Every good hunter knows that when a knife starts to get dull, it makes working with that knife ten times as difficult. It is important to be able to feel a change in the cutting pattern of your knife so you know when the blade is beginning to dull. With this ability, you will be able to quickly figure out when it is necessary to sharpen your blade. With the right tools, you can do just that, but it takes more than going to the store and picking out the cheapest sharpening device. It takes ingenuity to figure the best product and material to purchase for your particular hunting knife. There are three main types of sharpeners for hunting knives: Arkansas Stone, Ceramic, and Diamond. Let's take a look to see how each of these types can aid you in sharpening your hunting knife.

Arkansas Stone sharpeners are the most common type used among hunters and wilderness types today. These sharpeners are cheap and easy to come by, and they've been proven to work for generations. When purchasing this stone, you will notice it comes in different grades, which describes the roughness of the stone. Using one grade over another will result in a differing sharpness of your blade. While many new-timers are looking to the newer sharpeners, many old school outdoorsmen consider Arkansas Stone sharpeners the best for their hunting knife.

If you are looking for something lightweight and durable, you'll want a ceramic sharpener. These consist of a block of wood with two ceramic rods on one side. These sharpeners will last a lifetime, but they are best suited to finishing a blade off or sharpening a hunting knife that hasn't been burdened with a high degree of dullness. However, many ceramic sharpeners come pocket-sized and are great to carry around on an overnight trip in the wilderness, where your knife won't get terribly dulled but will still need a tune-up every now and then.

The final type of hunting knife sharpener is made of diamond. Actually, there are only chips of diamond inlaid in the sharpener that give it its sharpening power, but it works great all the same. Not only do the diamonds give these sharpeners a high amount of durability, they also offer you speed when sharpening your hunting knife. The diamond sharpens effortlessly with each stroke against the blade. These sharpeners are relatively new on the market, especially compared to those made of Arkansas stone, but they have quickly gained a following that is growing to this day.

So there you have it, three types of sharpeners to choose from for your next trip in the wilderness. Each material has its own special qualities, so it is up to you to decide which you like to work with best. What is most important, though, is actually having a sharpener on you to keep your blade smooth and sharp. This will add to the longevity of your hunting knife and make your life a whole lot easier out in the wilderness.

~Ben Anton, 2007