Smith’s 50364 Pocket Pal X2 Sharpener & Outdoors Tool – Yellow – Coarse and Fine – LED Light – Fire Starter – Signal Whistle - Compass

TLDR version: Buy it if you want a good sharpener and you are not a survival idiot. Don't buy this if you have an ultralight survival delusion as you will probably die. This little gadget is a fun design that employs many nice to have features into one compact design. The pull through sharpener is not a new idea and works on the principle of creating a small micro edge that can be quite sharp. The diamond round sharpener works well too for resharpening serrated edges and taking burrs off of a pulled through blade. I wonder why there are review here that speak to the ineffectiveness of this product. When you understand that this tool is not for putting a permanent edge on a tool but maintaining an already sharp edge that has been created by this tool, you really start to see the beauty of the simplicity of its design. Once you have made the micro edge with a knife you pulled through and this has changed your blade's cut style, you have to realize it's going to work differently than before because it's not the same kind of edge you were working with before. If you don't want to work with a micro edge that may well be different than the blades original profile, then this may not be your tool. If you know how to use the diamond sharpener rod to maintain the blades original profile, you're already set. If you realize how this works, how the different sharpening pieces work together, and are good with how that will effect your future cutting applications then buy this tool. I have three of these, one bought through Amazon. I have not had any problems with the functionality of the tool for its main purpose at all. Then again, I don't expect this tool to be a full professional knife resharping system that is going to put a laser edge on my knives. That is what a different and more expensive system is for. I also do not abuse my knives by making them do things they are not meant to do. For example, a knife like a Victorinox Tinker is not a pair of hard wire cutters and if you choose to try cut through something like that with it, well, I've got a sign for you that Bill Engvall would be proud to hand you. Likewise if you choose to use your knife tip as a screwdriver and break it or chip it, don't expect this little tool to fix your mistake of pressing a blade into service outside of its design of use. Moving on to what I consider bonus functionality, the survival applications. The whistle isn't the loudest thing out there but it's better than screaming and less energy and voice consuming. There are purpose designed whistles that do a better job and yes you should probably carry one. The small flashlight isn't really that bad, not the most amount of Lumens I've ever seen but it is a handy little light for searching around inside backpacks or boxes in the dark. If you're relying on this light for all your illumination needs and trying to go Ultralight, you'll be in the dark in short order. You'd be better off with a headlamp and a Maglite Solitaire Led on your keychain. When it comes to flashlights, the rule is two is one and backup batteries are a thing. This light was never meant to be a full time use light but merely a nice to have option for the limited time it may work. Not a deal breaker in my opinion. If I want to buy a flashlight, I'll buy a good sturdy flashlight. I didn't buy this for illumination, I bought it for sharpening knives which it does well. The compass is functional on all three that I have and works just fine, if again you understand its limitations. It's never going to be a military lensatic compass that is built like a tank and this little guy will be more susceptible to breakage or loss because of its size, design, and attachment method. Moving on to one of the most well executed parts of the whole tool aside from its main purpose, the fire starter. It throws a lot of sparks and is an excellent backup to your primary firestaring means and/or kit. Why a backup? Because of the fact that the flint stick itself is smal and thin and thus prone to breakage. It will not put forth sparks as long or as reliably as a dedicated 1/2 diameter by 6" long ferrocerium Rod that is predrilled for a lanyard attachment. I would wager that many individuals didn't even read the product information packet instruction manual that came with the tool that shows you how you're supposed to use the striker with the pull through sharpening carbide section to throw those sparks and likely already broke or will break their tool because they screwed up; likely blaming the tool for their own failure to do their due diligence in knowing their equipment ahead of time. Folks, we have to realize that the products we buy have limitations and specified areas of use. We must be able to understand those use areas to employ these tools with the right mindset so that if we must use the tool outside of its designed functionality we can do so safely in knowledge of the fact that we may need to MacGyver a different approach to something more workable. This little sharpener works well when you completely understand it's limitations and you have taken the necessary precautions to only have to rely on the survival applications in the most dire of situations. Translation, if you're looking for a survival panacea from this tool, get a reality check. If you're looking for a good sharpener with some bonus backup survival functionality, buy this tool.

Love Smith's Sharpeners for on the go touch up of knives. At home I usually use a Lansky kit to get a nice sharp knife, but in all my tool kits, tackle boxes, or anywhere else I store a knife I keep a smith's CCk2 style sharpener with it for keeping knives sharp when I am away from the shop. I bought a CCK2 sharpener at Lowes hardware 5 years ago and now every time I buy a knife I buy one of them to go with it because they are super cheap and work well for pretty much a lifetime. Well This time I bought a new knife and my local store did not have any CCK2s in stock. I searched for one on Amazon and found this one instead. Its about 4 times the price as a CCK2 but it has a lot of very nice improvements. For one, this one has a survivalist feel to it by integrating a fire steel, compass, whistle and LED flash light. Kind of overkill for what I need, but awesome and well done. Lots of multi tools have a bunch of tools that only work kind of Half A$$ed. All the add ons here are very functional. Another improvement is the addition of a diamond rod which can be useful for serrated knives, rope cutting/seat-belt cutting emergency knives, and fishing hooks. Lastly They improved the ceramic sharpener. Instead of 2 criss crossed ceramic rods, there are know two ceramic polygonal inserts that more closely match the contour of the knife blade and do a much better job than the old style ceramic rods. My only complaint is that the new ceramic sharpeners are almost identical in color to the Carbide Sharpeners. If you haven't used the tool in a while to remember which is which and you are in low light conditions, you can easily mistake the Carbide for the ceramic and mess up your blade. As long as you are careful though, the improvements are nice. Especially if you are hiking or camping and could use the survival stuff like the compass and fire steel.

