Keeping your knives sharp in the field is crucial for various outdoor activities, from camping and hunting to survival situations. The Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener is a versatile tool designed to easily sharpen knives and other bladed tools on the go. This guide provides a detailed look at how to use this sharpening system effectively.
The Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener is a compact and lightweight multi-tool designed for sharpening almost any knife blade. It boasts multiple sharpening surfaces, making it a comprehensive solution for maintaining your blades in the field.
Size and Weight
The sharpener is approximately 7 inches (18 centimeters) long, 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) high and wide, and weighs only 4.6 ounces (129 grams). This makes it easily portable for any outdoor adventure.
Features and Components
The Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener includes five major sharpening surfaces:
- Removable coarse and fine diamond sharpening plates
- A 3-position ceramic rod for coarse honing, fine honing, and sharpening fish hooks
- A smaller ceramic rod for touching up serrated edges
- A leather strop for polishing edges to razor sharpness
Using the Diamond Plates
The diamond sharpening plates are interchangeable and held securely by strong magnets. The coarse plate, when removed, reveals a compartment containing a step-by-step instruction sheet, perfect for beginners.
Broadhead Wrenches
Under the fine plate, you’ll find broadhead wrenches, a useful feature for bow hunters needing to remove and hone hunting points. Basic usage instructions are also conveniently printed on the underside of the fine sharpening plate.
Sharpening a Knife: Step-by-Step
The Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener simplifies knife sharpening with its built-in 20-degree guides, ensuring a consistent angle between the blade and the stone.
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Preparation: Place the sharpener on a flat, stable surface with the fine plate facing up.
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Initial Sharpening: Grasp the handle firmly and lay the knife flat on the guide closest to the handle, ensuring the base of the cutting edge is in contact with the stone.
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Sharpening Motion: Push the blade away from you in a smooth, circular motion, maintaining the angle set by the guide. Make sure the entire edge contacts the abrasive surface during each stroke.
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Repetition: Repeat this motion 5 to 10 times on one side, counting your strokes. Then, repeat on the opposite side by pulling the knife toward you (carefully). Continue this process, checking the blade’s sharpness after each set. A well-maintained edge might only need 5 to 10 strokes per side, while a dull edge may require more.
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Fine Honing: Once the blade is sharp, rotate the tool 90 degrees to expose the long ceramic sharpener. Turn the red knob to the “F” position to expose the fine ceramic sharpener. Using the same technique as with the diamond stone, hone the blade with 5 strokes on each side.
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Stropping for Razor Sharpness: For an even sharper edge, turn the tool to use the leather strop. Place the knife on the black guide closest to the handle with the blade facing down and away from the leather. Maintain the angle and push the knife up and over the guide, away from you. Repeat on the other side by pulling the spine side of the blade up, over the guide, and toward you. Alternate for a total of 10 strops (5 on each side).
Sharpening Recurve Blades
The Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener also handles recurve blades with ease, thanks to the large ceramic hone and preset guides. Position the tool with the large ceramic rod facing up and select either the coarse or fine side, depending on your desired edge. Use the same technique as with straight blades, applying 5-10 strokes on each side.
Sharpening Serrated Edges
The tool can sharpen serrations using the small ceramic rod. Choose the rod size that best fits each serration, match the bevel angle, and use a push/pull motion. About 5 strokes on each serration should suffice for touch-ups.
Sharpening Hooks
For anglers, the tool features a special set of grooves on the large ceramic rod for sharpening hooks. Simply turn the red dial to the “HOOK” setting and run your hook back and forth in the slot.
Sharpening Broadheads
The broadhead arrow wrenches make removing arrows for honing easy. Use the ceramic rod and strop to touch up your broadhead blades with care.
Potential Drawbacks
While the Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener is versatile, there are a few potential drawbacks:
- The 20-degree angle guides may not match the bevel of all knives, requiring you to reset the edge or sharpen without the guides.
- The leather strop can dry out over time, requiring occasional treatment with mineral oil.
- The tool doesn’t come with a pouch or sheath, requiring a separate storage solution.
Limitations
While the tool can sharpen blades up to 7 inches, larger blades like bolos and machetes are more challenging. For hatchets and axes, a double-sided sharpening puck is often preferred.
Final Thoughts
The Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener is an easy-to-use, versatile, capable, and portable field sharpening tool ideal for travel, camping, bug-out bags, and survival training. Despite its minor drawbacks, its affordability and ease of use make it a popular choice for both beginners and experienced outdoors enthusiasts. Keep your blades in top condition with this handy tool.
