Whether you’re gathering your gear for a long trek, already out on the trail, or don’t feel like purchasing a sharpening kit, we’ve all wondered, ‘how can I keep my knife sharp on the go?’. Carrying a pocket knife, a survival tool like a Swiss Army Knife or your everyday-carry blade will make your life much easier out in the wild. This can make all the difference in a survival situation. But, with a dull blade, you might be doing more harm than good. While there are many knife sharpening hacks and knife sharpening tools out there, we’ve compiled the 5 best ways to sharpen a knife without a sharpener to make sure that you’re always ready for any situation!
Let’s start with the Basics- How to Sharpen a Knife:
Before we dive into the everyday items you can use to sharpen a knife, we wanted to touch on the proper way to sharpen a pocket knife whether you’re using a whetstone or your car’s window (yes, believe it or not, this will work- more on that later). This process can be broken down into 3 easy steps:
- Holding the blade at a 10-20 degree angle, apply firm pressure and draw the cutting edge of the blade across the sharpening surface in one smooth stroke.
- Repeat this about 5 times depending on the level of sharpness desired, and then flip the knife over to do the same thing on the other edge of the blade. It is important to make sure both sides are even.
- Once you have reached your desired level of sharpness, it’s time to clean the blade with strapping. A standard leather belt will do, or even better, the nylon straps on your backpack. Run the blade across the strap in smooth light passes to remove any burrs and provide a smooth, clean and sharp edge.
The Best Ways to Sharpen a Knife Without a Sharpener:
Now that you know the basic technique required to sharpen a knife, you can use this method on these 5 everyday items to ensure that you have a sharp, sturdy blade wherever you go:
1. Another Knife:
When out in the woods with nothing but the pack on your back, borrowing a buddy’s knife can ensure that you both have a sharp blade. Sharpening a knife with another knife will work best when using a knife that is made of a harder metal than the one you need to sharpen. Run the blade of your knife against the spine of the other knife, following the steps outlined above.
2. Nail file/Emery Board:
Not only is it a good idea to carry a file in your first aid kit, but it can also help you sharpen your knife in a pinch. Sharpening a knife with a file is like sharpening a knife with sandstone, a traditional tool used to sharpen knives at home, and will give great results.
3. Your Car Window:
This may seem far fetched, but this method is perfect for sharpening a pocket knife before hitting the trail. After parking at the trailhead, roll your car window down most of the way and use the uncoated edge to sharpen your knife on the glass. This method might need more passes to produce a sharper blade but is the perfect way to sharpen your pocket knife before heading out for the day.
4. A smooth river stone:
This method is great because it’s exactly how you sharpen a knife with a whetstone, without the need to buy one at the store. Head to the nearest water source and find yourself a natural sharpening tool. The ideal stone is one that has a nice round shape and smooth texture to ensure that your blade’s edge is smooth and even. You can even hold on to the stone to carry this DIY knife sharpener with you at all times.
5. Coffee Cup:
Last but not least, using a ceramic coffee mug is one of the easiest ways to sharpen a knife at home. Flip the cup upside down and use the unglazed edge to sharpen your blade. This method is the perfect way to sharpen a knife using household items. Include it in your morning routine when prepping for the day’s adventure, whether you’re in the cabin, at a hotel or even if you’re van camping, chug that last cup of coffee, turn the mug over and get sharpening!
Having the right tools while out exploring is essential and can make all the difference in a pinch. Now that you know the proper way to sharpen a knife and how to sharpen a knife without a sharpener, go try some of these simple knife sharpening hacks out to see which one you like the best!
