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Jul 06, 2025, 03:25 PM

The Best Knife Sharpeners of 2025

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Not all knife edges are sharpened equally, but all neglected edges are pretty equally useless. So, our edge obsessives — the sorts who always regrind every factory edge to get them just right — rounded up the best knife sharpeners on the market.

Led by Ian Graber-Stiehl, a professional blade sharpener, each system sharpened a wide range of knives in testing: budget folders, chisels, professional cutlery, high-end EDC steels, axes, machetes, shears, horse clippers, saws — you name it.

We used the systems here in kitchens, in the field, and at the workshop to see not only what they sharpen best but where they're best suited. The result: a list of the best sharpening systems, from the powerful https://cabelas.xhuc.net/c/381569/185932/2623?u=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.cabelas.com%252Fp%252Fwork-sharp-knife-tool-sharpener-mk2">Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener MK.2 to the simple https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FZZUL30/?tag=gjbgknivesgeneralknifesharpener-20">Sharp Pebble Whetstone. Check out the top picks below.

Editor’s Note: GearJunkie updated this guide to the best knife sharpeners on July 3, 2025, to dial in selections for a more hobbyist-centric crowd, and added a few new sharpeners in the process. The https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKLVYGJQ/?tag=p-gj-bw-allgear-62de5d1-waj-000301-20" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wicked Edge Carbon WE40 is a stellar beginner sharpening system, while the https://cabelas.xhuc.net/c/381569/185932/2623?u=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.cabelas.com%252Fp%252Fwork-sharp-rks-rolling-knife-sharpener">Work Sharp Rolling Knife Sharpener offers a unique and easy rolling method for getting cutlery back in shape.

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The Best Knife Sharpeners of 2025

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Best Overall Knife Sharpener

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VD8ZGFZ/?tag=gearj-20" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener MK.2

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               9.4/10 Rating

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https://schema.org/Offer">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VD8ZGFZ/?tag=gearj-20" class="amazon-buy-button" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">$90 at Amazonhttps://schema.org/InStock">

https://cabelas.xhuc.net/c/381569/185932/2623?u=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.cabelas.com%252Fp%252Fwork-sharp-knife-tool-sharpener-mk2" class="regular-buy-button" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Check Price at Cabela's

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Best Budget Knife Sharpener

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FZZUL30/?tag=gjbgknivesgeneralknifesharpener-20" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Sharp Pebble 1000/6000 Grit Combination Whetstone

               https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2024/07/Sharp-Pebble-Knife-Sharpener.jpg">            https://schema.org/Review">

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               6.8/10 Rating

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https://schema.org/Offer">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FZZUL30/?tag=gjbgknivesgeneralknifesharpener-20" class="amazon-buy-button" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">$40 at Amazonhttps://schema.org/InStock">

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Best Beginner Knife Sharpener

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKLVYGJQ/?tag=gearj-20" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Wicked Edge Carbon WE40

               https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2025/06/Wicked-Edge-WE40.jpg">            https://schema.org/Review">

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               8.0/10 Rating

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https://schema.org/Offer">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKLVYGJQ/?tag=gearj-20" class="amazon-buy-button" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">$199 at Amazonhttps://schema.org/InStock">

https://go.skimresources.com/?id=66154X1501138&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bladehq.com%2Fitem--Wicked-Edge-Co-WE40--205007%3F" class="regular-buy-button" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Check Price at Blade HQ

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Best Travel Knife Sharpener

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GD8WHY/?tag=gearj-20" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">DMT 6″ Double Sided Dia-Sharp Diamond Stone

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               7.5/10 Rating

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https://schema.org/Offer">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GD8WHY/?tag=gearj-20" class="amazon-buy-button" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">$48 at Amazonhttps://schema.org/InStock">

https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=999&u=1907177&m=39329&afftrack=gjbgknivesgeneralknifesharpener&urllink=www.bladehq.com%2Fitem--DMT-Dia-Sharp-6-Two-Sided--45349" class="regular-buy-button" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Check Price at Blade HQ

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Best Rolling Sharpener

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHLKHK9L/?tag=gearj-20" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Work Sharp Rolling Knife Sharpener

               https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2023/10/work-sharp-rolling-knife-sharpener-accesories.jpg">            https://schema.org/Review">

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               8.0/10 Rating

