# Best Sharpening Stones for Pocket Knives: Bench and Pocket Size

Source: https://stoneandstrop.com/best/best-sharpening-stone-for-pocket-knives
Publisher: Stone and Strop. Picks are chosen from what each Amazon listing states, not from hands-on tests. Method: https://stoneandstrop.com/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.

## Picks

### 1. Diamond Machining Technology (DMT) W7EFC Whetstone Mini Diamond Stone - Coarse / Fine / Extra-Fine - Set of 3

Stone type: Diamond, pocket set of 3; Grit: 325 / 600 / 1200 mesh; Size: 2.75 x 1 x 0.25 in each; Use: Dry or with water

Three 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.

### 2. MIDO PROFESSIONAL ABRASIVE Knife Sharpening Stone 400/1000 Whetstone Sharpening Stone with Non-Slip Rubber Base for Kitchen, Hunting, and Pocket Knives or Blades

Stone type: Silicon carbide, bench; Grit: 400 / 1000 grit; Size: 7 x 2.25 x 1.125 in; Use: Water, soak 5-10 min

A 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.

### 3. SHARPAL 116N Pocket Diamond Sharpening Card

Stone type: Diamond, pocket card; Grit: 325 / 600 / 1200 grit; Size: not stated; Use: Dry

A 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.

### 4. Intelitopia Complete Knife Sharpening Stone Set - Dual Grit Whetstone 400/1000 3000/8000 Knife Sharpener with Leather Strop, Flattening Stone, Bamboo Base, 3 Non-slip Rubber Bases & Angle Guide

Grits: 400/1000, 3000/8000; Soak or splash: not stated; Flattening stone: Yes, coarse; Other extras: Strop, angle guide, bases

A 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.

### 5. Dan's Genuine Arkansas Novaculite Soft (Medium) Pocket Knife Sharpening Stone Whetstone 3" x 1" x 1/4" in Leather Pouch MAP-13A-L

Stone type: Soft Arkansas, pocket; Grit: Soft (Medium) grade; Size: 3 x 1 x 1/4 in; Use: Light honing oil

A 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.

### 6. Knafs - Mini Pocket Knife Sharpener - Diamond Stone, Two-Sided Grit - 600 (Fine) and 400 (Medium)

Stone type: Diamond, pocket stone; Grit: 400 / 600 grit; Size: 3.2 x 1 in; Use: No lubricant needed

A 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.

### 7. AccuSharp Pocket Stone Sharpener with Pouch, 3 Inch Dual-Sided Sharpening Stone for Knives, Fish Hooks, Camping, Hunting Knives, Restores, Repairs & Hones Blades, Diamond

Stone type: Diamond, pocket stone; Grit: 320 / 800 grit; Size: 3 in long; Use: not stated

A 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.

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