Work Sharp Professional Precision Adjust Elite Review

If there’s one thing knife enthusiasts love, it’s refining an already great edge to absolute perfection. And if there’s one thing Work Sharp loves, it’s upgrading their Precision Adjust sharpening system just enough to make us all think "I need this…"

The Work Sharp Precision Adjust Professional (aka the Pro PA) was already a serious step up from the original Precision Adjust, bringing a sturdy metal frame, larger abrasives, and more flexibility with what it can sharpen.

But Work Sharp wasn’t done. Enter the Professional Precision Adjust Elite, a version that refines the system even further with ultra-fine abrasives, an upgraded leather strop, and a premium carrying case. The question is: Is this upgrade for you? Let’s break it down.

What’s New with the Pro PA Elite?  

If you’re familiar with the Precision Adjust Pro, you might be wondering, how is this different? The core sharpening system remains the same, but the Elite version introduces three key upgrades:

Expanded abrasive range:

Three new resin-bonded diamond stones (1200, 2000, and 3000 grit) for finer sharpening and a polished edge. This is the key improvement that makes this the Elite option. 

Diamond resin plates have diamond abrasives throughout their surface, functioning like a water stone. Sharpening will wear down the resin, continually exposing fresh diamonds to keep your sharpening fast and effective. Work Sharp have also included Chromium Oxide abrasive in these stones. That all means although these new stones go all the way up to a very fine 3000 grit, they’ll still sharpen any steel. Rex 121, Maxamet, 15v, not a problem.

New leather strop:

The Pro PA came with a rough leather strop preloaded with a green 0.5 micron chromium oxide honing compound, but the Elite features a smooth leather strop you can apply your own compound to. The kit still includes some chromium oxide stropping compound you can apply to the strop yourself.

New rugged carrying case:

A durable, foam-fitted case to store everything neatly and make the system more portable.

If you’ve ever struggled to get that mirror polish or found yourself wondering where to stash your sharpening gear, these upgrades might just be what you’re looking for.  

Unboxing & First Impressions  

What’s in the box?

The Pro PA Elite arrives with everything neatly packed in a custom hard-shell case, which, if you’re like me, is a welcome addition (no more fishing about for loose abrasives in a drawer!). Open the new rugged carrying case and here’s what you get:

Top Layer

• 10 abrasives: 220, 320, 400, 600, 800 grit diamond plates, a fine ceramic plate, 1200, 2000, 3000 diamond resin stones and a plain, smooth leather strop.
• The abrasive handle with integrated sharpening rod
• Two chassis mounting screws
• Clamp support
• Digital Angle Indicator
• Honing Compound

You’ll also notice an empty slot with the label “Universal Abrasive Handle [Optional Accessory]”. As the name suggests, this is an adapter for using non-Work Sharp Abrasives with the Pro PA. This can be bought separately.

Bottom Layer

• Base
• Sharpening Chassis
• Knife Clamp
• Small Knife Table

This is the main body of the Pro PA system, a familiar sight to anyone that already owns one.

First Impressions

The build quality remains rock solid, it has the same adjustable angle system (15° to 30°), the same V-block clamp, and the same smooth guided sharpening experience we’ve come to expect from the Pro PA. But the real star? Those new resin-bonded diamond stones feel noticeably different, smoother, more refined, and perfect for chasing that polished edge.

Performance Testing – How Well Does It Sharpen?  

Sharpening Experience

The Pro PA Elite is designed to handle everything from tiny pocket knives to full-sized kitchen and outdoor blades. It really excels with pocket knives, especially knives with super-steel blades. 

Breaking Down the Abrasive Progression:

• Coarse diamonds (220-800 grit): Removes damage, sets the edge.
• Fine ceramic: Adds refinement (you can skip this step if progressing from the 800 grit diamond plate to the 1200 diamond resin stone).
• New resin-bonded stones (1200-3000 grit): Smooths out scratch patterns and brings out a fine polish.
• Smooth leather strop: The final touch for that crisp, polished edge.

Key Takeaways from Testing

• The new resin-bonded stones bridge the gap between coarser diamond plates and final stropping, making the edge refinement process smoother and achieving a mirror polish easier.
• The smooth leather strop gives you options, you can use whatever honing compound best fits your process.  
• Sharpening experience is consistent and precise, at the core, this is still the Pro PA we love.  

Would a casual user notice the difference? Maybe not. But if you’re serious about knife edges, the improvement is clear.  

Pros & Cons  

Pros: 

✅ Ultra-fine grit range for mirror-polished edges.  
✅ Smoother sharpening feel with resin-bonded abrasives.  
✅ Premium leather strop enhances final edge refinement.  
✅ Carrying case keeps everything organized and protected.  
✅ Still the best guided sharpening system Work Sharp offers.  

Cons:

❌ Same core functionality as the Pro PA—this is a refinement, not a revolution.  
❌ Pricier upgrade if you don’t need mirror edges.  
❌ Not essential for casual users.  

Is the Pro PA Elite Worth It?  

Here’s the bottom line: If you already own the Pro PA and are happy with your edge results, you probably don’t need the Elite. However, the new resin-bonded stones and carrying case are available separately, so you can upgrade without buying the whole new system. So if you’re the kind of person who wants the absolute best finish, or you’ve struggled to get a perfect polish, this upgrade delivers.

For beginners or casual users, the standard Pro PA is still fantastic. But if you demand ultra-fine refinement, enjoy high-end sharpening, and want a polished edge that rivals traditional whetstones, the Elite is the version to get.  

Final Thoughts  

The Pro PA Elite isn’t here to replace the Pro PA, it’s here to refine it. With finer abrasives, a customizable strop, and a carrying case that keeps everything together, this is the most complete version of the Precision Adjust system yet.  

Will it make your knives sharper than the Pro PA? Yes. Will it make sharpening feel smoother, more precise, and more enjoyable? Also yes. If you love sharpening as much as you love your knives, this is the best version yet.

Interested? You can learn more about the Pro PA Elite here.