Milwaukee came out with a new compact knife sharpener, model 48-22-1590.
It’s a simple tool accessory with a very user-friendly-seeming design.
There are two v-shaped pull-through sharpening slots, one with coarse carbide blades, and the other with fine ceramic blades, and also a fixed diamond rod for specialty blade sharpening.
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A large finger loop helps provide for a secure grip, and there’s also a lanyard loop for tethering.
Milwaukee also built the sharpener with a magnet for an additional and convenient storage option.
The sharpener can be carried in a pocket, or attached to gear via a lanyard or tether.
Milwaukee says that the sharpener is covered by a limited lifetime warranty.
The sharpener measures 3.625″ long x 1.5″ wide x 0.5″ thick, and weighs around 1 oz.
Price: $12.99
ETA: August 2023
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Discussion
It’s for products like this that I wish I had a window into the design process and decisions.
A compact knife sharpener? Milwaukee Tool?
I wouldn’t have guessed that something like this would be on their roadmap, but at the same time the sharpener looks like a compelling buy.
There are plenty of pocket sharpeners out there, but this one’s different.
None of the other popular models I’m familiar with have finger loops. Or a magnetic for pointing purposes. Some have lanyard holes, but they’re itty bitty.
It’s almost as if someone on Milwaukee’s product team is a backpacker and wanted some useful on-the-go features, and then someone else who’s avid in the workshop, yard, or garden expressed interest in added storage options.
Shocked
I recently purchased a Work Sharp “Pivot Pro” sharpener. The concept is the same as the Milwaukee (two-step sharpen/hone). Instead of the Milwaukee’s fixed diamond rod the Work Sharp includes a fold-out sharpening rod for serrated blades. However, the Work Sharp doesn’t have a magnet (nice touch). The Work Sharp has a recess to grip it between your finger and thumb, but I kind of like Milwaukee’s finger grip idea.
Jared
I can’t imagine sharpening any of my knives with a pull-through sharpener, but I admit they might have a place. I imagine if you’re abusing a cheap knife on the jobsite and just want to keep a working edge, this might do the trick.
I would much rather use the Worksharp pocket sharpener (one side diamond, the other ceramic), or just the foldout keychain sharpeners from DMT if I wanted to stay ultralight.
If money is no object, then the Benchmade EDC edge maintenance tool is super trick.
What I actually use 90% of the time is just a strop I keep in my truck.
Wayne R.
This must be for the people who want sharp but won’t use replaceable razor knives.
I don’t want carbide “sharpeners” anywhere near my stuff, thanks. Sharp but scraggly makes no sense to me.
A simple honing steel would a lot more useful, I think.
Stuart
It’s for something like Milwaukee’s fixed blade knife, which retails for $13 at Home Depot right now.
It’s not worth whipping out a wetstone or precision sharpening jig for something like that.
fred
I’m not sure why so many folks seem to be intimidated by or refuse to learn how to sharpen edge tools. But there it is – so that’s why these sorts of “good enough” sharpeners have an appeal. You probably don’t need a mirror-like edge on your utility knife anyway. I used to see some of my carpenter’s sharpening knives and chisels with sandpaper and/or foam sanding blocks.
When we’d present a Lie-Nielsen block plane to a new lead-carpenter – I’d offer to give them a demo of plane-iron back flattening, honing and polishing and creating a cambered edge appropriate for some tasks. We invariable found that Lie-Nielsen planes were good out of the box but could do better with some tweaking. Once completed, their being able to produce a gossamer thin shaving leaving no score marks had some cache.
Koko The Talking Ape
I enjoy sharpening my knives on stones. But I think this sharpener is meant for when nicer methods aren’t available, and for that, I think it could be useful.
Bonnie
It’s the same price as a DMT keychain diamond plate. Seems that’s be just as fast for quickly fixing a knicked blade.
Koko The Talking Ape
Yes, but the DMT is just a flat plate. It doesn’t have any way to keep the edge symmetrical, or honed to a consistent angle. The Milwaukee has both. That’s what makes it easier to use, it looks likel. You don’t have to try to keep the right angle consistently, stroke after stroke. You just draw the blade through the V, ether coarse or fine grind.
