Knife Sharpener Slot

4/2/2022by admin

If you are in a hurry and would like to know which knife sharpener was the best for hunting, then I would recommend the Lansky Sharpening Tool.

Pull the blade through from its base to its tip 3 to 6 times. Insert the blade into the manual sharpener at the base, which is where the blade meets the handle. Use gentle force, pushing the blade down as you pull it through the slot, toward your body. Repeat this action 3 to 6 times, 3 for a mildly-dull blade, or more for a severely-dull blade. This knife set does have a block ceramic sharpener within each slot, except for the steak knives. While the block is not made of wood, it is still aesthetically attractive and will fit on most kitchen counters without much trouble.

Nobody likes to work with a dull knife. It is not only frustrating but also dangerous because you need to apply more pressure than necessary to get the work done, and this extra pressure makes it harder to handle the blade at a safe level. If you are an avid hunter or you like to work with hunting knives, then you will know that hunting knives can cut through harder material that your regular kitchen knives.

Here is the problem.

Cutting through harder material makes the knife more prone to dullness. The last thing you need is to cut yourself on the field when you are far from the nearest hospital. You also need to know how to effectively sharpen hunting knives because they are different than other knives.

The solution.

In the next section, I have given you a tutorial on how to choose the best knife sharpeners for hunting purposes. I have also given you five of the best sharpeners so that you do not need to scour the internet with frustration. Below is a summary of the five knife sharpeners that you will get.

Best Hunting Knife Sharpeners Summary

#1 Lansky Sharpening Tool (Top Pick)
#2 Smith’s 50264 (Budget Friendly)
#3 Work Sharp (Most Efficient)

Are you ready?

Let’s go.

Knife Sharpening Salt Lake City

Choosing The Right Knife Sharpener For Hunting Knives?

In this newbie guide, I will explain the different factors that you need to look at before buying a sharpener for your hunting knife. I will cover the best angle to use, the level of sharpening material used and also the experience level required with the products. You will also become more familiar with the most efficient knife sharpening system out there. I have also written an extensive guide on how to sharpen knives.

Choosing the optimum angle

The main difference between a hunting and kitchen knife is what you will be cutting with it (and its appearance off course). With hunting knives, you want to be able to skin a deer, cut through sticks, bone and also other harder material. The biggest mistake that most people make with hunting knives is that the angle of their cutting edge is too small. The best angle for the edge of knives that are cutting through harder material should be between 20° and 25°.

If you go under 20°, the cutting edge will become very thin and will start to bend once you begin to cut through hard material. When the edge of a knife is not straight, it will become dull and will need to be honed. Kitchen knives (knives that cut through softer material) can afford to have an edge of less than 20°. I made extra sure that all of the sharpening tools listed in this review fall between 20° and 25° angles.

The level of sharpening material used

For necessary knife sharpening, you need to be familiar with the types of materials used to sharpen knives and its textures. The most common types of materials used are sharpening stones, rods, tungsten steel and also abrasive belts. It is also essential to be familiar with the texture used in each of these items. The texture will range from coarse to fine and is measured in grit

Below are some of the types and textures most commonly found:

Coarse: This texture is best used to repair the damaged edge of a blade or to form a new one. This type will remove the most metal from the blade and should also be used sparingly. It should also be used when there is a chip in the edge.
Medium: The medium texture is used to refine the edge further to make it sharp. This texture level is used when there is already an edge on the blade. You can make a knife very sharp with this texture alone. This level will not shave as much steel like that of the coarse level.
Fine: Once the edge of the blade is formed and already sharp, what is stopping you from making it even sharper? The finer the grit, the less material will be taken away from the blade, but it will also make it sharper on a microscopic level.

For hunting purposes, you need a sharpener that has at least the medium and fine level to sharpen your blades.

The experience level required

Not all of us are experienced, and professional knife sharpeners like you so there had to include knife sharpening tools that almost anyone can use. The most important skill that you need to have or need to develop is to maintain a constant edge while sharpening the knife. If you can keep a constant edge even if the angle is not 100% correct, you will still manage to make your blade sharp.

