Keeping your knives and tools razor-sharp is crucial, especially when you’re out in the field. A dull blade can turn simple tasks into frustrating chores, whether you’re camping, hunting, fishing, or tackling survival situations. Fortunately, maintaining a keen edge on your blades in the backcountry is no longer a hassle thanks to innovative tools like the Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener. Having used this tool for the past two years, we’ve found it to be an indispensable part of our gear, capable of easily sharpening almost any knife or bladed implement, right where you need it most.
The Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener stands out as a true multi-tool within the realm of field sharpening systems. Its design allows for honing the blades of a wide array of knives, from everyday carry folders to robust outdoor and survival knives.
Compact and Portable Design
The genius of the Work Sharp Field Sharpener begins with its thoughtfully compact design. Measuring approximately 7 inches (18 centimeters) in length, and about 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) in height and width at its broadest points, this sharpener is incredibly easy to pack and carry. Weight is also kept to a minimum, at just 4.6 ounces (129 grams), ensuring it won’t weigh you down, whether in a backpack, tackle box, or survival kit.
Five Sharpening Stages in One Tool
The body of the Guided Field Sharpener is constructed from a robust, reinforced, injection-molded plastic, giving it a durable feel that can withstand the rigors of field use. Within this compact body are five distinct sharpening stages:
- Removable Diamond Plates (Coarse and Fine): These plates provide aggressive sharpening for dull edges and refined sharpening for maintaining blade sharpness.
- 3-Position Ceramic Rod: This long ceramic rod offers coarse honing, fine honing, and a dedicated groove for sharpening fish hooks, adding to the tool’s versatility.
- Small Ceramic Rod: Designed for touching up serrated edges, this smaller rod ensures even specialized blades can be kept in top condition.
- Leather Strop: For achieving a razor-sharp, polished edge, the integrated leather strop is the final step in creating a truly keen blade.
Interchangeable Diamond Plates
The coarse and fine diamond sharpening plates are easily interchangeable and securely held in place by strong magnets. This magnetic system has proven reliable and durable, keeping the plates firmly attached even after years of use. Removing the coarse diamond plate reveals a hidden compartment containing a valuable resource: a rolled-up, full-color instruction sheet. This step-by-step guide is particularly helpful for users who are new to the Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener, providing clear directions on how to effectively use each sharpening stage.
Integrated Broadhead Wrenches
Beneath the fine diamond plate, you’ll find another clever feature: two broadhead wrenches. These are invaluable for bow hunters, designed to assist in removing most 2, 3, and 4-blade hunting broadheads for sharpening. This integration shows the thoughtful design of the Work Sharp tool, catering to a range of outdoor needs. And for quick reference, even if the instruction sheet is misplaced, Work Sharp has thoughtfully included basic usage guidelines with a sticker located on the underside of the fine sharpening plate.
Effortless Knife Sharpening with Angle Guides
Sharpening knives, especially in the field, can be challenging. A common hurdle for many is maintaining a consistent sharpening angle. Work Sharp addresses this head-on by incorporating built-in 20-degree angle guides adjacent to both the fine and coarse diamond plates. These guides simplify the sharpening process significantly.
To sharpen a standard outdoor knife, begin by placing the Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener on a stable, flat surface with the fine diamond plate facing upwards (distinguished by its smoother texture). Securely grip the handle with one hand. Position the knife blade flat against the guide closest to the handle, ensuring the base of the cutting edge is in contact with the sharpening plate.
Using a smooth, consistent stroke, push the blade away from your body in a natural, slightly arcing motion, maintaining the angle dictated by the guide. It’s crucial to ensure the entire blade edge makes contact with the abrasive surface throughout each stroke.
Patience is Key to a Sharp Edge
Avoid applying excessive pressure; let the diamond abrasives do the work. Perform 5 to 10 strokes on one side of the blade, carefully counting each stroke for consistency. Then, switch to the opposite side and pull the knife towards you (exercising caution) and repeat for the same number of strokes. Continue this process, alternating sides, and periodically check the blade’s sharpness. A blade that is already reasonably sharp may only require 5 to 10 strokes per side, while a very dull edge will necessitate more repetitions.
Achieving Razor Sharpness
Once the blade has reached a satisfactory level of sharpness with the diamond plates, rotate the tool 90 degrees so that the long ceramic sharpener is facing upwards. Turn the red knob to the “F” setting to expose the fine ceramic sharpener.
Using the same technique as with the fine diamond plate, hone the blade with 5 strokes per side on the fine ceramic rod. After this stage, your knife should be approaching razor sharpness. If not, revisit the diamond plate sharpening steps.
