Keeping your knives sharp is essential for a wide range of tasks, whether you're preparing meals in the kitchen, working on projects around the house, or out in the backwoods. Sharp tools are safer and more effective but maintaining that edge can seem intimidating if you’re just getting started.

This guide will walk you through a variety of sharpening solutions available at different price points. From affordable entry-level sharpeners to premium sharpening systems, we'll help you understand what to expect and highlight options that offer all-in-one solutions for a range of knives and tools. By the end, you'll have a clearer idea of which sharpening system is the right fit for your needs and budget.

Jump to Section:

• Under $50: Affordable Knife Sharpening Kits for Beginners
• $50 - $100: Best Mid-Range Knife Sharpening Kits
• $100 - $200: Comprehensive Knife Sharpening Kits
• $200+ Premium Knife Sharpening Kits for Serious Users

Sub $50: Affordable Knife Sharpening Kits for Beginners

If you're just getting started with sharpening, there are plenty of affordable options that can help you maintain a sharp edge on your knives and tools. These low-cost knife sharpening systems provide solid results without a significant investment and often include multiple features to make sharpening easier and more efficient.

Lansky Deluxe Sharpening System 

The Lansky Deluxe Sharpening System is designed to sharpen a wide range of knives, from sporting blades to household tools.

What sets it apart is its patented knife clamp, which allows you to select from four preset angles (17°, 20°, 25°, and 30°), ensuring consistent, professional-level results. The system includes five different hones ranging from extra coarse to ultra-fine, as well as guide rods and honing oil. It all comes neatly packed in a storage case, making it easy to keep organized or take with you.

For those who want even more versatility, Lansky offers optional accessories like the Pedestal Mount or Super C Clamp.

Work Sharp Benchstone 

The Work Sharp Benchstone offers a versatile sharpening experience thanks to its Tri-Brasive system, which features three different surfaces: a 320-grit diamond plate for repairing edges, a 600-grit diamond plate for restoring dull edges, and a fine ceramic stone for a smooth, sharp finish.

This setup, combined with the Pivot Response base, helps follow the natural curve of the blade, giving you a consistent edge along the entire length of the knife.

The system also comes with interchangeable 20° and 25° angle guides to help users maintain the correct sharpening angle, making it suitable for pocket, outdoor, and kitchen knives alike.

Naniwa Basic Multistone Water Stone 

For those interested in trying water stones, the Naniwa Basic Multistone Water Stone offers great value by combining two grits in a single stone. This combination allows you to efficiently sharpen and polish your blades without needing multiple stones.

Naniwa’s reputation for quality ensures long-lasting performance, making this budget-friendly water stone an excellent introduction to sharpening with water stones.

The 220/1000 grit version is particularly well-suited for beginners, offering a coarse 220-grit side for quickly repairing blunt or damaged edges and a fine 1000-grit side for creating a sharp working edge.

While water stones are a versatile option for sharpening a wide variety of blades, they do require regular maintenance. Over time, you'll need to consider adding a flattening stone or lapping plate to keep your water stone level and performing at its best.

Shop all Sharpening Kits under $50

$50 - $100: Best Mid-Range Knife Sharpening Kits

If you're looking to invest a bit more into sharpening your blades, the $50-$100 range offers more advanced tools and systems designed to provide precise results with a bit more versatility. These products are ideal for users who want to take sharpening to the next level while maintaining a reasonable budget.

Work Sharp Precision Adjust 

The Work Sharp Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener is a popular choice in this price range for its customizable sharpening angles and thoughtful design.

Unlike systems with preset angle holes, the Precision Adjust allows you to set any angle between 15° and 30° using a simple knob, giving you more control over your sharpening process. The secure knife clamp with rubber padding ensures that your blade won’t get scratched while being held firmly in place. With its Tri-Brasive™ sharpening rod—featuring a 320-grit coarse diamond, 600-grit medium diamond, and fine ceramic—you can repair, refine, and finish your edges with ease.

