Back in July of this year, I picked up the Work Sharp Field Sharpener. I had been searching for a great solution for maintaining my knives and tools in the field. So I ultimately decided on this self-contained system for a few reasons, which I can’t wait to break down below.
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Bushcraft Tool Kit
A while back I shared my Bushcraft Possibles Pouch with you all. It broke down everything that I keep in my pouch, which includes the Work Sharp Field Sharpener.
Sure, the Field Sharpener is a bit larger and bulkier than a classic Arkansas Stone. But believe me, you are going to get 110% more versatility out of the Field Sharpener. You essentially get 4 levels of ‘grit’ and a strop. The added versatility of this system makes the size and weight a worthwhile tradeoff.
Shown Above: Work Sharp Field Sharpener and Mora Eldris
Not just a ‘guided’ system
I’ve seen several people within the bushcraft community scoff at sharpeners that pre-determine the angle for you (ie: guided systems). And I do agree that I don’t want to ruin a true Scandi grind by putting a secondary bevel on it.
But, what a lot of people don’t know is the Work Sharp Field Sharpener has removable diamond stones. This feature allows you to easily snap these off (magnetically), lay them on a flat surface and easily maintain Scandi or Convex grinds.
Have a knife with a secondary bevel? Go ahead and use the pre-determined angles…They work great!
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Shown Above: Work Sharp Field Sharpener, Opinel No 8 Trekking and Tops Tanimboca Puukko
Work Sharp Field Sharpener Performance
We’ve already determined that the Field Sharpener is incredibly versatile and can sharpen a lot of different grinds. But how well does it actually sharpen them? My answer: Surgically sharp.
When I received the Opinel No. 8 Trekking above it left a bit to be desired. The edge has a pretty noticeable burr and it needed some work all around. Within 20 Minutes of working the Opinel across the diamond stones and then on to the Ceramic Rods, it was surgically sharp.
The same has been true for every other knife or tool I’ve maintained with the Work Sharp Field Sharpener. All of them have gotten very sharp, very quickly. That’s part of the reason why I love the Diamond Stones. They make incredibly short work of bringing an edge back to a well-loved tool.
But the finishing aspects of the sharpening process should not be overlooked. The ceramic rods do a great job of finishing your edge. Or simply maintaining a tool that needs a bit of “oomph” that the strop can’t give.
Who is the Work Sharp Field Sharpener for?
If you have a knife I would recommend the Work Sharp Field Sharpener to you without hesitation. It’s really that simple. You don’t have to be a specific type of person to get a lot of value out of this system. It’s a very versatile piece of kit that will fit in well with bushcrafters (like myself), campers, hikers, hunters, EDC enthusiasts…You name it.
Work Sharp Field Sharpener Review (10 out of a 10)
I’ve used a lot of sharpeners over the years and a lot have left me disappointed. But the Work Sharp Field Sharpener has been a breath of fresh air. From the first time I used it, I was impressed.
It’s one of those things that I can reach for and know it’s going to work without any trouble. Definitely pick one of these sharpeners up if you’re pondering it…They’re absolutely worth it!
Shown Above: Work Sharp Field Sharpener, Überleben Zünden Fire Steel, Opinel No 8 Trekking and Olight S2R Baton II
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Ethics Statement: I personally purchased my Work Sharp Field Sharpener. Work Sharp has not previously proof-read or influenced this article in any way. All opinions, statements, and content are my own.