The best knife sharpener for hunting is the kind that lets you easily change the sharpness of your knife. If you plan on hunting with a knife, a multi-purpose knife like a Spyderco knife will do for everyday use and most hunting trips. But if you’re planning on going into more difficult terrain or taking your knife into a situation where sharpening is necessary, consider something more durable and a little heavier like a Gerber knife sharpener. In this article, I’ll show you how I go about sharpening my knives and where I get the best knife sharpener for hunting.
One hunting knife sharpener that I really enjoy is the Gerber Multi-purpose Edge Retractor (aka GSIREX). The reason I like it is that I don’t have to worry about changing blades. However, there are downsides to the Gerber. First, it can be a little hard to manually adjust the angle of the blade and I find that the button that releases the knife from the socket is tough to press.
A hunting knife that uses a spring mounted sharpener like the Rockler series also works well for me. I find that the steel stays nice and even after several uses. Unlike many of the other sharpeners on the market today, I don’t need to use an electric sharpener to get great results. The advantage of gas-powered sharpeners like the Gerber brand is that they give better edge retention. They also don’t have quite as much to give as the former pick of choice, the electric sharpeners.
If you want the best, and the most consistent results, then I would suggest checking out the Gerber Multi-purpose Edge Retractor (GSIREX). I use this every time I get ready to go on my next hunting trip. It’s just so easy to use – I simply grab the handle and move the blade forwards and backwards in order to sharpen up my knife!
I also have a Gerber Rockler Mincer that I use for all of my chopping and mincing tasks. When sharpening it, I prefer to use the “dry ice” technique. I apply plenty of cold water to the edge and let it sit for about five minutes before I run the blade across it. I find that this technique helps to extend the lifespan of both the knife and the e2 sharpener. I haven’t had any problems with wear or corrosion with either one yet.
There are other options on the market as well, including some of the more fancy brands like Wusthof and Kershaw. I found that Wusthof offers the best results when sharpening a knife with a conventional steak knife sharpener. While the edges of their edged blades are not as deep, they’re long enough to be very useful. The advantage to them is that they allow you to perform tasks like carving and slicing right at home. One downside is that the Wusthof name is associated with high-quality goods, so be prepared to pay a little bit extra for them.
For those of you out there who prefer to make their own blades, I recommend the Wusthof Spirit sharpening system. They have several models including the Spirit II, the Spirit III, and the Spirit V. They use traditional methods like the flat grind and the oil stone to create your blades. The flat grind is performed with the same tools and procedures that you would use to grind your own knife. The oil stone is performed by placing the stone in an oil pan and heating the stone until it melts. Once the stone is hot, you place your knife in the pan and apply pressure on the flat side of the stone until the knife slips out of the pan.
If you’re looking for a kitchen knife, consider the Wusthof Classic Grit electric sharpening kit. They use traditional methods such as flat grind, but they also utilize finer grit stones. These work really well for the kinds of kitchen knives that you’ll be carrying around. The Classic Grit sharpeners require that you purchase a starter set that includes some stones so that you can sharpen your knives yourself. This is a great option for people who want the feel of owning a premium knife but don’t want to pay a lot of money for it.
Isabelle Johnson is a fitness expert and yoga trainer with over 12 years of experience as a dietician. Her knowledge of nutritional facts has made her take to the web with her blog, Sprout and Press.
Isabelle lets her audience understand products used in the kitchen, which can improve your diet, add more convenient ways to juice, create smoothies, and do so much more. Her blog informs readers about the newest kitchenware and the benefits each ingredient brings to the table. In 2016, sproutandpress.com was founded to share her knowledge with the world and inspire a better, healthier tomorrow.