The Precision Adjust can also be upgraded with additional grits and a carrying case with the Upgrade Kit. For those looking to get the full range of grits and accessories at once, the Work Sharp Precision Adjust Elite includes these upgrades at a lower price compared to buying them separately.

DMT Diafold Magna-Guide Kit 

For those who value portability and flexibility, the DMT Diafold Magna-Guide Kit offers a versatile sharpening experience in a compact package.

This kit includes two Double-Sided Diafold sharpeners, each with four grit levels (from coarse to extra-extra fine), covering all your sharpening needs. The Aligner™ Blade Guide provides 7-angle adjustability, ensuring a consistent, professional edge every time, whether you're sharpening kitchen knives, pocket knives, or tools.

The foldable handles protect the sharpeners' diamond abrasive surface when not in use, making this a great option for users who want portability without sacrificing precision. Best of all, DMT's diamond surface sharpens faster than conventional stones and can be used dry or with water.

Naniwa Lobster Water Stone 3 Stone Set 

For those interested in traditional water stones, the Naniwa Lobster Water Stone 3 Stone Set is an excellent budget-friendly option.

This set includes three full-sized stones: 220 grit for repairing damaged edges, 1000 grit for sharpening, and 3000 grit for finishing your edges. These stones sharpen quickly when soaked in water, making them an efficient choice for a variety of knives.

While the stones provide great sharpening results, it's important to remember that water stones require maintenance. Over time, the stones will need flattening to maintain a level surface, so you’ll eventually need to invest in a flattening stone or lapping plate to keep your sharpening setup performing at its best.

Shop all Sharpening Kits $50-$100

$100 - $200: Comprehensive Knife Sharpening Kits

In the $100-$200 price range, you'll find sharpening systems that provide more comprehensive solutions, combining precision, speed, and versatility. These products are perfect for users who are sharpening more frequently and need systems that offer a wider range of capabilities to handle various knives and tools.

The Ultimate Oil Stone Kit 

The Ultimate Oil Stone Kit is a complete solution for those who want precision sharpening with the durability of oil stones.

This kit includes an 8" x 2" combination oil stone with coarse and fine grits, perfect for establishing and refining edges. The set also features a Soft/Hard Arkansas stone to take your blade from intermediate sharpness to a razor-sharp finish. For the final touch, the kit includes a leather strop with chromium oxide honing compound to polish your edge to a mirror finish. The kit also comes with Norton honing oil, ensuring a smooth sharpening experience from start to finish.

Whether you’re restoring a dull edge or maintaining sharpness, this kit has all the tools needed for professional results at home.

Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition Mk. 2 

For those looking for precision and speed, the Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition Knife & Tool Sharpener Mk.2 offers a premium sharpening experience.

Equipped with flexible abrasive belts and an adjustable angle guide (15°-30° per side), this system provides professional-level results with ease. The electronic speed control and multiple belt options allow you to sharpen a wide variety of tools, from kitchen knives and pocket knives to scissors and garden tools.

The Ken Onion Mk.2 features improved guides for smaller knives, enhanced power, and better belt tracking for consistent, fast results. Whether you’re sharpening for precision or power, this sharpener delivers everything you need in one system.

Norton Water Stone Kit 

The Norton Water Stone Kit is a complete sharpening solution for users who prefer the speed and effectiveness of water stones.

The kit includes a 220/1000 grit combination stone for coarse sharpening and refining, as well as a 4000/8000 grit combination stone for creating an incredibly fine edge and polishing. The included flattening stone ensures that your water stones remain level over time, an essential step for maintaining consistent results. The large size of the stones (8" x 3") makes them versatile for sharpening a wide variety of knives and tools.

This comprehensive kit is perfect for those who want the control and performance of traditional water stones while keeping their sharpening setup fully maintained.

DMT DuoSharp Plus Diamond Kit 

For users who need an all-purpose sharpening system that handles both knives and tools, the DMT DuoSharp Plus Diamond Kit offers excellent versatility.

