The Smith’s Pocket Pal knife sharpener, model PP1, is 3.2 inches long and weighs 2 ounces. It lists for $22.99 straight from the maker, though it is commonly found for well under $15. That size is the whole pitch, small enough to vanish in a pocket, a tackle box, or a glove compartment.
This is a field tool, not a bench tool. The PP1 trades edge refinement for portability. Knowing that tradeoff going in is the whole point of this review.
Below is what the carbide, ceramic, and diamond rod do to a blade. It covers where the Smith’s Pocket Pal knife sharpener wins, where it does not, and how it stacks up against the Sharpal 101N and the Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener.
What Actually Matters in a Pocket Sharpener
A pocket sharpener is judged on a different scale than a kitchen or shop sharpener. Weight and size come first, since the whole point is that it rides along without notice. That is the standard we apply across every carry sized sharpener in this class.
Steel compatibility comes next. Carbide slots grab dull edges fast but chew on high alloy steel. The harder the blade, the less a pull through tool like this should be asked to do, and the more a stone or guided rig from the wider world of sharpener designs makes sense.
Versatility matters too. Serrations, gut hooks, and fish hooks all need a rod or groove a flat stone cannot reach. That gap is exactly what the Smith’s Pocket Pal knife sharpener and its rivals are built to fill.
| Model | Type | Best for | Price band | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smith’s PP1 Pocket Pal | Carbide, ceramic, diamond rod | Everyday pocket carry | Under $15 | |
| Sharpal 101N 6-in-1 | Carbide, ceramic, diamond rod | Camping and survival kits | Under $20 | Price |
| Work Sharp Guided Field | Diamond plates, ceramic rods, strop | Hunters who want a real edge | Around $50 | Price |
Smith’s PP1 Pocket Pal
Best Overall
Carbide and ceramic pull through slots | fold out diamond rod | 3.2 inches, 2 ounces | under $15
The PP1 sets its angle for you. Drag the blade through the carbide side to reset a dull edge, then through ceramic to smooth it. Flip out the tapered diamond rod for a serrated blade, a small gut hook, or a fish hook.
Owner reviews repeatedly mention it as a reliable backup for cheap folders and kitchen knives, not a home sharpening solution. Aggregated customer ratings sit around 4.5 out of 5. The most common praise is convenience and value; the most common complaint is that it cannot produce a razor edge.
It is also the smallest thing Smith’s makes. The company’s bench and kitchen models are a different proposition built for a countertop, not a pocket.
Pros
- Genuinely pocket sized at 2 ounces
- Three sharpening options in one tool
- Low price makes it easy to keep several around
Cons
- Struggles on hard modern steels like S30V
- Preset angle cannot be adjusted
- Not a substitute for a stone or guided rig at home
Sharpal 101N 6-in-1
Best for Survival Extras
Tungsten carbide, ceramic, 400 grit diamond rod | fire starter and whistle built in | under $20
The manufacturer lists a preset 20 degree per side angle on the Sharpal 101N. The layout mirrors the PP1: carbide, ceramic, and a grooved diamond rod for serrations, gut hooks, and fish hooks. We cover the rest of the brand’s tools in our Sharpal overview.
The added fire starter and whistle push this toward a bug out bag rather than a kitchen drawer. The recurring complaint online is the same one that follows every pocket sharpener. It hones an edge well, but it does not grind out a new edge on a badly damaged blade.
Pros
- Built in ferro rod and whistle add survival value
- Diamond rod handles serrations and hooks
- Compact at 3.5 inches and about 1.6 ounces
Cons
- Same steel limits as any small carbide tool
- Larger footprint than the plain PP1, though slightly lighter
Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener
Upgrade Pick
220 and 600 grit diamond plates | ceramic rods | leather strop | around $50
This one is not a pocket tool by weight, at 4.6 ounces, but it fits a pack easily. It does something the carbide sharpeners cannot: guided angles at 20 and 25 degrees across real diamond plates, finished on a leather strop.
Hunters and campers who want an edge that shaves, not just cuts paper, tend to reach for this over a carbide slot design. It costs more and takes longer to use.
Pros
- Diamond plates cut faster and cleaner than carbide slots
- Strop stage produces a genuinely sharp edge
- Guided angles work on a wider range of blade steels
Cons
- Heavier and bulkier than a true pocket sharpener
- Costs roughly three times a Pocket Pal
Mistakes People Make With the Smith’s Pocket Pal Knife Sharpener
The biggest mistake is expecting a razor edge from a preset carbide slot. That is not what these tools are built for, and owner reports on hard steel folders confirm it consistently.
The second mistake is skipping the ceramic stage. Carbide alone leaves a rough, toothy edge. Running the ceramic side afterward is what smooths the burr down, and our stroke by stroke PP1 instructions show the order that works.
The third mistake is treating a diamond rod like a full diamond stone. It is meant for serrations and hooks, not for resetting a badly chipped straight edge.
The bottom line: the Smith’s PP1 Pocket Pal earns its spot for what it is. It is a cheap, tiny backup that keeps a folder or kitchen knife usable between real sharpenings. For extra survival gear go Sharpal; for a sharper field edge step up to the Work Sharp.
Frequently Asked Questions
What steel is the Smith’s Pocket Pal knife sharpener best for?
It works best on soft, low cost blade steels like typical kitchen cutlery and budget folders. Owner reports and published reviews both note it struggles to keep up with premium steels like S30V.
Can the Smith’s PP1 Pocket Pal sharpen serrated knives?
Yes. The fold out diamond rod is tapered specifically for serrations, along with small gut hooks and fish hooks.
Will it produce a razor sharp edge?
Generally no. Aggregated customer reviews and owner reports describe the result as usable and able to cut paper cleanly, but not shaving sharp.
How does the Smith’s Pocket Pal knife sharpener compare to the Sharpal 101N?
They use the same basic approach, carbide plus ceramic plus a diamond rod, at a similar size and price. The Sharpal adds a fire starter and whistle, which matters more for a survival kit than for everyday pocket carry.
Is the Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener worth the extra cost?
If a sharper working edge matters more than pocket size, yes. Its diamond plates and strop stage produce a noticeably better edge than a carbide pull through tool, at roughly three times the price. Anyone still torn between the three can run our sharpener matcher for a specific knife and get a direct answer.
How long does the preset angle last?
The angle is fixed by the tool’s housing and does not wear out on its own, though the carbide and ceramic surfaces will dull with heavy use like any abrasive.
Sources
- Smith’s Consumer Products: PP1 Pocket Pal product specifications. https://smithsproducts.com/PP1
- Sharpal Inc: 101N 6-in-1 Knife Sharpener and Survival Tool specifications. https://sharpal.com/products/6-in-1-knife-sharpener-survival-tool
- Work Sharp Tools: Guided Field Sharpener product specifications. https://worksharptools.com/products/guided-field-sharpener