Everyday Carry

Work Sharp Sharpeners

Authored by:
Adam Molina
Reviewed by:
Bernard Capulong
Founder and Editor-in-Chief
14+ Years Reviewing EDC Products
Work Sharp Sharpeners

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It doesn’t matter how good your knife is. Eventually, you’ll have to do more to care for it than just wiping off tape residue from opening boxes. Regardless of how good the steel is, it will dull over time, especially if it’s earned a spot in your EDC and gets daily use.

Maintaining the edge of your EDC knife takes some know-how and special tools since there are plenty of different sizes, shapes, and blade materials. Thankfully, Work Sharp has you covered with various tools to help you maintain and extend the life of your most-used EDC knives.


Overview of Work Sharp Sharpeners

Work Sharp sharpeners bring precision tools right to you, with many different options to help you keep your blade in tip-top shape for longer so you’ll never be caught with a dull edge again. Its offerings range from a standard benchstone knife sharpener to a pocket-sized one for maintenance on the go, all the way up to the Ken Onion Edition Knife and Tool sharpener that looks more like a cool modified hand grinder.


Features and Benefits of Work Sharp Sharpeners

The Work Sharp line of sharpeners has many features that make it useful for anyone looking to extend the life of their EDC knives. If you’ve spent any time studying your knife, you’ll see that edge is not angled identically on every blade. Thankfully, Work Sharp offers angle guides so you can match the original angle of your knife perfectly when sharpening. There’s also a wide range of abrasive belts you can choose from to cover whether you’re looking to fix your knife or apply an excellent new polish to it. The Work Sharp sharpeners offer a quick and consistent grind every time, allowing you to spend more time using your knife and taking care of it less.


Which Model Should You Get?

Knife

Knife and Tool Sharpener Mk.2

Purchase
Key Features
Dual speed
Flexible abrasive belts
20° / 25° precision knife guide
Specifications
Type
Powered benchtop
Model Number
WSKTS2
EDC Rating


Price
$$
Whether you’re looking to sharpen your EDC knife, kitchen knife, scissors, or even an axe, the Knife and Tool Sharpener Mk. 2 is hard to beat. It features six flexible belts at coarse, medium, and extra-fine grits, so you’ll have the right one for the task at hand every time. It also has 20- and 25-degree angle sharpening guides, so you don’t have to guess which angle you should be sharpening at. The cherry on top is the two-speed motor that lets you get a nice and consistent grind at the press of a button.
Ken

Ken Onion Edition Knife & Tool Sharpener

Purchase
Key Features
Adjustable precision sharpening guide
Variable speed motor
Flexible abrasive belts
Specifications
Type
Powered benchtop
Model Number
‎WSKTS-KO
EDC Rating


Price
$$
Another option is the Ken Onion Edition Knife and Tool Sharpener. Designed in collaboration with Ken Onion, this mechanical sharpener uses flexible abrasive belts and an angled holder that lets you select between 15 and 30 degrees to match your blade. It has a variable-speed motor with a trigger lock and has five abrasives at varying grits ranging from coarse to extra fine. Leave this on your workbench permanently or only bring it out when you need it, but either way, you can count on it to reliably sharpen your knives.
Ken

Ken Onion Angle Set Knife Sharpener

Purchase
Key Features
3-sided sharpening surface
Fine grit ceramic stone
Adjustable angles
Specifications
Type
Manual benchtop
Model Number
WSBCHAGS
EDC Rating


Price
$
One of the trickiest things about sharpening knives is getting the angle right. This Angle Set Knife Sharpener designed with Ken Onion eliminates any guesswork. Simply prop it up on its adjustable base to match up with whatever angle you’re going for, and you’re good to go. You can set it to 15, 17.5, 20, 22.5, or 25 degrees, depending on the knife or tool you’re sharpening. It also has 320 and 600-grit fine diamond plates and a tapered ceramic rod for serrated blades. Plus, it folds down nicely into a compact carrying case.
Precision

Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener - Elite

Purchase
Key Features
Adjustable sharpening angles
V-Block clamp design
Included carrying case
Specifications
Type
Manual benchtop
Model Number
WSBCHPAJ-ELT
EDC Rating


