This is my first knife sharpening system review and it’s been a long time coming. I’ve discussed sharpening knives many times in the past, and seeing the interest, it seems only natural for me to progress to reviewing the actual tools used.
The Smith’s PP1 sharpener is probably the most inexpensive sharpening option besides the reverse of a coffee mug. Its ridiculously low price point was admittedly my main point of interest. Gotta say – I was pretty excited to see what 10 dollars could do!
Smith’s PP1 Pocket Pal Knife Sharpener Review – Amazon / Blade HQ
First things first, I had to find a knife that was dull enough to help me review this kind of knife sharpener properly. Unfortunately, all my knives are (more or less) sharp, so I decided to cheat by purposefully blunting a knife using a coarse DMT stone.
Take my word for it, my RAT 1 was as sharp as a ruler after running the edge over the DMT stone about 20 or so times. Couldn’t bite into paper, let alone cut it.
Ontario RAT 1 Folding Knife – Amazon / Blade HQ
DMT Diamond Whetstone Coarse – Amazon
I chose the Ontario RAT 1 for this review because it has what I consider to be a standard blade steel (AUS-8). AUS-8 is not a particularly exotic steel, but it’s by no means pot metal either!
With that said, back to the sharpener. The Smith’s Pocket Pal has three different sharpening mediums. All three sharpening mediums – tungsten carbide, ceramic, and diamonds – are harder than steel, so you could use this tool with literally any type of steel blade knife.
I’ve tested the sharpener out before with a ZDP-189 steel, and it worked, though it took a bit more time to sharpen than the run of the mill standard blade steel knives take.
To sharpen with the Smith’s PP1 sharpener, all you’ll have to do is drag your knife repeatedly across the two v-shaped grooves: first repeatedly through one, then repeatedly through the other.
First you add an edge using the tungsten carbide side (labelled “carbide”). This works pretty damn fast and feels like it’s literally carving an edge into the steel rather than grinding. In fact, that’s a fairly accurate description of what actually happens. When you feel that the edge has a nice toothy burr then you can move on over to the ceramic side.
I think one of the key advantages to the Smith’s PP1 sharpener is that the angles are hard-set. There is literally no work required with regards to this sharpening method. All you have to do is hold the blade straight, drag back across the groove, and repeat until you’ve got a sharp edge. I can’t think of a simpler system, and I do think that in adverse conditions, like while field dressing a deer in the rain, the Pocket Pal will likely prove invaluable considering this straight forward way to touch up the edge of your knife.
Something to think about.
I found holding it with my (mangled) pointing finger and thumb on my knees to be the easiest way to sharpen the knife in a fashion that would be realistic for “in field” use. The Smith’s PP1 sharpener is basically weightless, so gripping it is a necessity. With that said, it really doesn’t require much force or any specific environment to use, so whether its the camp ground, a table, or your knee, you will be just fine.
Pretty simple right? End result is not awe inspiring, cutting through paper was a little toothy, but definitely feasible for putting on a good working edge. I wouldn’t shave with it but for touching up a knife in the outdoors? Hell yes.
I was honestly surprised that it sharpened so well, but I guess you shouldn’t judge a tool by its price point – or appearance for that matter!
I did expect the Smith’s Pocket Pal to do pretty well at sharpening, especially considering some glowing reviews across the web. That being the case, I was most curious about the single tapered diamond rod on the PP1. It’s intended for sharpening serrations, which, for the sake of full disclosure, I am not the biggest fan of, but I did have my Camillus Les Stroud SK Mountain to try it out on.
Camillus Les Stroud SK Mountain Survival Knife – Amazon / Blade HQ
The diamond coated rod is similar to the finish of a fine DMT stone. It’s not particularly abrasive, but I figure for a touch up it will do fine.
Interestingly enough, since the Camillus has a thick black coating over the serrations, this actually allows you to visually appreciate how the Smith’s PP1 sharpener handles serrations.
That black coating easily disappears and is replaced by a quite sharp serrated edge with the PP1.
The Smith’s Pocket Pal is surprisingly functional. I have absolutely zero experience sharpening serrations prior to using this tool, but this was so easy a toddler could do it! Now I know how I will sharpen the blade on my Leatherman Wave (and M.U.T.)!
