Customer Reviews

Smith's PP1 Pocket Pal Multifunction Sharpener

5 star:		(234)
4 star:		(83)
3 star:		(43)
2 star:		(21)
1 star:		(24)

 

 

Are there "better" sharpeners on the market? Probubly. But as an all around sharpener (I have several styles by several different manufacturers) this little gem is hands down THE BEST! Otherwise I would not have spent a week tracking this one down on the internet after all my local suppliers were "out of stock" or had moved on to more expensive less useful models. The thing folds up and goes in my pocket, it also has a handy hole for a lanyard which my new one is on. It does a great job on my chefs knives, my hunting knife and my serrated kives as well. It's easy for my big fingers to hold on to and steady on the edge of the counter when I am sharpening. I bought an extra one to put away in case this one gets "lost" or I give mine away to a friend. (In case you can't tell I really like it and would buy another one in a minute flat!)

This is a great sharpener it makes knives super sharp but not quite razor sharp it is much better than Smith's Abrasives 2 Step Knife Sharpener, that sharpener gets knives just as sharp as it has the same angles to the ceramic part of the sharpener; but that uses rods which get loose and end up rolling as you draw your knife through it and don't sharpen your knife. Also this is easier to get a blade into the ceramic sharpening part. This also includes a serrated knife sharpener, and this works well but i can't say much for it as it is the first serrated knife sharpener i have ever used.

i recommend pulling the blade through the carbide part 10 times using semi heavy to medium force, the using the ceramic part about 10 times using medium force then lighting up to about as light as you can get by the 10th stroke
skip the carbide part if your knife is already adequately sharp, only use the carbide part if your knife i dull or damaged as it takes off a lot of steel

I have been sharpening my own knives for years using the Gatco system. Normally I wouldn't trust my knives to anything but me and my Gatco. However, I do tend to spend a lot of time out in the woods and having a portable knife sharpener is an important part of my gear.

I was initially very hesitant to try this style of sharpener since the sharpening angle is fixed and not determined by me. Having now used the Smith's sharpener on several of my hunting and camping knives, I am recommending it to all my friends and have even purchased one for my hunting partner.

Great product, and I would buy it even at twice the price.

Good sharpener but with caveats.

Positives: small size, carbide cutters are very effective at removing metal, ease of use (no special techniques)

Negatives: small contact point on the blade (see below, not very stable if much pressure is applied

Due to the small contact point with the blade, pressure is directed onto a very small portion of the blade. This pressure will vary as you slide the blade through the sharpener (either as a result of nicks in the blade or human error/ inability to maintain perfect pressure). As a result you will end up with a slightly wavy edge to knife. Over time this waviness will likely be exaggerated.

I would say this sharpener is okay for a "quick and dirty" field sharpening of a camping or pocket knife, but I would not use it on fine blade steel or good kitchen knives.

Cheers.

Smith's PP1 Pocket Pal Multi-Functional Knife Sharpener is a worthwhile knife sharpener that is easy to use, compact, very affordable and perfect for field use when a quick sharpening is needed.

The Carbides provide a quick edge setting for knives that are very dull or chipped. The ceramic stones provide a razor sharp finished edge on either standard or serrated edges. The carbide and ceramic stones are replaceable. A fold out, tapered round, diamond coated rod is designed for sharpening serrated as well as standard edges. The Pocket Pal Multi-Functional Knife Sharpener is lightweight, durable, and comes with a lanyard hole. It is small enough to put in your pocket if necessary or in an E.D.C. bag.

I tested this sharpener on numerous knives such as a Spyderco, Ka-Bar Tactical, Leatherman, Air Force Survival knife and multiple Swiss Army Knives. I was very pleased how effective and efficient this sharpener worked. The tapered round, diamond coated rod was very easy to use on serrations. The only problem I encountered with this sharpener is that it does not seem to work as well with thicker blades. It does work but it is a little more difficult and the carbides seem to wear the blade down a bit more which is why I give it 4 stars instead of 5. I would not use this sharpener with a very high quality or expensive knife. I would say this sharpener is perfect for those times when a fast field sharpening of a camping or pocket knife is required.

Overall, I highly recommend this product and I will be purchasing another as a backup.

Bought this sharpener on a whim while at a local sporting goods store. I badly dulled one of my favorite pocket knives from over use. Impatiently, I tore open the package in my car and went to work. I figured that if the sharpener was bogus, I could just walk right back into the store and return it.

WOW!!! Was I surprised. This thing is amazing! A few passes through the carbide blades followed by a few through the ceramic and I was sold. Brand new, my knife was NEVER this sharp - and it only took a few seconds.

It's compact, light weight, amazingly effective and idiot proof. If you're thinking about getting one of these, don't even hesitate - just buy it.

Still can't believe that this thing is only $10. Best money I've ever spent.

This little sharpener is ok, but wears out quickly and is hard to hold while sharpening. The Klein 48036 is a better compact sharpener. It doesn't work on serrated blades like the Smith, but does work on scissors. The Klein is easy to hold and sharpens better longer.

This sharpener is a wonderful tool if used properly. There is surperb feedback from the edge as you sharpen it. I avoid the carbide unless the edge is damaged and I can't get to my sharpening stones. The carbide blades are aggressive I really only use them with a light touch to remove a nick or burr if I did something stupid and damaged the edge. Remember, unless YOU make a mistake and damage the edge, you should never get a burr or nick in your blade. Still it's good to have the carbide if it's needed. The ceramic I use in the morning, before I use the knife, to touch up the edge. Several passes with a light touch is all that's needed. Occasionally I touch it up during the day if I feel the blade dragging a bit.

It is possible to damage a blade with this (or any other) sharpener. Operator error, not the tool, would be the issue there. Uneven pressure, too heavy a pressure or too much haste are the main culprits causing trouble. This is a lightweight, small tool, it is best used with finesse. it is far better suited to several light, controlled strokes rather than a heavy handed mauling of your edge.

Also note that the grind angle is fixed at a fairly shallow angle that is not the best for fine edges. This is a utility grind angle. An angle best suited to field knives, kitchen choppers and general kitchen utility blades. With gentle use the ceramic can be use on fine edges, but a steeper angled tool would do a better job. Still, I do use the ceramic sharpening notch to touch up my kitchen knives and it does a decent job.

I've carried one of these ever since I first found them. I own several and have had a few "begged away" by friends. I've used it extensively. I've never damaged an edge or created a wavy, uneven edge. If you do manage that, you're not using the sharpener correctly. Light passes, even pressure and PAY ATTENTION. Avoid using the carbide unless you have a damaged or severely blunted/rounded edge. Even then, those problems are better fixed with a good quality stone. You can completely restore an edge with this tool, but it's takes more time and far more concentration that using a large stone.

The down side - I have carried a Sterling Superior Sharpener on my keyring for years. The Pocket Pal is about 4x as thick, so is bulkier in your pocket.

The up side - The Pocket Pal does a MUCH better job. My EDC SAK had gotten rather dull. 30 sec to 1 Minute later it was quite sharp. Sure, there are systems to get a blade razor sharp, and this isn't one. But considering time, effort and cost, I've never seem better.

The verdict - Right now my Sterling is on the coffee table for me to put away with the spares. The Pocket Pat is on my keyring in the pocket.

The hardest part is keeping a good serrated knife edge sharp. This handles that chore very well. The ceramic and carbide edges do a great job of dressing up just about any blade.