Price
$$
For anyone that requires more precise angle work, you can go with the Precision Adjust Elite. This tool lets you adjust the abrasive rods' angle to match your blade's original edge perfectly. It comes with abrasive grits ranging from 220 to 800 diamond, so it can handle whatever tool you throw at it. The entire setup comes with a compact carrying case as well, so you can keep it with your tools or toss it in your trunk and ensure that your knives will be sharp wherever you go.
Benchstone

Benchstone Knife Sharpener

Purchase
Key Features
3-sided abrasive sharpening system
Interchangeable sharpening guides
Pivot-Response system
Specifications
Type
Manual benchtop
Model Number
‎WSBCHBSS
EDC Rating


Price
$
If you prefer to take the traditional route when sharpening your knives, Work Sharp has you covered with the Benchstone Knife Sharpener. This sharpener has three stones in one, with a rotating block that exposes each in turn, depending on the grit you need. It comes with a 320 medium grit diamond, 600 grit, and fine ceramic grit to cover all your bases. There are two sharpening guides for 20 and 25-degree edges, and it has a handy pivot system that lets you follow the curve of your knife with each push and pull.

Using Work Sharp Sharpeners

It may seem obvious, but safety is critical when using Work Sharp sharpeners. Regardless of what knife you will be sharpening, start slowly to get the hang of the motion. The last thing you want is an accident because your mind is wandering. Thankfully, Work Sharp products are designed to minimize risk with plenty of places for your hands so you can sharpen safely. All Work Sharp products also come with a 3-year warranty, so if anything breaks down, you’re covered, though it’s worth mentioning that it's only available in the United States and Canada.  


Work Sharp Sharpeners vs. Competitors

Typically, the tried-and-true method for sharpening a knife is to use a whetstone. While there is a reason it has stood the test of time, there’s more that goes into using one correctly than scraping your knife against it. Whetstones leave it all up to you. You need to keep your knife at a consistent angle by hand, know how much pressure to apply, and which whetstone to use. The Work Sharp line of sharpeners takes care of most of that for you. They come with angle guides, multiple grit plates, and even ceramic rods for serrations. You’ll still be doing everything by hand but without the guesswork.


Work Sharp Sharpeners Accessories

Depending on which tool you choose, Work Sharp has you covered with plenty of accessories to ensure you have everything you need to keep your knives sharp for years. You can get accessories specifically for the tool you want. So if you get the Guided Field Sharpener, you can also get spare diamond plates for a backup. Similarly, if you go with the Ken Onion Knife and Tool Sharpener, you can get replacement abrasives, guides, and grinding attachments. You can use these tools to keep your EDC blades sharp for years.


Pros and Cons of Work Sharp Sharpeners

Using Work Sharp tools over other methods has its benefits. For one, they work great. Used properly, you’ll get a consistent blade every time. They also come with everything you need, so whether you’re working on a super dull knife or putting a final finishing touch on it, they come with the grit strips and belts you’ll need to complete the job. The downside is that some of the gear is fairly expensive and come with a slight learning curve. That said, they're well worth it if you’re willing to invest a little time and money.


Conclusion

Whatever sharpener you choose, you’ll take an essential step towards maintaining your knife. The last thing you want is to find yourself in a severe slicing situation only to find that your blade has dulled over the years and can’t perform. Even when doing something less critical, a dull blade can lead to injuries because it’ll slip and still be sharp enough to hurt you when you least expect it. A sharp knife is a safe knife, and a little proper maintenance can go a long way. Make sure to check out the Work Sharp offerings and start building out your maintenance system.


FAQs

What is the difference between the Work Sharp Precision Adjust and the Ken Onion Edition Knife and Tool Sharpener?

The Ken Onion Knife and Tool Sharpener has a motorized belt and knife guides that let you slide your blade through while holding down the trigger. Thanks to the dual-speed motor and multiple abrasive belts, you can get a nice and precise grind all the way through. On the other hand, the Precision Adjust is a clamp that holds your knife in place while you run the abrasive plate over it by hand. Both work perfectly fine for your average EDC knife, but take different approaches.

