Fear & Loading: Holiday Edge

by
posted on November 15, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
worksharp_lede.jpg

In a perfect world, holiday turkeys are carved with surgical precision, meat slices to uniform thickness and the host performs the task like a fine ballet, effortlessly choreographing each move to leave guests in wonder at the sight. Unfortunately, that knife hasn’t been sharpened since last year, when Uncle Billy cut his belt loose after triple dips at the dessert table and Joey discovered it was the fastest way to unzip holiday gifts.

Bludgeon may be a better description if you press it into service, although there’s always that harpoon way in the back of the knife drawer you’ve never used because the tip’s in another zip code, it’s rusted to an artfully flaking patina and the duct tape from its tenure as a makeshift TV antenna is permanently affixed. There’ll be static from the guests if it’s put to use, so the only alternative is to sharpen that carving knife—finally.

Getting it done properly and easily is easier than ever, thanks to a pair of sharpeners from Work Sharp Tools. At less than $100 each, they’re also ideal gift ideas for those meat-sawing homemakers, hunters and outdoorsmen we all know.

“All our products are designed and assembled in America, to stand up to the rigors of everyday use,” said Matthew Bernard, CEO Work Sharp Tools, the company that offers the Original Knife & Tool Sharpener and the Combo Knife Sharpener. “What we make is just as important as the people who make it, and we’re dedicated to building quality sharpeners for our customers at affordable prices.”

                                   

The Work Sharp Combo Knife Sharpener ($49.95) uses sharpening and honing guides to ensure the user gets a perfect and consistent edge angle every time. This combination of precision guides, flexible abrasive belt technology and a fine ceramic hone allows you to sharpen your blades fast and easy. With it you can restore a dull knife to a perfect "as sharp as new" edge with ease and repeatability. 

                                 

The Original Knife & Tool Sharpener ($89.95) is designed to sharpen every knife you own. Using flexible abrasive belts, the sharpener can sharpen a variety of knives such as curved knives, tanto blades, filet knives, gut hooks and more. The Knife & Tool Sharpener uses precision angle-sharpening guides to ensure the proper angle. Two guides are included: a 50-degree guide for hunting and outdoor knives (25-degrees per bevel), and a 40-degree guide for thinner blades and kitchen knives (20-degrees per bevel). 

Visit Work Sharp Tools for full details and put the harpoon back in the drawer, where it belongs. Besides, you’re making Uncle Billy nervous, and we all know how he gets when he starts to blubber.

Latest

Staccato P4x Review 1
Staccato P4x Review 1

First Impressions of the Staccato P4X

Down in Texas, Staccato launched a new pistol to celebrate America's 250th anniversary: the P4X. One can hardly blame them considering that the company's entire product line is based on the 1911, arguably the most American of handguns.

A Big Third Circuit Ruling on America’s Rifle

In an appeal of a case the NRA filed in 2018, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit struck down New Jersey’s ban on “assault weapons” and “large capacity” ammunition magazines as unconstitutional.

Top Cop: How an Armed American Saved President Trump’s Life

An NRA Benefactor Member and NRA Certified Law Enforcement Patrol Rifle Instructor, Sergeant Aaron Zaliponi likely saved the life of President Trump in Butler, Pa. For these reasons, the NRA has selected him as the 2025 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.

Review: Rock River Arms A1 Carbine SBR

The Rock River Arms A1 SBR is just plain cool, and there’s little justification needed beyond that for picking up a new gun. It’s a mixture of throwback, retro and nostalgia with a bayonet lug, and you just can’t go wrong there.

The Armed Citizen® July 20, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Plinking Perfect: 5 Must-Haves for Your Next Rimfire Shoot

What better way to celebrate 250 years of freedom than to go out plinking this summer? Here are five great products that will make your next rimfire range trip better than ever before.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.