The tapering on the rod doesn’t go thin enough to do the teensy tiny serrations on the Camillus Les Stroud SK Mountain, but I figure it’s good enough for most serrations that I have experienced, including the Victorinox and Spyderedge ones.
For good measure, I did the reverse too. Not sure if that’s what your supposed to do seeing as there was no bevel, but it made sense to me! Correct me if I am wrong in the comments!
As you can see, the final result is very pretty and even. I would say that the finish on the edge of the teeth is around 400 grit (just a guesstimate, don’t quote me on that one!). The serrations are definitely usable for their intended purpose!
The sharpened serrations will happily carve paper. Not as smooth a cut as a plain edge would give, but at least it’s a clean separation of the fibers with no tearing.
It’s worth noting that the Smith’s PP1 knife sharpener has (in theory) replaceable sharpening bits. At its price point, however, I’m not sure it’s worth trying to source replacement bits of ceramic or carbide, but the possibility is there for those who’d choose to use it.
I didn’t specify measurements because I didn’t deem it important in light of having so many photographs. But for the sake of consistency, it weighs in at almost nothing and roughly the size of my thumb.
You’re welcome.
Reviewing a 10 dollar pocket sharpener is pretty difficult. It’s hard to ascertain the value and relative merits when a product has so few competitors. I do own the Lanksy BladeMedic as well, but realistically, at 10 bucks, it’s nigh impossible to argue that the Smith’s PP1 knife sharpener is not worth it.
As a basic sharpener, it’s pretty fantastic. As mentioned above, it weighs nothing, and for those who haven’t sharpened a knife before, the Smith’s PP1 Pocket Pal is honestly an incredibly simple system that’s perfect for any beginner. Will I use it again? I’ll be honest, maybe not. I own lots of sharpening tools, including a full fledged belt grinder, many of which can leave a far better edge on my knives. However, for field use, in an emergency, or even as a backup knife sharpener, I do see myself throwing it into my backpack and/or garage – just in case.
It works. It’s cheap. And with a single moving part (the diamond rod) – I don’t think you could break it. An excellent survival/SHTF investment, even if it won’t replace a dedicated system for regular use.
I own a Smith’s, and it travels all over the world with me on a Navy ship. I’ve been using it on my el-cheapo Gerber itty bitty clip on the pocket every day knife which before I started using the Smith’s had gotten to a completely rounded butter knife edge. It took quite some time to get it sharp and usually a lot of pressure just cutting a new edge into it. I think it was about 5 years old at the point and never sharpened (unlike my regular at home pocket knife). After getting a good edge on it I maintain a couple swipes across the ceramic every time I use it and it is hair cutting sharp at all times. I agree that you will lose a lot of steel on the carbide, but with routine use of the ceramic you NEVER need the carbide. I can’t speak for the diamond edge as I have nothing serraded. I will add, your review was pretty dead on from my experience, and very well written. Thanks for taking that time with the images and thorough writing on this 10 dollar tool.
Thanks for the feedback Chris, glad we shared similar experiences! All the best for you, wherever you are deployed.
I would recommend that you use this type of sharpener by holding the knife still and moving the sharpener over the blade (less chance of slipping and cutting yourself).
Good tip although I never felt like I would lose control- one could also place the sharpener in a vise should they be worried about potentially cutting themselves.
Mirroring what others have said – steer clear of carbide pullthrough sharpeners, they truly wreck blades after a few sharpenings. The ceramic is mild enough to fix any blade up from the brink, jump straight to that, IMHO :)
Agreed, but some people (as I mentioned above) just like a one size fits all approach to sharpening. The ceramic is definitely abrasive enough to keep your blade nice and sharp!
You guys correctly stated that the carbide side shaves too much steel off, however:
The Carbide side works *very* well at fixing my machete, a Gerber Gator Mini or whatever it’s called. Just a few swipes, and it’s perfect.
Good to know, thanks for dropping by Patric!
