Kershaw Ultra-Tek Sharpener Review

The Kershaw Ultra-Tek Blade Sharpener is one of the most convenient touch up sharpening steels on the market.  I use the Spyderco Sharpmaker when I want to do a full sharpen job on my blade.  I also have a Ken Onion Sharp Maker which is a fantastic little belt sharpener.  But when I am outdoors, on the go, or just need to put a quick touch up on one of my blades, I go with the Ultra-Tek.

The handle is built from 6060-T6 anodized aluminum.  This means it is made from heavy duty aircraft aluminum and is going to take a beating.  This tool doesn’t mind if you throw it in your pack or gear bag and bang it around.  It is nearly indestructible.  The handle is 5″ long but the main usable part is 4″ long.  The other 1″ is actually attached to the sharpening stone and can screw onto the handle with the stone stored inside the handle or screw onto the handle with the stone out of the handle, ready for use.  At the top of the 4″ part, there is a band of diamond texture pattern for your fingers to get an extra grip.  The top 1″ of the handle has the same texture pattern on the whole of it.   The entire handle piece is simply a hollow tube, which makes it very easy to clean.

When you first open your new Ultra-Tek, the 600 grit, diamond coated oval shaft is stored inside the handle. This grit has been specially chosen for its superior ability to restore an edge.  When your blade is still in good shape, but is just a bit dull, pull out your Ultra-Tek and unscrew the oval shaft from the handle interior.  Flip it around and screw it on.  Now you have a 9″ tool ready to sharpen and realign your blade.

To use the Ultra Tek, you simply hold your blade at a 20° angle and slide your blade across the shaft.  You just pull the blade across the oval shaft in an arcing motion.  Slide and swipe your blade from the heel to the tip.  It works just like a steel or a hone–the kind you probably have in your kitchen for touching up your kitchen knives.  When you do this, you need to put quite a bit of pressure on the knife.  In fact, according to Bob Kramer, a master bladesmith, you should put between 4 and 6 lbs of pressure on your blade as you slide it across the sharpener.

If you do this regularly, you will quickly gain expertise at putting a razor sharp edge back on your knives.  The benefit to you is that your tools will be in better shape which means your cuts will be smoother and safer.

The Ultra-Tek doesn’t need water or oil which makes it a perfect field tool.  It weighs just 2.1 ounces, which means it isn’t going to weigh you down–exellent even for ultra light backpackers who want to keep their tools in tip top shape.  And the whole thing stores in a tiny space of just 5 inches by about 3/4″.

If you already have a nice sharpener for your knives, whether it is stones, a Spyderco Sharpmaker or even a nice electric sharpener, consider getting a Kershaw Ultra-Tek for quick blade touch ups.  You can find it here on our website.  Let me know what you think of yours below.

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The Ultra-Tek requires no water or oil. It’s lightweight and easy to use. And it stores compactly, making it easy to take with you.

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Steel: 600-grit, diamond-coated, oval shaft
• Handle: 6061-T6 anodized aluminum
• Sharpening steel length: 4 in. (10.1 cm)
• Overall Length: 9 in. (22.9 cm)
• Stored length: 5 in. (12.7 cm)
• Weight: 2.1 oz. (59.5 g)