All of the sharpening tools listed in this review must have some guide to accomplish this essential and crucial must-have skill. By far the easiest tool to use is going to be the Smith’s 50264 as you only need to slide the knife through the sharpening slot to make it sharp again.

If you are more experienced and old fashioned, you can go for Smith’s TRI-HONE which makes use of sharpening stones. You will also get a guide to help you maintain an angle.

The best sharpening tool for the high-frequency sharpener

Some of us only hunt once per year which means we only need to sharpen our knives once a year as well. The same cannot be said for hunters or sharpeners that needs or wants to sharpen their knives several times per year. Some might even sharpen other people’s knives as well. If you fall into this category, you need a very efficient sharpening system.

If you are living in the 21st century, why should you use stone age methods to sharpen your blades? The most efficient knife sharpening system is this one from Work Sharp. It makes use of abrasive belts that are being driven by a motor. No need to tirelessly scrape your knife across a stone to get it sharp again.

#1 Lansky Sharpening Tool (Top Pick)

Best for: This product is best for those that want both a versatile and complete sharpening system that is easy to use.

Editors Rating: 10/10
Price Range: $$
Type: Coarse, Medium, Fine and Serrated

This sharpening system from Lansky is my top recommended product because of how easy it is to use and to maintain a constant edge. It makes use of a clamp that will attach itself to the spine of the knife. This sharpening system can also be called a controlled angle sharpening system. You will also find four different sharpening hones where one of them can be used for sharpening serrated edges while the other three hones are coarse, medium and fine in texture.

For each stone or honing rod, you will find a guiding rod as well. The guiding rod is used along with the clamp to maintain a consistent edge. On both sides of the clamp, you will have four holes where each one represents a different angle (17 °, 20°, 25°, and 30°). The best angle to use for hunting knives is the 25° angle. You will also get honing oil along with the kit which is used to clean the stoned when they are clogged up with steel filings. You always want to start with the coarse honing rod and work your way up to the finer one.

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#2 Smith’s 50264 (Budget Friendly)

Best for: The Smith’s 50264 sharpening tool is best for those that want an easy to use tool at a very low cost.

Editors Rating: 8/10
Price Range: $
Type: Coarse, Fine and Serrated

This tool from Smith’s is far the easiest tool to use when it comes to knife sharpening. You do not need any skillset to sharpen your knives with this tool. If you can pull a knife through sharpening slots, then this product is for you. This product has three sharpening slots which come in coarse, fine and also used for serrated edges. The coarse slot is used when the blade’s edge is damaged, and you need to create a new one. The fine slot is used to make the edge deadly sharp.

There is also an adjustment knob which is used to adjust the angle of the slots to fit your knife’s current angle. The knob can change the angle from 14° up to 25°. The best angle for hunting knives is 25°. There are many products on the market that have these sharpening slots, and only this product enables you to change the angle. It also has a legend on the side which will inform you on the best angle for the type of knife you wish to sharpen. This product is also very safe to use. It has a soft rubber grip handle and non-slip rubber feet which prevents it from slipping.

>> Check Price And Availability <<

#3 Work Sharp (Most Efficient)

Best for: If you are after efficiency and sharpen a lot of hunting knives, then this product is for you.

Editors Rating: 9/10
Price Range: $$$
Type: Coarse, Medium and Fine

Do you want to know how professional knife sharpeners sharpen their client’s knives? They do it with the help of belt grinders and sanders. Do you need to buy such a setup? No, but there is nothing wrong with getting your hands on the mini version. This tool from Work Sharp makes use of belts that runs with the help of a motor that runs on 110 volts. It comes with three types of abrasive belts such as coarse P80, medium P220 and fine 6000.

It is always best to start with the coarse belt to form a new edge and then move onto the medium and fine to sharpen the blade. This sharpener also has a 20° and 25° angle guide which is perfect for hunting knives. This guide will ensure that the edge of your blade is constant and sharpened evenly. This tool is also not limited to hunting knives but can sharpen scissors, axes, mowing blades and even other tools that need sharpening. It can also sharpen blades which have serrated edges.

>> Check Price And Availability <<

#4 Smith’s TRI-HONE

Best for: This product is ideal for knife sharpeners that are old fashioned in using sharpening stones.