Polishing to a Razor Edge with the Leather Strop
For those seeking the ultimate in sharpness – a razor edge – the final step is stropping. Rotate the tool to position the leather strop upwards. Wearing gloves for safety, place the knife on the black guide closest to the handle, with the blade facing downwards and away from the leather strop. Maintaining the angle set by the guide, push the knife upwards and over the guide, moving away from your body. Then, use the guide on the opposite side, pulling the spine side of the blade up and over the guide, towards you. Alternate these stropping motions for a total of 10 passes – 5 on each side. Following stropping, your blade should be exceptionally sharp. If further refinement is needed, repeat the previous sharpening stages.
Bonus Tip: For more advanced sharpening techniques, including repairing damaged blades, explore resources like video tutorials on achieving a shaving-sharp edge.
Effective for Recurve Blades
Recurve blades, known for their curved cutting edge, often pose sharpening challenges. The Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener addresses this with its large ceramic hone and pre-set guides. Position the tool with the large ceramic rod facing upwards. For survival knives, you can utilize either the coarse (“C”) or fine (“F”) side of the ceramic rod, selectable via the dial. The coarse setting provides a more aggressive edge suitable for utility tasks, while the fine setting is ideal for hunting knives, pocket knives, or a finer finish on survival knives. Use the same technique of 5-10 strokes per side until the desired sharpness is achieved.
Sharpening Serrated Edges
The versatility of the Work Sharp extends to serrated blades. Both the large and small ceramic rods can be used for sharpening serrations. Choose the ceramic rod size that best fits the individual serrations. Match the existing bevel angle of the serrations and use a push/pull motion, applying approximately 5 strokes to each serration for touch-ups.
Bonus Tip: For heavily damaged or extremely dull serrations, consider using a specialized serration sharpener like the Smith’s Pocket Pal, which features a cone-shaped diamond rod.
Easy Hook Sharpening
For anglers, maintaining sharp hooks is paramount. The Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener includes dedicated grooves on the large ceramic rod specifically for sharpening fish hooks. Simply rotate the red dial to the “HOOK” setting and run the hook back and forth within the groove.
Broadhead Sharpening Capability
Archery hunters will appreciate the broadhead arrow wrenches integrated into the tool. These wrenches facilitate the removal of broadheads for sharpening. Using leather gloves and exercising caution, the ceramic rod and leather strop can be employed to touch up the edges of broadhead blades.
Minor Drawbacks to Consider
Despite its numerous advantages, there are a few minor downsides to the Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener. Firstly, the 20-degree angle guides, while incredibly helpful for ease of use and consistency, are most effective when the blade’s bevel is close to 20 degrees. While many knives are indeed close to this angle, those with significantly different bevels might require resetting the edge or sharpening freehand without the guides. Secondly, the leather strop, over time, can dry out. Regularly applying a light coat of mineral oil can prevent this and maintain its effectiveness. Lastly, it would be beneficial if the tool included a pouch or sheath for storage and protection. A simple workaround is to wrap it in canvas or cloth for protection.
Limitations in Size
While versatile, the Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener is best suited for blades up to approximately 7 inches in length. Sharpening larger blades, such as bolos or machetes, can be more challenging due to the tool’s size. Similarly, while hatchets and axes can be honed, a double-sided sharpening puck is generally preferred for these larger tools.
Conclusion: An Essential Field Sharpening Tool
Despite these minor points, the Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener remains an outstanding tool. Its ease of use, versatility, capability, and portability are unmatched in the realm of field sharpeners. It’s an ideal companion for travel, camping, bug-out bags, and survival training scenarios. With a strong 4.6 out of 5-star rating on platforms like Amazon, users consistently praise its portability, user-friendliness, and affordability (typically priced between $25 and $40 USD). It effectively sharpens knives, even for those with limited sharpening experience.
Exploring Other Sharpening Alternatives
For those considering other options, the Lansky 4-Rod Turn Box Stick Sharpener offers a classic crock-style field sharpener at a more budget-friendly price point. For workshop-based knife sharpening, the DMT DuoSharp diamond sharpening system, with its dual-grit plates, or the comprehensive Lansky Guided Sharpening Kit are excellent choices. And when power is available, the WorkSharp WSKTS Knife and Tool Sharpener provides a powered solution for rapid and effective sharpening.
In summary, the Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener is a highly recommended tool for anyone needing to maintain sharp blades in field conditions. Its comprehensive features and ease of use make it a top choice for outdoor enthusiasts, survivalists, and anyone who values a sharp edge on their knives and tools. For a more in-depth visual guide and tutorial, explore video reviews and demonstrations available online.