What kind of knife sharpeners do professionals use?

Professional knife sharpeners will typically use either whetstones or knife sharpening machines to run the knives through.

Can you sharpen knives on a Work Sharp WS3000 Woodworking Tool Sharpener?

It isn’t recommended, as the Woodworking Tool Sharpener was designed for tools like chisels and scrapers. Sharpening a knife requires a finer grit to sharpen its edge adequately.

Is Work Sharp made in the USA?

All Work Sharp products are designed and assembled in the USA, and they source as many of their components from North American suppliers as possible. Any suppliers that come from overseas need to meet stringent quality control metrics.


How We Picked

Decades of experience and deep connections in the everyday carry industry give us a unique viewpoint on the market to inform our product recommendations. We have the depth of information for thousands of products that have come before and an extensive eye on the market to see what’s new and trending for each piece of gear. The result is a buying guide that we feel is informative and useful for EDCers of every trade, industry, and budget.

What is Everyday Carry?

Everyday Carry is both the concept of what people carry in their pockets and the process of picking out gear that thoughtfully considers what one wants or needs in their daily life. It encompasses everything from style to preparedness to utility, meaning an entire industry full of valuable tools and essentials to choose from.

Why You Should Trust Us

Our team has decades of combined experience in all aspects of everyday men’s essentials, from wallets to pens to bags and everything in between, and we know where to find great gear ideas that you may not come across at your local stores or when shopping online. Our expertise in the industry and familiarity with design, materials, and usability help you make more informed choices when it comes to picking up your next piece of gear.

Adam Molina

Senior Contributor


About the Author
Adam Molina is a product review expert and seasoned everyday-carry enthusiast. They have covered gadgets and niche items for almost ten years and are passionate about exploring the ever-evolving landscape of consumer electronics and everyday carry gear. Having always been drawn towards electronics, they began their career reviewing audio gear and personal electronics for outlets like Soundguys, Android Authority, and Business Insider. They are currently a member of MKBHD network of channels, including an executive producer role on the Waveform Podcast.

In addition to their expertise in the tech realm, Adam possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience in everyday carry gear ranging from watches to niche carabiners. He has used more backpacks than he can count, a plethora of different kinds of wallets, all kinds of multi-tools, and many random gadgets that never even make it into a recommended buying guide. Adam has developed a deep understanding of the nuances and practicality that make these items indispensable to modern-day life.

Adam is an avid runner and reader in their spare time and loves to learn random skills. Adam is the go-to resource if you are looking for an expert opinion on a product or want to learn more about everyday carry. They are happy to answer any questions and help you find the best products for your needs.

Bernard Capulong

Founder and Editor-in-Chief


About the Reviewer
Bernard Capulong is an everyday carry (EDC) gear expert, entrepreneur, all-around nerd, and the founder and editor-in-chief of EverydayCarry.com—the largest online community for EDC gear enthusiasts. Since founding Everyday Carry in 2009, he’s built over a decade of experience in the industry, reviewing and highlighting brands and products, including pocket knives, flashlights, wallets, watches, bags, pens, and much more.

Bernard is known for bringing everyday carry out of obscurity and into the mainstream, having been published or featured in various publications such as GQ, TIME Magazine, The New York Times, VICE, HYPEBEAST, Outside, and many others. He has also played a part in curating, designing, and developing digital and physical products, resulting in successful crowdfunding projects or limited edition collaboration products with established softgoods brands. He stays on the pulse of the EDC industry by attending trade shows, participating in online interest communities, and actively engaging with fellow gear enthusiasts on social media.

In addition to being the editor-in-chief and main social media personality for EverydayCarry.com, Bernard is an avid gearhead and collector in general. His personal collections span technical bags, fountain pens, digital cameras, retro gaming hardware, personal hi-fi audio gear, and mechanical wristwatches, to name a few. Bernard Capulong is a prominent figure and trusted authority in the everyday carry industry with a career dedicated to helping people discover this hobby and stay prepared with quality gear.

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