So I would rate this Milwaukee better than the DMT or Bench Made options for quick jobsite sharpening.
AlexK
I enjoy sharpening my chisels and plane blades on stones and getting a mirror finish. Getting better at freehand sharpening the more I do it. With knives, I’ve been using a harbor freight four sided diamond box. It’s okay.
At work, I use my Milwaukee folder to mostly cut cardboard and rope. It’s not as nice a steel as my benchmade, but it was $20 and is bright red, so not easily lost and cheap enough so that if it pops out of my pocket while jumping up and down trying to compress a container of flattened boxes it won’t break the bank. All this is to say that, for the price, I’m going to buy this. If it can stay on my belt clip and get the blade a little sharper during work, it’s worth it.
MM
The sharpening thing confuses me too. Many years ago when I had my first job at a mom-n-pop Ace hardware we had an Accusharp sharpener attached to the sales counter with a 5 foot rope so customers could use it. It was the same general idea as this, except instead of having two stones it had two carbide scrapers. It was funny to watch some of our regular customers–highly skilled trades–take out their pocketknife and go over it with the AccuSharp, often times bearing down so hard you could see shavings being scraped off the blade steel. It seemed strange to me that some will work so very hard (and spend so much $$$) to avoid what is fundamentally a simple task.
And as for wood planes, I have come across contests in Japan where the goal is to make the thinnest possible continuous shaving, it is very impressive!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs9X-XzFGHI
Jared
That looks like a pretty fun event.
Mark
TBH this seems like kind of a “knife snob” thing. I think theres a big market of people who have to actually use a kinfe on a daily basis, and don’t care that they techincally aren’t sharpening the $20 knife they use to cut of cardboard or something the right way.
Replaceable razorblade knives can be good for this but they don’t have the depth of cut an actual knife has.
Can’t imagine my day job is like cutting rope or something, and then I sit down at my desk after the work day and pull out whetstone and strops just so I can say it cuts my arm hair really nice.
MM
I totally agree that many “knife snobs” take things too far: it’s crazy how much money one can spend on high-end stones or sharpening machines. So regardless if one’s preference is for old school stones or modern gizmos it’s easy for a knife snob to spend themselves into a deep hole. But that said, a stone doesn’t have to be expensive to be effective and it doesn’t take much effort to get a much better edge than many sharpening tools provide. I feel that many sharpening tools are a false economy because they are simultaneously more expensive and less effective than alternatives. Though honestly this isn’t as bad as many: while I don’t think this kind of sharpener gives a very good edge this one seems fairly well thought out and it’s not expensive.
As far as work knives go I love the Olfa snap-blade knives, unlike a standard utility knife you can extend the blade quite far when necessary; I have several of both the 25mm and the small art-knife size floating around.
Jared
Those are all fair points. I have a fair amount of knife-sharpening gear… and also not all that much when compared to the exotic stuff the internet suggests I need.
I admitted in my first reply that a pull through sharpener might have a place. A cheap knife that sees a lot of use is precisely what I had in mind – plus it’s a tool that requires little skill.
However, if I needed a FAST knife-sharpening method, I’d use my Worksharp combo sharpener. It’s the cheapest and slowest model, but it still does a very good job even with the factory 400 grit belts (I have aftermarket belts from 240-2000).
Alternately, if you don’t need pocketability, I think a coarse 8″ diamond stone would also be better. Easy enough to keep in a tool bag and then handy for sharpening other tools too.
Coarse diamond stones work fast and, if you apex the edge properly, still produce an edge that cuts very well. Nevertheless, I can’t claim that it’s just as easy to use as a pull-through. It takes a little practice.
Munklepunk
Sometimes I dull my knife where I don’t have access to my 27 different stones, diamond hones, leather strop and polishing compound while am in a manlift or under a house, but what I do have is a finger sized sharpener that works.