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https://schema.org/Offer">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHLKHK9L/?tag=gearj-20" class="amazon-buy-button" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">$120 at Amazonhttps://schema.org/InStock">

https://cabelas.xhuc.net/c/381569/185932/2623?u=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.cabelas.com%252Fp%252Fwork-sharp-rks-rolling-knife-sharpener" class="regular-buy-button" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Check Price at Cabela's

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Best Field Sharpener

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00009YV6L/?tag=gjbgknivesgeneralknifesharpener-20" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Smith's Diamond Combination Sharpener

               https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2024/04/smiths-diamond-combination.jpg">            https://schema.org/Review">

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               7.9/10 Rating

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https://schema.org/Offer">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00009YV6L/?tag=gjbgknivesgeneralknifesharpener-20" class="amazon-buy-button" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">$20 at Amazonhttps://schema.org/InStock">

https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=999&u=1907177&m=39329&afftrack=gjbgknivesgeneralknifesharpener&urllink=www.bladehq.com%2Fitem--Smiths-Diamond-Combination--8313" class="regular-buy-button" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Check Price at Blade HQ

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Best Professional Knife Sharpener

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPR32C89?/TAG=gjbgknivesgeneralknifesharpener-20" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Wicked Edge Generation 4 Pro

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               9.3/10 Rating

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Best Overall Knife Sharpener

                              https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VD8ZGFZ/?tag=gearj-20">
                  Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener MK.2

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VD8ZGFZ/?tag=gearj-20" class="amazon-buy-button c-button c-button--large">$90 at Amazonhttps://cabelas.xhuc.net/c/381569/185932/2623?u=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.cabelas.com%252Fp%252Fwork-sharp-knife-tool-sharpener-mk2" class="c-button c-button--large">Check Price at Cabela's

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9.4

How we rate products ⓘ

Specifications

Sharpener Type:
Electric belt sharpening system

Angle Range:
20 and 25 degrees

Grits:
80, 220, 6000

Size:
9 x 7 x 6"

Best For:
Pocket Knives, Traditional Outdoor Knives, Kitchen Knives, Landscaping & Trail Tools

Skill Level:
3 out of 5

Pros

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                                    Quick grinding

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                                    Incredibly versatile

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                                    Easy to operate

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                                    Freehand and guided sharpening modes

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                                    Easily convexes edges

Cons

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                                    Loud

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                                    Messy/dusty

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                                    Requires replacement belts

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                                    Can overheat edges

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Read Review: https://gearjunkie.com/outdoor/hunt-fish/work-sharp-mk-2-review">If You Can Dull It, This Will Sharpen It: Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener MK.2 Review

What makes the https://cabelas.xhuc.net/c/381569/185932/2623?u=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.cabelas.com%252Fp%252Fwork-sharp-knife-tool-sharpener-mk2">Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener MK.2 ($110) elite is the fact that it is an easy-to-use, complete knife and tool sharpening system. Composed of a knife and tool sharpener, as well as an optional grinding attachment, you won't find anything else on this list that can do everything this sharpener can do.

Motorized belt sharpening can be a little intimidating. After all, if you're not paying attention to what you're doing, you can ruin the heat treat on your blade. Thankfully, the MK.2 has a dual-speed motor and low-tension belts to help limit that from happening. Also, there is no need to worry about bogging the motor down; it's designed to take your use and abuse. But keep in mind — you should always let the tool do the work.

The sharpener sports an angle guide that allows for 20 or 25 degree sharpening, and is leather-lined to protect your blades. This should cover most of your pocket and kitchen knives, though it is a bit limited. For those needing all the angles, look into an adjustable system like the Wicked Edge WE40 or Work Sharp Precision Adjust.

The MK.2 comes with and uses 3/4″ x 12" belts. In the box, you'll get one each of Work Sharp's P80, P220, and 6000 grit belts, which are enough to get even damaged blades back into working order. Work Sharp also offers a huge range of accessory belts to use on the MK.2, meaning you can dial it in for your use.

Over the years, it's become clear that Work Sharp only produces quality products that are easy to use and durable enough to withstand your most stubborn tasks. The MK.2 is a supreme tool for keeping blades sharp, the best out there today.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2022/09/Work-Sharp-Knife-Tool-Sharpener-Mk.2-Review-700x467.jpg" alt="Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener Mk.2 Review">

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