A common problem for outdoor enthusiasts is the inability to maintain a respectable edge on their knives while on the trail.
Work Sharp has introduced the Guided Field Sharpener to help address this problem.
The tool is less than seven inches long, 1.5 inches wide, and one inch tall, which makes it a suitable size for a backpack, glove compartment or fishing tackle box. It comprises coarse and fine diamond sharpening plates, two ceramic rods and a leather strop conditioned with a micro-abrasive.
The diamond plates give the cutting bevel its basic shape. Once a plain knife edge has been set with the plates, it is honed into a proper edge with the fine setting on the main ceramic rod. You may then polish the honed edge with the leather strop, refining things even further.
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The sharpener has a course setting on its main ceramic rod for basic sharpening of the cutting bevel for working with a knife that has significant curves to its edge. The small and main ceramic rods can sharpen the edge scallops on knives with serrations.
The guides on the sharpening system are set to 20 degrees on a single bevel, or 40 degrees inclusive on an edge with bevels on both sides. This angle is similar to most western kitchen knives.
Work Sharp’s decision to use a 20 degree bevel means the tool can maintain most outdoors knives well. Some specialty blades require different bevel angles, so bear this in mind when considering how to maintain these less common tools.
The diamond sharpening plates are held onto the body of the tool with rare earth magnets. The user manual and wrenches for bow hunters are stored inside the body.
The sharpener is easy to use even for a novice sharpener. The guides make positioning a knife intuitive and repeatable for each step. Almost anyone can work a small to medium sized outdoors knife to a good functioning edge with only a short period of practice.
The tool can maintain other outdoors tools in the field such as axes, broad heads for hunting arrows, fishhooks, hatchets and machetes. Some of the larger items would require some effort, but getting them into good working form is definitely possible.
I am impressed with this sharpener and will be putting one in the family camper. It costs about $35.
Kim Quintin is a Saskatoon outdoor enthusiast and knife maker. He can be reached for column content suggestions at kim.quintin@producer.com.