Bill
I’ve been in blade/knife industry for now well over 60+ years and have been working with all knives since I was a kid. No legitimate professional in all my years of work would ever use this type of sharpener period. This isn’t being a “knife snob” rather this type of sharpener RUINS the edge retention and messes up the angle.
This might upset some folks; yet again I’ve been doing this for well over six decades and done work for some the largest names in the industry. Including giant multi billon dollar corporations and some extremely high end clients. Believe me when I write this; no serious individual would even consider this as an option especially when tried and true methods that have been used for decades or even centuries still work to this day.
Stuart
I agree.
However, a $15 knife from the home center is not going to have great steel or consistent edge angle. Can you sharpen it with more premium techniques and accessories? Yes. Is it worth the added expense or trouble?
Munklepunk
No professional who drives should ever buy a car with an auto transmission, but it’s not a snob thing.
Not everyone has the same circumstances as you, nor do they care, it’s a knife, not a way of life. I absolutely don’t carry good quality knives at work, spending another $80+ for a knife because I have butterfingers is not smart. Buying a 10 pack of flip open knives for $20 that work, who cares how I sharpen them, and why should anyone else because if they last 4 months they will get tossed into the recycle bin.
Franco
This is the bottom line, and I agree
Phranq
I was surprised that their knives have gotten so popular. This goes with that product line. I have their insulation knife and might pick this up to go with that. I keep a worksharp pocket sharpener in the truck for my camping and general abuse knives. Hunting knives get a more serious sharping.
Joatman
These types of pull through sharpeners remove too much material to use on a good blade. But Milwaukee knives aren’t exactly top of the line. I’m curious if they intended it to be used on their axes, too.
Koko The Talking Ape
This guy looks easy to use, easier than the Work Sharp because the angles are automatic. I guess it’s meant for sharpening in the “field,” when you don’t have your bench stones, sandpaper, etc. I like the finger hole, which would serve to keep your off hand out of the way, more than the Work Sharp does. It’s also small and light.
For some people, I can see this being useful.
fred
The closet (looking) one that I know of is the Lansky – but no finger hole:
https://www.amazon.com/Lansky-D-Sharp-Diamond-Sharpener-DSHARP/dp/B082VLPZ21
There are others aimed at kitchen use that have hand grips – but they’re not exactly pocket tools:
https://www.amazon.com/J-Henckels-International-Handheld-Sharpener/dp/B07GJXT272
Franco
The Henckels surprises me. They offer very good to top quality knives; you would think that they would frown on this kind of sharper, which is not good for the blade. I suppose that getting a piece of the market, with a $20.00 sharpener, is more important than integrity.
fred
Just some item they have made in China to fill out their line. I’m not sure about the quality of all their knives. I’d have low expectations for their 15-pc set that sells for under $$91.78 as an Amazon Prime deal.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083Y587M4/
Franco
Henckels does not make the best knives, but they definitely have a premium line which is better than most of the general consumer sets.
The Prime Deal knives you mention…well, an analogy with appliances (but can be spread across all retail). If you remeber when Frigidaire made fridges, not stoves, washing machines or other appliances, just Fridges. Kitchen Aid made dishwashers (only), and Maytag made only washer/ dryers.
I don’t recall when exactly, but in the 80’s or 90’s, they all decided to take a piece of the other guys pie and started making a full line of appliances…pretty much all the brands.
In the world of knives, Henckels made premium knife sets, no entry level stuff. Then, like just about every company out there, they also wanted a piece of the pie they never cared to taste before.
That’s why today we so often have MFR’s that venture out of their sweet spot and take a shot at other products not part of their regular diet. Which is where, we the consumer should always take a step back. Just because they have a great name and reputation in one area, does not mean everything you make will be gold.
A bit off topic but I remember when bottom freezer fridges became the “in” thing and all the MFR’s quickly made their own models. Whirlpool, a leader in the fridge industry, had issue with the bottom freezer, having many failures because…something to do with the orientation or placement of the compressor, coils and electronics on a bottom freezer needs to be done differently. After marginal success rate, they had another OEM make their bottom freezer/fridge products because they couldn’t fix the problems themselves. If I recall what this industry person that told me this story, I think Amana was the OEM that made the Whirlpools as Amana had been making a bottom freezer/fridge for 10-20 years before it became popular and had the expertise.