This thing is a pocketful. Was going to use it on my key chain, but just too big to suit me. I'd say the product is satisfactory and has stuff that is good to have handy and I guess it has to be this big to encompass everything. Just was hoping it to be about as compact as their "Pocket Pal" (which is compact enough to carry for me). If I had to criticize the product, I'd say the weakest item is the compass. The thing is a little harder to hold level enough, as compared to other button compasses I have encountered. Overall, I"d say this is a good product and I am not sorry I bought it. It just will go on my BOB or in my truck instead of on my person on a daily basis. I'm revising here after looking at my key ring. I have other items on it (flat & bright little flashlight in comparison to that on this little sharpener, small knife, small loyalty cards, 3 keys and a college emblem). My point being, if I took all this other stuff off, the size would be more acceptable for my front pocket (or else just wear cargo shorts). Anyway, I was thinking it unfair to criticize it for size without elaborating. My last comment would be that the flashlight portion of this item is fairly dim on mine, but would be able to light a keyway in the dark or inside a backpack (not much more-I.E. not where you are walking).

This thing is cool and works as good as it's advertised. I tested it out on a few older beat up pocket knives using the carbide side to set a new edge and the ceramic side to fine tune it. Now it's habit to use it whenever I use my edc knife this way it's always razor sharp. Also being a camping lover I knew this would come in handy incase something happened to my lighter, the magnesium fire stick can be used with your knife or the carbide side of the sharpener and the whistle and light are just nifty extras that never hurt to have. This thing is perfect for your tacklebox, camping equipment, toolbox or just keep it in your pocket like I do. It would also make a great gift or stocking stuffer for any outdoorsman.

For the price, you get four tools in one and in survival having one tool that’s dual purpose is great having one tool that serves for well that’s just a no-brainer. I’ve owned this tool for about six years. It still works. Does the job like the gentleman explained in his very long review. It does change the profile of the knife. It is not, an expensive Uber sharpener none of the equipment on it should be relied upon as primary if you’re using it in a camping survival or apocalyptic scenario they are merely a back up, but it is a reliable device that works to do its primary function, which is To sharpen which already has an edge on it and to do light repair work in the field great, great price nice quality.

All parts of this survival pocket sharpener work flawlessly. The blades are set perfectly for all hunting, bushcraft, and survival knives, and the ceramic wedges are perfect for quickly sharpening the edge to hair shaving sharpness. This will take care of any bush craft touch up needs and put the edge back on all your hunting knives. The fire rod works great and throws excellent amount of sparks. The light works good and enough for immediate need. The compass works good but must be held flat...keep metal away from the compass while using of course.The whistle is very high pitch and loud...don't test in an enclosed area. Great buy for the money.

For slightly more space than the original pocket pal you get a small but usable compass, a reasonable whistle, and a ferrocerium rod that can be used with the carbide sharpener (doesn't need a separate striker). This will fit in most sharpening stone pockets on field knife sheaths and add a bit of functionality. The edge angle is fixed, but it's just right for a field knife. The Whistle isn't going to blow out an eardrum, but it's loud enough and will keep working long after you would lose your voice. The ferrocerium rod is thin(obviously as the entire tool is fairly thin) and you must be careful not to snap it. I haven't had a problem with mine, it doesn't require a lot of muscle to throw generous sparks. Compared to other, stand-alone, ferocerium rods this one is thin, so I am careful with it. This is far more practical and functional that the tiny "stones" sometimes included with field knives and much easier to use than the clumsy and too-small diamond sharpening pads sometimes attached to knife sheathes. It's a pocket pal sharpener with some added features "just in case". If I lose my bic lighter, compass, flashlight, or whistle, I still have this small but functional backup in my knife sheath, where I'd typically be carrying a pocket pal sharpener anyway. Oh, and it's bright yellow so you won't lose it so easily. Gear can easily break or be lost, and this is cheap, lightweight and compact redundancy for some critical gear that you should have any time you venture outside of the "paved zone" . You need a sharpener, so why not a sharpener with some important backup functionality?. "One is none, two is one." Have a backup plan, and backup equipment, and a dangerous "cold and lost at night in the woods" emergency can turn into nothing more than an chilly night, next to a fire, under the stars. Are there better whistles, compasses, flashlights, and firestarters available? Yes, of course. But is there a better combination of these, plus a combination (carbide, ceramic and serrated rod) sharpener that fits in a typical sharpening stone pocket for under $15?

Want to sharpen all of the knives in your house in 15 minutes or less? Want to get a razor sharp cutting edge without breaking out 4 different whetstones? Then I have some good news for you! This little knife sharpener is small but mighty. It worked on everything, from our junky cheapo knives that we still use every day to our fancy Henckels blades to our surgical steel santoku. All are now super sharp. And it’s so easy to use that we’ve started breaking it out all the time, to give the knives a few strokes through the ceramic bit before starting a large cutting job. For the price we paid, it’s an excellent tool.