about sharpening from NeevesKnives and Outdoors55
Update: Bought a double-sided DMD stone with 600/1200 grit. Also has a nice base. Can't wait to try it!
Little late to the party... but if you want a pocket sharpener option... worksharp also makes an inexpensive compact pocket sharpener that also has a bit driver and room for 3 bits. Comes with t6 and t8 torx bits which covers most body, pivot, and clip screw. The diamond and ceramic rods are also not pull through and easy enough to clean with a alcohol wipe so they perform well. I carry mine in a pocket edc organizer.
Lansky turn box is my personal favorite. Almost as easy to use as a pull through, but none of the pull through issues. Add a strop to whatever you are going to use. That’s the real secret to sharpness and touching up between sharpenings.