8 Very Best Knife Sharpeners of 2025 

A good knife sharpener can make all the difference when your blade’s gone dull. If you’ve got a knife that’s not cutting it anymore, you’re in the right place. I’ll break down the best sharpeners of 2025 for all sorts of knives. Whatever blade you’re working with, you’ll find the perfect way to get it popping hairs again.

In This Article

1. BEST KNIFE SHARPENER – DMT Dia-Sharp Diamond Sharpening Stones 
2. BEST KITCHEN KNIFE SHARPENER – Real Steel Japanese Whetstones 
3. BEST HUNTING KNIFE SHARPENER – Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener 
4. BEST FOLDING KNIFE SHARPENER – Spyderco SharpMaker 
5. BEST ELECTRIC KNIFE SHARPENER – Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener Ken Onion Edition Elite MK.2 
6. BEST ROLLING KNIFE SHARPENER – Work Sharp Rolling Knife Sharpener 
7. BEST BUDGET KNIFE SHARPENER – Smith’s 3-in-1 Knife Sharpening System 
8. BEST KNIFE SHARPENING SYSTEM – Work Sharp Professional Precision Adjust Elite 
9. Frequently Asked Questions 

1. BEST KNIFE SHARPENER – DMT Dia-Sharp Diamond Sharpening Stones

The DMT Dia-Sharp plated diamond stones are about the most versatile sharpeners you can buy. They come in multiple grits, but if you can only have one, I’d recommend the course one. But if you want those crazy sharp edges, get a progression all the way up to extra-extra-fine! 

BEST KITCHEN KNIFE SHARPENER – Real Steel Japanese Whetstones 

These whetstones provide a clean and even scratch pattern resulting in extremely refined edges with high polish. With a couple of these Real Steel stones and a bit of practice, you’ll have edges worthy of a Michelin-star chef! 

BEST HUNTING KNIFE SHARPENER – Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener 

Hunters need really sharp knives for skinning and processing, but they also need to minimize pack size and weight for packout. That’s where the Guided Field Sharpener comes in handy, providing everything you need to get shaving edges in one compact, lightweight package. 

BEST FOLDING KNIFE SHARPENER – Spyderco SharpMaker

The Spyderco SharpMaker makes sharpening quicker and easier than just about anything else, which makes it perfect for throwing an edge on a folder as you walk out the door in the morning. It requires no maintenance and is super easy to use, so you can’t go wrong! 

BEST ELECTRIC KNIFE SHARPENER – Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener Ken Onion Edition Elite MK.2 

The Ken Onion Edition Elite Knife & Tool Sharpener MK.2 isn’t just an electric sharpener; it’s also a compact belt grinder. It’s perfect for everything from small edge tune-ups to full edge reprofiles. 

BEST ROLLING KNIFE SHARPENER – Work Sharp Rolling Knife Sharpener 

Rolling knife sharpeners are a newcomer so there aren’t many options. But the Work Sharp Rolling Sharpener is the best you can get right now! With its selection of four angle guides and broad grit progression, it’s perfect for all kinds of knives! 

BEST BUDGET KNIFE SHARPENER – Smith’s 3-in-1 Knife Sharpening System 

You can sharpen just about anything with this sub-$25 sharpener. The Smith’s 3-in-1 Knife Sharpening System has a carbide pull-through sharpener, a plated diamond stone, and a ceramic v-style sharpener all in one compact package!

BEST KNIFE SHARPENING SYSTEM – Work Sharp Professional Precision Adjust Elite 

The Work Sharp Professional Precision Adjust Elite fixed-angle system has everything to take your knife from extremely dull to polished and hair-splitting sharp. It also has a clamp and a guide rod to make sure you don’t mess up. It’s a great one-and-done sharpener for any knife collector! 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

What is the best knife sharpener? 

The best knife sharpener is the one that you know how to use and gets your knives as sharp as you need. If you’re good with a whetstone, don’t bother with a fixed angle sharpener. If you’re happy with the edges you get from a pull-through sharpener, no need for anything more fancy. The choice is up to you! Don’t let anyone on the internet tell you you’re doing it wrong! 

What is the best angle for knife sharpening? 

It depends on the knife. Kitchen knives like narrower edges, around 15­­° to 17° per side. These narrow edges have an easier time slicing, however, they are susceptible to chipping. Heavy-duty knives for chopping have broader edges, around 20° to 25° per side. These are more resistant to damage, but they don’t cut as cleanly. Most knives will be somewhere in the middle! 

How do you use a knife sharpener? 

Sharpening a knife means removing material from the bevel of the edge to make the apex of the edge more pointy. Whatever sharpener you use, it’s trying to do just that. The key is to maintain your angle as best you can, be patient, and practice. If you’d like to learn the tips and tricks of your particular sharpener, I’d first check with your sharpener’s manufacturer. They often have a bunch of good info on their websites. 

How do you sharpen a knife without a sharpener? 

Anything that can slowly remove material from the edge of your knife can work as a sharpener. If you know how to use a whetstone, you can achieve similar results using the unglazed ring around the bottom of a ceramic coffee mug, the course crown at the top of a car window, a smooth rock out of a river bed, etc. It won’t work as well as a proper sharpener, but you can make do in a pinch. 

How do you sharpen serrated edges? 

Serrated edges need a rod-style sharpener, and each scallop must be sharpened individually. It’s not especially difficult to do, but it is very time consuming. My best advice is to get the sharpener, put on an audio book, and spend a good hour or two carefully honing each serration.