This kit includes two double-sided 8" x 2-5/8" DMT DuoSharp Plus diamond stones, with grits ranging from extra-coarse (220 mesh) for fast edge restoration to extra-fine (1200 mesh) for polishing. The included stone holder makes switching between grits simple and secure, while the non-skid mat provides stability during sharpening. The continuous diamond surface on the ends of the stones is ideal for sharpening pointed tools that may catch on regular interrupted diamond surfaces.

With its combination of speed, precision, and ease of use, this kit is perfect for woodworking tools, kitchen knives, and outdoor blades.

Shop all Sharpening Systems $100-$200

$200+: Professional Knife Sharpening Kits for Serious Users

For those who demand the best in sharpening performance, the $200+ range provides advanced systems that offer precision, durability, and versatility. These setups are ideal for serious knife and tool owners who want long-lasting sharpeners to keep their edges razor sharp.

Double-Sided 8" XL Sharpening Supplies Water Stone Plus Kit 

The comprehensive Double-Sided Water Stone Plus Kit from Sharpening Supplies combines four grits (220/1000, 3000/8000) across two double-sided water stones, making it an excellent choice for sharpening a wide range of tools and knives. The stones are known for their fast-cutting action and ability to maintain flatness over time.

The kit also includes a large 12" double-sided leather strop with both smooth and suede surfaces, a green honing compound for polishing, and a 10" x 4" Double-Time Flattening Stone to maintain your stones' surface.

Made in the USA, this kit delivers everything needed for sharpening, honing, and maintaining your blades to a professional standard.

Shapton GlassStone Seven Knife Sharpening Kit 

The Shapton GlassStone Seven Knife Sharpening Kit is an all-in-one solution, offering the superior quality that Shapton is known for.

The kit includes three glass stones with unique grits: 600, 2500, and an incredibly fine 30,000+ grit. These stones are splash-and-go, meaning you can start sharpening immediately without soaking. The kit also features a glass-based stone holder, a diamond lapping plate to flatten the stones, and even a pencil to mark the stones before flattening.

This Japanese-made kit is perfect for users who want exceptional control over their sharpening process, providing a mirror finish to knives with the finest grit available.

Tormek T-1 Kitchen Knife Sharpener 

The Tormek T-1 Kitchen Knife Sharpener is designed to give home chefs the ability to produce professional-quality edges with ease.

Featuring an adjustable angle guide (8° to 22°), this sharpener accommodates a wide range of kitchen knives. The T-1 uses a conical diamond sharpening wheel (600 grit) to quickly and effectively sharpen blades, followed by a composite honing wheel to polish and remove burrs, leaving your knives sharp and durable.

Built with sturdy materials and backed by an 8-year warranty, this Swedish-made sharpener is a high-quality, versatile solution for anyone looking to maintain their kitchen knives.

8" DMT Diamond Kitchen Kit 

The 8" DMT Diamond Kitchen Kit is a premium setup designed to sharpen every knife in your kitchen. The kit includes two double-sided DMT DuoSharp Plus diamond stones (extra coarse, coarse, fine, and extra fine grits), a 12" extra-fine diamond sharpening steel, and a serrated knife sharpener.

The diamond stones are known for their durability, fast sharpening, and ease of maintenance, while the sharpening steel is ideal for keeping knives sharp between full sharpening sessions. The serrated knife sharpener helps maintain the performance of bread knives, steak knives, and other serrated blades.

This complete kit provides a top-tier solution for maintaining kitchen knives with minimal hassle, thanks to DMT's flat and long-lasting diamond stones.

Shop all Sharpening Systems over $200

No matter what your sharpening needs or budget, there’s a solution out there to help you keep your knives and tools in top condition. From affordable entry-level systems to premium, professional-grade kits, each option offers unique features designed to make sharpening easier and more efficient. By understanding what each price point provides, you can make an informed decision that fits your needs and ensures your blades stay sharp for years to come. If you need help finding the perfect sharpening solution for your personal needs, our Sharpening Specialists are here to help.