I guess that is plenty of rambling for 1 night.
John
I have a few of those types of pull throughs that I bought years ago at Lowes with the Smith’s name on it. They’re good for keeping in your bag or glove box so if you happen to need a little edge upkeep, it’ll put a usable edge on your knife if you dull it while working. It’s better than trying to keep working with a dull knife. I’ve only eveer had to use the course part a handful of times over the years. Usually, it’s just a couple of light strops through the ceramic “V” and it straightens out the edge to usable form again.
fred
There is a Smith’s that sells for under $4:
https://www.amazon.com/Smiths-CCKS-2-Step-Knife-Sharpener/dp/B00032S02K
or this one that they advertise for hunting knives:
https://www.amazon.com/Smiths-PP1-Pocket-Multifunction-Sharpener/dp/B000O8OTNC
Jared
There’s the Worksharp “Pivot” sharpener too, for about the same money. I’m not sure what retail is, but I see them in Canada at Cabelas for around $5 all the time.
I think I might actually choose that over this Milwaukee because instead of a diamond rod, the Worksharp has flat diamond section. I wouldn’t use the carbide pull-through at all, but I could sharpen a knife on the diamond flats and then hone on the ceramic section.
Couple drawbacks though: 1. it’s smaller, no finger loop and therefore likely harder to hold. 2. The Milwaukee’s diamond rod would be better for serrations.
Jeremiah D
This makes sense to me as a field companion to their various fixed and folding blade knives with non-replacable blades.
I am someone who has sorta learned to sharpen a few times throughout life but hasnt fully committed to it. This means making a setup and learning to use it. I need to though as i’ve been doing more woodworking and acquired a couple hand planes I want to maintain for effective use.
IronWood
At work I carry a fixed blade serrated Mora around the shipyard for cutting twine, cardboard, plastic, etc. It gets abused and a full proper sharpen would last about a day and be a waste of time. I keep a cheap carbide pull-through sharpener in my locker and just give it a few swipes now and again. Good enough for its intended use. This Milwaukee would be perfect for that as well, and I like that you could store it on a locker door or tool chest with the magnet. Looks like a great tool for that job.
Now at home I have a whole raft of not-portable sharpening supplies for putting a dead flat back and razor edge on plane irons, chisels, and quality knives. The Milwaukee has no place doing any of that, but that’s not what it’s designed for. For field use it looks great.
Joe H
I hate carbide sharpeners. I remember seeing pull through sharpeners a long while back that used course diamond abrasive and a fine ceramic set at an angle and that or similar is about the only pull through style I would use because you get the angle for people who don’t have the skill and consistency but you don’t get the sharp but messed up and weak edge that carbide sharpeners leave because of all those microburrs that break off and lack of uniform support throughout the edge and causes more chipping of the edge. Other abrasives than carbide can still leave a toothy edge if that’s what you want but still maintain a more consistent and supported edge throughout. I use DMT pocket sharpeners since I don’t need an angle guide and just two of those tucked in my pocket took a brand new machete which they don’t typically come with anything resembling an an edge, just a primary bevel, and had that thing shaving hairs in 15 minutes by hand and I did this at work in the break room while eating breakfast.
Robert
Not this sharpener, but closest Milwaukee post to give this.
Acme via an E-mail has a promo of sorts on their new Made in USA hand tools Stuart’s been following.
Percentage “sale” from MSRP is not given, but ballpark for most seems to be around 30%
https://www.acmetools.com/made-in-usa-promotion/
I count 33 items.
Stuart
Nothing is on sale; those are all the original street prices. https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/milwaukee-usa-made-pliers-screwdrivers-pricing-preorders-2023/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
They’re promoting the USA-made tools, but not discounting them.
Robert
I stand corrected.
928'er
A junk sharpener perfect for your junk knives…