Sharpeners

Sharpeners are devices or implements designed to restore or improve the edge of blades and cutting tools. The process typically removes small amounts of material to form a sharp edge and realigns the edge’s microscopic facets. Sharpening differs from honing, which mostly straightens the edge without substantial material removal.

The range of sharpeners is broad. Knife sharpeners include manual systems that pull the blade across an abrasive surface, stone-based options such as whetstones and oilstones, and powered devices with rotating wheels. Pencil sharpeners come in manual hand-crank or electric varieties and are designed to shave wood to expose a sharp graphite point. Tools and scissors have dedicated sharpeners, including small hand-held devices and larger machines. There are also sharpeners for lawn mower blades, hedge trimmer blades, and chainsaw chains, often using coarser abrasives and more robust mechanisms.

Most sharpeners rely on abrasive surfaces made from materials such as aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, diamond, or ceramic. Stones may be used with lubricants like water or oil, while some modern devices operate dry. The edge angle—how steeply the blade is ground—affects both sharpness and durability; many systems include guides to maintain a specific angle for consistency.

Safety and maintenance are important. Use steady, controlled motions and avoid overheating the metal. Keep the sharpening surfaces flat and clean, replace worn parts or worn stones, and store sharpeners in a dry place to prevent corrosion. Properly sharpened tools cut more easily and safely, extending their useful life.