Gear guide
Best Sharpening Stones for Pocket Knives: Bench and Pocket Size
Picked from Amazon listings, not hands-on tests. How we pick
A pocket knife has a short blade, often in a harder steel than a kitchen knife, and it usually gets sharpened in two places: at home on a bench stone and in the field on something that fits a pocket. A bench stone about 7 inches long makes it easier to hold an angle; a 3 inch pocket sharpening stone or card is for touch-ups away from home. The abrasive matters as much as the size. Diamond cuts hard steels and is used dry or with water; silicon carbide and aluminum oxide whetstones are used with water; a soft Arkansas stone takes honing oil. Makers' angles for pocket knives mostly fall between 15 and 22 degrees per side, and the stone does not set that: your hand does. Grit numbers below are repeated as each listing prints them, with microns where given, because the scales differ. This guide compares two bench stones and five pocket-size stones by stone type, grit, size and how they are used. Everything comes from the listings; nothing here was tested.
Compare the picks
| Pick | Stone type | Grit | Size | Use | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 DMT W7EFC mini diamond stones, set of 3, 2.75 x 1 in | Diamond, pocket set of 3 | 325 / 600 / 1200 mesh | 2.75 x 1 x 0.25 in each | Dry or with water | - | Amazon |
 MIDO 400/1000 whetstone with base, 7 x 2.25 in | Silicon carbide, bench | 400 / 1000 grit | 7 x 2.25 x 1.125 in | Water, soak 5-10 min | - | Amazon |
 SHARPAL 116N pocket diamond card, 325/600/1200 | Diamond, pocket card | 325 / 600 / 1200 grit | not stated | Dry | - | Amazon |
 Intelitopia 400/1000 3000/8000 set with strop | - | - | - | - | - | Amazon |
 Dan's soft Arkansas pocket stone, 3 x 1 x 1/4 in | Soft Arkansas, pocket | Soft (Medium) grade | 3 x 1 x 1/4 in | Light honing oil | - | Amazon |
 Knafs mini diamond pocket stone 400/600, 3.2 x 1 in | Diamond, pocket stone | 400 / 600 grit | 3.2 x 1 in | No lubricant needed | - | Amazon |
 AccuSharp diamond pocket stone 320/800, 3 in | Diamond, pocket stone | 320 / 800 grit | 3 in long | not stated | - | Amazon |
Facts are taken from each Amazon listing. Prices are checked daily and shown with their date.
If you just want one
- Closest match for the jobDMT W7EFC mini diamond stones, set of 3, 2.75 x 1 inAll three grits carry a micron size: 45, 25 and 9, so the progression is clear.
- Most for the money on paperMIDO 400/1000 whetstone with base, 7 x 2.25 inTwo grits in one block: 400 for returning an edge to shape and 1000 for smoothing it.
- Most complete listingIntelitopia 400/1000 3000/8000 set with stropFour grits on two stones: 400/1000 for dull knives and 3000/8000 for refining and polishing.
The picks in detail
Pick 1 · DMT (Diamond Machining Technology)
DMT W7EFC mini diamond stones, set of 3, 2.75 x 1 in
See price on AmazonThree color-coded pocket diamond stones: coarse (45 micron / 325 mesh), fine (25 micron / 600 mesh) and extra-fine (9 micron / 1200 mesh), each 2.75 x 1 x 0.25 inches. Used dry or with water.
What the listing offers
- All three grits carry a micron size: 45, 25 and 9, so the progression is clear.
- Micronized monocrystalline diamond; the listing says to sharpen dry or with water.
- Each stone is 2.75 x 1 x 0.25 inches and color coded; the listing says they are made in the USA.
Limits to know
- No pouch or case is mentioned for these mini stones in the listing.
- At 2.75 inches long each stroke is short, so these suit touch-ups more than reshaping a long blade.
Pick 2 · MIDO Professional Abrasive
MIDO 400/1000 whetstone with base, 7 x 2.25 in
See price on AmazonA two-sided green silicon carbide bench stone, 400 and 1000 grit, 7 x 2.25 x 1.125 inches, held in a silicone base. Soaked in water for 5 to 10 minutes before use; the title lists pocket and hunting knives.
What the listing offers
- Two grits in one block: 400 for returning an edge to shape and 1000 for smoothing it.
- Stated size of 7 x 2.25 x 1.125 inches, with a non-slip silicone base to hold the stone.
- Used with water, not oil: the listing says to soak it 5 to 10 minutes and add water as needed.