So, what do you think of the Lanksy BladeMedic then? I love the ceramic strip on the back: I use it as a regular sharpening stone to easily get my Boker Gnome in 440C to shaving-sharp. It was the factor which led me to buy the Medic instead of the Pal (which compared to the Medic, costs considerably less where I live). Thanks for the review!
I do not recommend the ‘Lanksy BladeMedic’ as it is the same concept as the ‘Smith’s PP1 Pocket Pal’ just a slightly different design.
As I mentioned previously, these types of small “pull through” sharpeners will quickly ruin your knifes edge by removing (shearing off) way too much steel.
“Cheap” in not the way to go with a field portable sharpener.
The best sharpening system other then a belt machine is the “Wicked Edge” system, it is not an inexpensive “pocket-able” system however.
For an affordable sharpener that you can just keep in a back pack or in your car are the following two I use and recommend:
#1. DMT FWFC Double Sided Diafold Sharpener Fine / Coarse, (carried with me every day) available on Amazon and often a bit less on Ebay.
#2. Work Sharp WSGFS221 Guided Field Sharpener.
available on Amazon and often a bit less on Ebay.
Do not buy or use those cheap inexpensive “pocket/keychain pull through” sharpeners… they will quickly ruin your knifes blade edge/s buy shearing off too much steel.
Stones are definitely the way to go, unfortunately, in my experience a lot of people tend to shy away from tools that require a proper technique.
My neighbour is a ardent hunter from Newfoundland that only uses pullthrough sharpeners as he considers the resulting edge perfectly acceptable and whetstones to be “too much trouble”. Another example would be my Mother-in-Law who only uses serrated kitchen knives regardless of how much I push for a solid plain edge chefs knife.
That’s the reality unfortunately, and you can’t change some people no matter how much you try!
This looks like a great budget knife sharpener for “in the field” use. I’m going to have to pick one up for myself. You can’t really go wrong for that price – thanks for the detailed review!
You’re welcome, Warren!
“You can’t really go wrong for that price”…… a lot of people often assume that, but 99% of the time that won’t hold true.
If you are after “simple to use”, look into the spyderco Sharpmaker, or alternatively easily folding and portable diamond sharpeners made by DMT which is what I use at home and carry with me daily.
A “pull through” inexpensive small system will ruin a good knife.
These types of “pull through” pocket sharpeners will ruin a good knife quickly by shearing off too much steel rather then putting a sharp edge on.
A light weight pocket or pack friendly better alternative is made by DMT.
I use both the DMT ‘Diafold® Double Sided Sharpener’ and for serration’s I use the DMT ‘Diafold® Serrated Sharpener’.
Aye, I can definitely see your point and it obviously won’t replace a dedicated sharpening system (as mentioned in the review) but for in field use I think they have their place! I will add that the current crop of pull through sharpeners feature a ceramic side so for touch ups I don’t foresee any issues.
Thanks for dropping by!
I have been looking to purchase an knife sharpener for a couple days now, and was going back and forth among the different models that chef’s choice have available – the Smith’s PP1 Pocket Pal Multifunction Knife Sharpener used to be my favorite.It has a carbide and a ceramic phase that make for a complete fix for most blades. These are good for touch ups as well.Thank you for all the work you put into this.
Thanks for the compliment & dropping by!
Hmm I have the same smiths pocket sharpener and have used it (well, tried to use it) several times to no avail. I’ve tried it with several knife steels from 8cr13mov to vg-10 and I think the carbide/ceramic bits have actually dulled my blades…I have a sog trident that I got ~2.5 years ago and it won’t even shave wood anymore so I figured I’d run it through my smiths to see what I can do. The trident has the same steel as your rat 1 (aus-8), but the smiths didn’t do anything for the blade at all. I also used the diamond rod on my sog Vulcan (vg-10, recurve) and that sort of worked…
How strange, that doesn’t sound anything like my experiences with it- maybe contact Smith’s and see if you can get a replacement one?
Well I contacted amazon the next day and they gave me a full refund without having to send it back. At this point I’m just going to save up for a spyderco sharpmaker or something similar
Thats great to hear Sam, the Spyderco Sharpmaker has a great reputation as a solid, dependable sharpening system- I am sure you will be happy with it!