Smiths Consumer Products PP1 Pocket Knife Sharpener

Smiths Consumer Products PP1 PocketKnife Sharpener

This sharpener is a wonderful tool if used properly. There is superb 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.

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.

Zero Tolerance ZT0301 Ranger Green Folder Knife with Speed Safe

Zero Tolerance ZT0301 Ranger Green Folder Knife with Speed Safe

This knife is an absolute tank. Over-engineered and over-built with the best materials. Pure quality. The handle ergonomics are great, and the jimping is perfect. The knife opens VERY quickly and with authority using the flipper. The blade locks up tight as a drum with an audible "thwack". I'm a big fan of the S30V steel, and this blade is no exception. It was literally shaving sharp out of the box. The blade is thick, heavy, and, with the deep belly, has tremendous cutting power. The point is stronger than I expected, penetration won't be a problem at all. I'm confident this knife will outperform most fixed blades of similar size.

This is the perfect folder for hunting, camping, military or law enforcement applications. A "Gentleman's Folder" its not; it's a big knife meant to work hard. Oh, by the way, the tigerstripe blade looks cool as can be. 

The titanium frame lock is stout enough to withstand extreme abuse, and the S30V blade came hair popping sharp out of the box. Many people who I've showed this to instantly think it's a Strider, and I'm happy to say that it's built as tough as a true Strider. This design was a collaboration between Ken Onion, Strider and the ZT team at Kershaw and the quality shows. I highly recommend this fine knife for heavy use or as a great tactical blade for any knife enthusiasts collection. Lastly I feel the ZT0301 so far is the best of the ZT lineup.

 

To start off with, the ergonomics are excellent. The 3d machined G10 scales are contoured and textured to provide a firm grip. With or without gloves (I use the Mechanix brand), I can transition from a forward to reverse (edge in or edge out) grip repeatedly and quickly. There is an adequately jimped thumb ramp and a thumb groove along the spine.

 

However, there is a drawback to the aggressive texturing on the scales. It will wear out the edges of pockets if the knife is carried with the clip. 

The flipper is easy to access and reliable in deployment. However, compared to other assisted knives, the opening is not as quick, given the extra inertia from the ZT0301's substantial blade mass. Having been a manual opening user for a long time, I found the resistance (from the torsion bar) a surprise as I closed the knife. It is still possible to close using only one had, but do be careful - if you slip, the blade can spring back into the open position. 

The thumbstuds double as blade stops, providing an extra measure of blade stability. However, since they're placed very close to the scales, it takes a bit of practice learning how to use them to deploy the blade. They are not unusable, but compared to the flipper, they are less convenient.   

Given the blade's mass, it is also possible to wrist flick the knife open in the forward and reverse positions.

The knife initially arrived configured for tip down carry. The parts of the handle above the pivot have sharp points - when reaching into my pocket to retrieve something else, I found these points scratching my hand. I thus found myself changing to tip up to avoid those instances.

The knife is as heavy as my fullsize Benchmade Rukus (610) despite being almost 2" shorter (overall length) and having a titanium frame. It may be uncomfortable to carry if you're not wearing jeans or work pants. However, the pocketclip does provide strong retention, though the handle does not conceal well - almost 1" of handle will be above the edge of your pocket (do take this into consideration if you are carrying in an area where such knives are discouraged). 

The blade is wide recurved S30V steel and the 0301 and 0302 come with a tiger striped finish. The edge retention is great and the extra belly from the recurve increases the cutting edge. However, a recurve cannot be completely sharpened on flat stones - you will need round or triangular rods.

The pivot must be adjusted by a hex socket wrench (the knife was designed for military use and a hex tool would most likely be conveniently available). I personally don't find this useful, as I am used to using keychain torx bits to adjust all my other knives. 

Without a doubt, the knife is well (heavily) built and a durable design. However, it may be overkill, depending on how you use it. But if you don't mind the weight, it'll make a great addition into your carry rotation.

Gerber 22-41493 EVO Jr. Serrated Edge Knife

With its straight spine and seamless design, the Gerber 22-41493 EVO Jr. Knife with Serrated Edge offers extreme usability in an eye-pleasing design. Besides its aesthetic qualities, the EVO Jr. boasts a high-quality carbon stainless steel blade as well as a thumb stud and finger clip for easy one-handed opening.

This knife is great. It clips perfectly on the inside edge of my jeans pocket, and I use it many times each day for opening boxes, cabling packages, etc. It holds its edge for a very long time in between sharpening, and, more importantly, it keeps its grip and doesn't move, fall off, or open in my pocket. I got my first one at a local store, which no longer carries Gerber knives. When I lost it by leaving it at a job, I searched high and low locally before I finally tried Amazon. Amazon's price was great and I loved the knife so much that I bought 4, just in case I lose one (or more) again.

Victorinox 47520 Fibrox 8-Inch Chef's Knife

This knife, also known as Forschner, is consistently sharp. The Forschner 40520 was rated as "best overall" in Cooks magazine in Fall 2004. Pretty good report card from "the" chefs magazine. It took top honors over several high end ($80 -$100+) Wusthofs and Henckel models. This knife is such a value. Just a few swipes of the sharpening steel and its good as new again. The handles are comfortable and do not get slippery when wet. They are practically the only knives I use. I wash and wipe dry after each use (NEVER put in the dishwasher). I think you'll be as pleased as I if you try this knife.

Gerber 22-01629 LMF II Black Infantry Knife- 4.8 inch blade

Gerber 22-01629 LMF II Black Infantry Knife- 4.8 inch blade

This model of knife was originally designed to be an ASEK (Aircrew Survival Egress Knife) and came with a cord cutter hook. The Infrantry Knife aspect came about after it was given to US troops in Afghanistan and Iraq as a demo item. It is a rugged knife, and has a window punch on its butt and a full tang blade completely insulated by the grip. This aspect came in handy to a certain sniper team in Iraq who cut a power line to a 250 KW Generator in order to dim the lights illuminating their position among around 100 insurgents. The electric arc put an eighth of an inch gash in the knife's blade, but the operator remained unshocked and was able to survive the incident. I am using it currently in Iraq, and I have found that though it isn't the sexiest of edged weapons, it is by far one of the most unyielding. Built in sharpener in sheath is nice, if you know exactly how to use it, otherwise you will nick the blade up a little. Came originally in desert tan/coyote brown, now out in straight black so I will have to by another one for my darker endeavors.