Editors Rating: 8/10
Price Range: $$
Type: Coarse, Medium and Fine

Using sharpening stones is cut out for professional knife sharpeners. This product makes it easier for intermediate and newbies to use. This product makes use of three stones that are mounted on a rotating triangle that can be placed on a molded plastic base with rubber feet. The three stones represent the coarse synthetic stone (400 grit), the medium Arkansas stone (600 grit) and also the fine Arkansas stone (1200 grit). The stones will be named and even color coded to help you identify them quickly.

Along with the stone setup, you will get a honing solution which will help to keep them clean. You will also get an angle guide which will make this process a lot easier at maintaining a constant angle. There is also a “V” trough in the middle of the plastic base which will catch the dripping honing solution. To use this product at its full potential, you need to start with the coarse stones and work your way up to the finer ones.

>> Check Price And Availability <<

#5 Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker

Best for: This product is best for knife sharpeners that yearn after a simple sharpening system that will maintain a constant edge.

Editors Rating: 7.5/10
Price Range: $$$
Type: Medium and Fine

If you can hold your knife straight at a 90° angle, then you can easily make use of this sharpening system. This kit comes with two sets of high alumina ceramic stones which include two medium grit stones and two fine grit stones. The plastic base of this product has keyed holes in which the sharpening rods should be placed in. When the knife is placed at a 90° angle or straight down, you will sharpen the knife at a 15° or 20°. For hunting knives, I would recommend any angle from 20° up to 25°.

You can also sharpen a blade that has a serrated edge. It also comes with brass safety rods which will help keep the blade away from your hands while sharpening. This product can be assembled quickly and be stored inside the lid for secure storage.

>> Check Price And Availability <<

Knife Sharpener Comparison Table

Conclusion

Today, I have covered 5 of the best sharpeners for hunting knives so that you never need to struggle with a dull knife. Above, you will see a small comparison table, and I have also written a buying guide at the beginning of the article.

Which knife sharpener was your favorite?

Leave a comment below and share with us your choice. Learn more about the knives that we have reviewed here.

If only your kitchen knife set could sharpen itself instead of you having to sit down and sharpen the blade individually. What if we told you there were self-sharpening knife sets around that you could afford and that weren’t gimmicks? Let’s go through the best self-sharpening knife sets you can find. Start with our guide to these kitchen collections below first, so you know what to look for.

If you want a quick list, check our top 6 below:

What Is a Self-Sharpening Knife Set?

What distinguishes a self-sharpening knife set from a regular knife set? In a nutshell, it has to do with the storage block that usually comes with these sets. Indeed, never trust a self-sharpening knife that comes by itself to actually be self-sharpening.

You see, real self-sharpening sets have storage blocks that include ceramic knife sharpening edges that are positioned inside the slots for each knife. This way, whenever you store your knives after using them, they automatically rub against the sharpeners within the block. They’re also sharpened when you retrieve the knives to use them again. In this way, the knives are sharpened ever so slightly every time withdraw them from the block, meaning you have to spend less (or no) time sharpening them yourself.

The ceramic sharpeners within the blocks don’t actually remove steel to create a sharper edge. Instead, they hone the edge of your knives, which essentially means that they realign the edge each time you pull them out or put them back inside.

So does this mean that you actually never need to sharpen them? Not exactly. If you use your knives frequently, you may need to do your own sharpening or honing in addition to the passive sharpening that happens when you insert the knives into the block. However, there’s no denying that these sets require you to sharpen less frequently than you otherwise would have to.

You can also check our Forged in Fire knives review or Emeril 19-piece hollow handle & knife block set review.

What to Look For in a Self-Sharpening Knife Set?

There are several key things you should look for when purchasing a self-sharpening knife set.

Number of Knives

Firstly, consider the number of knives that come with the set. Some knife sets include as few as 4 to 6 pieces; these have staple knives like chef’s knives, which are versatile and can handle a lot of different cutting tasks. Others will have knives numbering up to 10 or 15. These usually have more specialized blades that can accomplish a variety of specific tasks.

We’d recommend focusing on a knife set that has plenty of blades to spare if you want dedicated knives for all your cooking needs. But if you will only rarely be using the knife set, you can probably get away with fewer knives overall.

