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I use the Ken Onion Edition Work Sharp. I always had cheaper knives until 15 years ago. Once I started buying or receiving better blades it was apparent that my knife sharpening skills needed some work. I realized the handheld sharpeners could only get your knives back to maybe 80% of the razor edge, but with little practice I had all my kitchen and pocketknives back to 95%. I would say I can get them all to 95% in less than 5 minutes with the Work Sharp. I also carry the pocket sharpener when I am out hunting. If you are looking for a new knife for hunting or a cool kitchen set, please check out Montana Knife Company (MKC). Master Bladesmith Josh Smith from right here in Frenchtown, MT. He was on Forged in Fire a couple of times and his knives are the best I have ever used.
Ken Onion Edition Knife & Tool Sharpener - Work Sharp Sharpeners (worksharptools.com)
Montana Knife Company | Made in the USA

 

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Awe the miniature version of my,

BURR KING knife makers belt.

With the Burr King, technique is everything! Not for a beginner or faint of heart though.

Al

I'll take easy every day when I can. I have too many irons in the fire to master something else. I am literally a "Jack of all trades", Master of few.

 

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I rarely trust nor make a product review. There are just too many folks getting something in return for reviewing items, or they review a product they know nothing about, nor understand what true quality is. This is my second "review" of Montana Knife Company (MKC) though. Disclaimer, I have not received anything for this review. I have used Benchmade and Outdoor Edge products since their inception, however I will never buy another. My Montana Knife has gone through at least 8 separate animals this season and is still the sharpest knife in my drawer. The Outdoor edge takes at least 4 blades per elk, the way I abuse them. The Benchmade made it through 3/4 of a Muley before it was dull, but the MKC edge hasn't been touched. I will be buying another very soon and my friends will get to use the inferior brands. By the way, MKC is made in the USA with all American components, including the steel.

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Looks like MKC makes their blades from 52100 steel (a chromium steel typically used in bearings).

And there in lies the trick - the best knives are made from carbon steel, tool steel, or the like - and your MKC blade is of that class. None of these are stainless so they can rust, although the chromium steel should resist better than the others.

Two other companies to look at are Battle Horse Knives (https://battlehorseknives.com/medium-sized-knives) and Knives of Alaska (which, oddly are made in Texas) (Knives of Alaska: KOA Store).

There is a bunch of 'new kids on the block' types of stainless steel - haven't played with them enough to draw a conclusion, but stainless has typically been too soft to hold an edge well. (Guide to the Best Knife Steel)

I carry a Battle Horse Buckeye knife - D2 tool steel. We dressed 26 deer with it over about two weeks and it touched a sharpening steel one time during all that processing. Good steel makes a good knife.

Yep!
The Montana Knife Company™ Blackfoot Blade 2.0s are made from 52100 high carbon ball-bearing steel. The cryogenically heat-treated blades provide a perfect balance of toughness and edge retention. Once the razor edge has been lost it can be easily sharpened with a small stone. Unlike other knives, the Blackfoot’s edge can be maintained by even novice knife owners. Additionally, the blades have been parkerized to a black finish which will help minimize rust and glare. 52100 is not stainless. After use, clean the blade and occasionally apply a little wax or oil.

 

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Those knives are a wee bit expensive. Bucks knives are good at a third of the price of a MKC.

I understand where you are coming from, and I used to think like that. They are expensive compared to "cheap" knives. I have found buck to have the most brittle blades. Until you have tried a good knife you won't be able to justify the expense. I was "issued" my first quality knife in the USMC. I worked horse trades with Spec Ops to obtain a few more quality blades. I grew up on Case and Kershaw, the only thing I hated, and still do about case, is the non-locking blade. I nearly amputated my fingers on several occasions when the blade folded while I was improperly cutting. I plan to get several more MKC knives. I have a large drawer and several peg board hooks filled with cheap knives I bought for work or have received as gifts. I carry the Gerber/buck/case etc. at work. I cut a lot of tape, zip ties, boxes, cable etc. and always get asked "do you have a knife". My response "Uh, yeah, I am a man don't you". So, I use the drawer of cheap knives for work and loaning. I use good knives as my EDC and hunting. At work, I always have a cheap knife and a good knife. I use the cheap one 80% of the time. As you can see, I get a lot of Gerber knives when they are on sale. They are not good knives like they used to be. They are in the Walmart category of Buck knives.