Limits to know
- The listing mentions both a silicone base and an acacia wood base, so what exactly holds the stone is unclear.
- A soaking bench stone for home use: it is not something to carry, and no micron sizes are given.
Pick 3 · SHARPAL
SHARPAL 116N pocket diamond card, 325/600/1200
See price on AmazonA pocket diamond sharpening card with three grits: coarse 325 (45 micron), fine 600 (25 micron) and extra fine 1200 (12 micron). It has a ring grip, is used dry and comes with a storage pouch.
What the listing offers
- Three grits with micron sizes: 325 grit (45 micron), 600 grit (25 micron) and 1200 grit (12 micron).
- Designed for dry sharpening: the listing says no water or oil is needed.
- A ring grip keeps the hand away from the edge, and a storage pouch is included.
Limits to know
- The listing does not state the size of the card or of each grit area.
- The diamond type, monocrystalline or polycrystalline, is not stated in this listing.
Pick 4 · Intelitopia
Intelitopia 400/1000 3000/8000 set with strop
See price on AmazonA bench set of two dual-grit aluminum oxide whetstones, 400/1000 and 3000/8000, with a leather strop, flattening stone, bamboo base, rubber bases and an angle guide named in the title. A home kit that runs from repair to polish.
What the listing offers
- Four grits on two stones: 400/1000 for dull knives and 3000/8000 for refining and polishing.
- The listing names the abrasive: corundum, which it identifies as aluminum oxide.
- The title lists a leather strop, a flattening stone, a bamboo base, 3 non-slip rubber bases and an angle guide.
Limits to know
- The stone dimensions are not stated in the listing.
- The listing does not say whether the stones are soaked or only wetted, and gives no micron sizes.
Pick 5 · DAN'S WHETSTONE COMPANY, INC.
Dan's soft Arkansas pocket stone, 3 x 1 x 1/4 in
See price on AmazonA natural soft Arkansas pocket stone, 3 x 1 x 1/4 inch, in a leather pouch. Sold by grade, Soft (Medium), not by grit number, and the listing says it works best with light mineral honing oil.
What the listing offers
- Soft (Medium) grade novaculite, described as used to quickly establish an initial edge.
- Comes in a genuine leather pouch that protects the stone when it is not in use.
- The listing states the size, 3 x 1 x 1/4 inch, and that color varies and is not a sign of grade.
Limits to know
- An oil stone: the listing recommends honing oil, which is one more thing to carry in the field.
- One grade only, with no grit number: a finer finish needs a hard or black Arkansas stone as well.
Pick 6 · Knafs
Knafs mini diamond pocket stone 400/600, 3.2 x 1 in
See price on AmazonA diamond-plated steel pocket stone, 3.2 x 1 inches and 1.05 oz, with 400 (medium) grit on one side and 600 (fine) on the other. The listing says it needs no lubricant.
What the listing offers
- Diamond-plated steel with two sides: 400 (medium) grit for initial sharpening, 600 (fine) for honing.
- Size and weight are both stated: 3.2 x 1 inches and 1.05 oz.
- The listing says no messy lubricants are needed, which suits sharpening while traveling.
Limits to know
- The two grits are close together: there is no coarse side for a chipped edge and nothing finer than 600.
- No pouch or sleeve is mentioned, and no micron sizes are given.
Pick 7 · ACCUSHARP
AccuSharp diamond pocket stone 320/800, 3 in
See price on AmazonA 3 inch dual-sided diamond pocket stone: a 320 grit coarse side and an 800 grit fine side, with a groove for fish hooks. It comes in a carrying pouch with a belt loop.
What the listing offers
- Dual-sided diamond: 320 grit coarse surface for aggressive sharpening, 800 grit fine surface for honing.
- Has a groove for sharpening a variety of hooks and darts.
- Comes with a carrying pouch that has a built-in belt loop.
Limits to know
- Only the 3 inch length is given: width and thickness are not stated.
- No micron sizes, and the listing does not say whether to use it dry or with water.
Read before you buy
- Whetstone vs Diamond Stone for Knife SharpeningWhetstone vs diamond stone compared on speed, soaking, flattening, finish and wear, with a first-stone pick by case. Starts at 1000 grit.
- Best Sharpening Angle for a Pocket KnifePocket knives sharpen at 15 to 22 degrees per side, hunting knives at 20 to 25. Ranges by use, plus what Victorinox, Benchmade and Kershaw state.
More gear for the choose your stones stage
Stone and Strop chooses every product independently from what its Amazon listing states. We may earn a commission from the links above. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.