Handles

Next, consider the handles of the knife set in question. Some knives are made with ornate or beautiful wooden handles that are a delight to hold and an aesthetic boost to your kitchen. Others may be wood-like, with handles that are created from a synthetic material designed to look and feel like real wood. These are a little cheaper than regular wooden handles in many cases. Still, other knife handles might be made from a synthetic material that isn’t particularly aesthetically pleasing but is cheaper overall.

There’s no right or wrong answer but, if you do choose a set with wooden handles, try to find knives whose handles are protected against water damage.

Steel Quality

You’ll also want to consider the quality of the steel in a given knife set. While virtually all knives will be made of some kind of steel, there are different grades or qualities that can determine how long the knives will last and how well they will cut or slice your food.

Carbon steel is usually the best bang for your buck, and it’s often made as a type of stainless steel, at least for the outermost layer. This is another great thing to look for because stainless steel prevents corrosion from affecting your knives and looks extremely polished and high-quality as well.

Weight

Finally, consider the overall weight of knives within the set. Some knives are significantly heavier than others and may be more difficult to wield for long stretches of time. Others are pretty lightweight. There’s no right or wrong answer here either, but it’s something to consider in terms of your personal preferences.

The 6 Best Self-Sharpening Knife Sets

1. Calphalon Classic Self-Sharpening 15-Pc Set

This knife set comes with 15 pieces in total, featuring every major blade type you could need for a full, six-course meal prep session! Available blades range from serrated utility knives to chefs’ knives to steak knives, and the set even includes a 4 ½ inch paring knife. Whether you need to saw through meat, slice and dice vegetables, or cut up fruit into neat little pieces, this knife set will have enough blades for your objective.

The set comes with a wooden storage block that features ceramic sharpeners in each knife slot. The slots are individual for each blade, with the exception of the steak knives that are arrayed in a row near the bottom. Even better, the handles are labeled so you can easily see which blade is which without having to remove them and sharpen them too much as a result.

All the handles are triple-riveted for security and are contoured for an ergonomic grip. Additionally, every blade is “full tang” designed for even better strength and balance over their life spans. Speaking of lifespans, the set comes with a full lifetime warranty, so having a blade replaced is no trouble if there’s a manufacturer defect.

Pros:

Handles allow for easy identification
Handles are comfortable
Knife selection and variety is great
Steel blades are forged with high carbon content
Includes scissors as well

Cons:

Ceramic sharpeners can wear out a bit too quickly, may need replacing

The Final Verdict

All in all, it’s a great self-sharpening knife set that isn’t too pricey compared to others on the market. The handle labeling is a great feature we hope to see with future sets.

If you are interested in some of our other reviews, have a look at Kutt Chef knife or santoku vs. chef’s knife comparison.

2. Henckels 20-Pc Self-Sharpening Block Set

This knife set has even more individual blades than the last, numbering 20 in total. It also comes with a dedicated bread knife and boning knife; these are perfect for slicing through chunks of bread or preparing meat that has one or more bones still inside the cut. Other knives include utility blades, paring knives, and several steak knives.

The knives are seated within a self-sharpening knife block. The block is made of stained ash wood, which looks great and is likely to last for a long time. The block also comes with a brushed stainless steel cap that makes the knife set match the block in terms of aesthetics. The slots are labeled so you can easily guide the correct knives into the right slots without too much effort.

Furthermore, this set is a great choice because every knife is made with Zwilling J.A. Henckels quality; this company is centered in a German town renowned for its knife making history. You can rest assured that the blades will be high-quality when you try them out for the first time.

Pros:

Blades are extremely high-quality
There are labels on the block
Knife block looks great
Lots of stainless steel everywhere to reduce corrosive damage
Knife variety is excellent

Cons:

Block size/set collection can be a bit large for some counters

The Final Verdict

If you have space and are willing to pay for high-quality, this self-sharpening knife set is one of the best picks you can make in terms of quality and aesthetics.

