Work Sharp MK2: What Changed From the Original Knife and Tool Sharpener

People throw around three names as if they are the same tool. The original Work Sharp Knife and Tool Sharpener, the Work Sharp MK2, and the Ken Onion Edition MK2 are not interchangeable. The confusion costs buyers money when they order the wrong one.

The Work Sharp MK2 replaced the original WSKTS directly. The Ken Onion Edition MK2 sits above both as a separate, pricier model.

This page sorts out what actually changed in the Work Sharp MK2. It also covers where the Ken Onion Edition still pulls ahead, and which one fits the sharpening you actually do.

What the Work Sharp MK2 actually changed

The original Work Sharp Knife and Tool Sharpener ran on a single fixed speed motor. The Work Sharp MK2 added a dual speed motor instead. Low speed suits knives, and high speed suits tools like axes and lawnmower blades.

The angle guide changed shape too. The original used separate interchangeable guide pieces for the 20 and 25 degree settings. The Work Sharp MK2 replaced that with one guide and a toggle switch.

You flip between 20 degrees per side and 25 degrees without swapping parts. Work Sharp also added a full length edge guide to the MK2. It supports the blade from tip to heel through the whole stroke.

That is meant to keep the bevel more even than the original allowed. Both models ship with the same six belt set. Two are coarse P80, two are medium P220, and two are fine 6000 grit.

Work Sharp MK2 vs Ken Onion Edition MK2

The Ken Onion Edition MK2 is a different tier of tool, not just a fancier badge on the same body. It swaps the two fixed speeds for a variable speed motor with seven LED controlled settings. It also swaps the 20 or 25 degree toggle for an adjustable range of 15 to 30 degrees.

Work Sharp does not publish exact belt speed figures for either model. Treat any specific RPM number you see elsewhere as unverified.

What is documented is the price gap. The standard MK2 lists at $109.95, and the Ken Onion Edition lists near $199.95.

Owner reports on our full review of the Ken Onion Edition line up with what Work Sharp’s own comparison implies. Buyers who sharpen small pocket knives through full size kitchen knives tend to reach for the Ken Onion’s finer control.

Where owners say the Work Sharp MK2 struggles

The recurring complaint in owner discussions is control on small blades. The edge guide that helps on full size knives can let a compact folder slip off its support partway through the stroke. That leads to an uneven edge.

A second pattern shows up just as often. The flexible belt on any Work Sharp MK2 style sharpener leaves a slightly concave bevel, unlike the flat bevel a fixed guided rod system produces.

That is normal for the design, not a defect. It still surprises first time buyers who expected a perfectly flat edge.

Owners who also run a guided stone system often split the work. They keep the Work Sharp MK2 for axes, chisels, and bigger blades. A rod or stone rig handles smaller pocket and kitchen knives where fine control matters more.

Which one should you actually buy

Buy the current Work Sharp MK2 if you sharpen mostly full size kitchen knives, hunting knives, and the occasional axe or garden tool, and you want the dual speed motor without paying for speed and angle ranges you will not use.

Buy the Ken Onion Edition MK2 if your knife collection spans small folders through large kitchen blades, or you already know you want finer angle control than the fixed 20/25 toggle gives you.

Skip the original WSKTS unless you find one heavily discounted. It is discontinued, and the current Work Sharp MK2 does everything it did with a faster motor swap and an easier angle change.

For a wider view of how these fit against the rest of the lineup, see the complete Work Sharp model breakdown, and for setup help once you pick one, our step by step first sharpening walkthrough covers the belt run and angle checks in order.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Work Sharp MK2 the same as the original WSKTS?

No. The Work Sharp MK2 replaced the original with a dual speed motor and a single toggle angle guide instead of swap in guide pieces. The belt set and general design stayed the same.

What angles does the Work Sharp MK2 sharpen at?

The standard Work Sharp MK2 toggles between 20 degrees per side and 25 degrees per side. If you need angles outside that range, the Ken Onion Edition adjusts from 15 to 30 degrees. You can double check any target angle with our free bevel angle calculator before you commit to a setting.

Can the Work Sharp MK2 sharpen small pocket knives?

It can, but owner reports say small blades are the weak point. The edge guide that steadies larger knives can let a compact folder slip off midway through the stroke.

Is the Ken Onion Edition MK2 worth the extra cost over the standard MK2?

It depends on what you sharpen. The variable speed and wider 15 to 30 degree range earn their price if you work across small and large blades regularly. If you mostly sharpen kitchen knives, the standard MK2 covers that job for less.

What belts come with the Work Sharp MK2?

Both the original and the current MK2 ship with six belts: two coarse P80, two medium P220, and two fine 6000 grit. Replacement and specialty belts are sold separately through our sharpening belt grit guide.

Is the original Work Sharp Knife and Tool Sharpener still available new?

Work Sharp has discontinued it on their own site. Remaining stock at retailers, and secondhand listings, are the main ways to find one new or lightly used.