3. Calphalon Contemporary Self-Sharpening 20-Piece Knife Set

This contemporary knife set also features 20 blades, with types ranging from boning to slicing to bread cutting. Kitchen shears are also included, and the blades are forged from high carbon, no-stain German steel, with the exception of the steak knives. These are made from stamped Asian steel. Either way, all the blades are high-quality and are designed with a full tang to increase their durability and balance.

The knives are set into a wooden block and feature the same labeling markings on their hilts as the first Calphalon set. Figuring out which knife is which is quick and easy.

Pros:

Has excellent labeling feature again
Plenty of knife variety
Wooden block is high-quality and beautiful
Both varieties of steel used are great

Cons:

Pretty expensive compared to other knife sets
Some of the ceramic sharpeners can wear out quickly

The Final Verdict

This is a great choice if you like the idea and look of the first set but want additional, specific blades for certain cooking or preparation tasks.

4. Calphalon Classic Self-Sharpening Stainless Steel 15-Piece Set

Calphalon returns once again with this classic knife set. It comes with 15 pieces in total and the blades are forged with high carbon content and no-stain, stamped steel material. As such, you’ll be able to rely on these blades for a long time to come.

The handles are labeled (as we would expect), and they are specially contoured to provide you with a secure and comfortable grip. They’re some of the best feeling and well-balanced knives you can find these days. A full lifetime warranty from Calphalon rounds out this set’s value.

Pros:

Includes a lifetime warranty from manufacturer problems
Steel quality and makeup is great
Wood block is stable and beautiful
Has labels on the handles and block

Cons:

Steak knife slots don’t always fully align

The Final Verdict

It’s another great set from Calphalon; we’d recommend it if you prefer this one’s aesthetic to the original we reviewed earlier.

To learn more about different type of knives, have a look at our best knives for boning deer or best knives for trimming meat.

The Best Budget Self-Sharpening Knife Sets

5. McCook MC29 Self-Sharpening Knife Set, 14-Pc

McCook provides us with a budget-friendly self-sharpening knife set numbering 14 pieces in total. The blades are made with German, high-quality and high-carbon stainless steel—no need to worry about corrosive damage or the knives losing their durability over time. The blades are designed with a tapered grind edge to provide them with optimum sharpness and make them even easier to re-sharpen. They’re also made with ergonomic handles for your comfort and convenience.

The knives store securely within the wooden block, which is both aesthetically pleasing and durable. We also like that the knife block has several balancing feet on the bottom, which keeps it stable on rickety surfaces like uneven tables. The big difference here between other self-sharpening sets is that it has a sharpening slot on the top right corner. You sharpen each knife individually using this slot.

Pros:

Block is high-quality and very stable
Knife steel quality is great
Knives are designed to sharpen easily and quickly
Handles are comfortable to use

Cons:

Have to sharpen each knife individually

The Final Verdict

If you don’t mind spending a little extra time sharpening the knives yourself, this is a great budget-friendly choice.

6. Sabatier Self-Sharpening Edgekeeper Pro 12-Piece Set

Here’s another budget-friendly self-sharpening kit, featuring 12 pieces including an 8-inch chef knife, several steak knives, and a few other specialty knives for paring or utility cutting. The knives are made from high carbon stainless steel, and the handles are created with a satin finish that makes them durable and sanitary. The knives are also comfortable to use over the long-term thanks to their handles’ ergonomic shape.

This knife set does have a block ceramic sharpener within each slot, except for the steak knives. While the block is not made of wood, it is still aesthetically attractive and will fit on most kitchen counters without much trouble.

Pros:

Most of the blades are good quality
Block is aesthetically unique
Knives are comfortable to hold
Handles have a satin finish

Knife Sharpener Store

Cons:

Steak knives can be a little thin compared to others
No labels

The Final Verdict

Knife Sharpener Slot Knife

It’s another good budget-friendly choice that balances quality with price without compromising too much on features or durability.

Concluding Our Best Self Sharpening Knife Sets Guide

In the end, all of these self-sharpening knife sets are excellent in terms of overall quality and value. Being able to rely on your knives being at least decently sharp without having to constantly sharpen them by hand is a huge deal. Hopefully, one of the above sets is perfect for your kitchen. Thanks for reading!

You may also want to check out our list of the best knife sets under $200 or Forever Sharp knives review.