Two Pocket Sharpeners Compared: Snap-On SCS2 and Benchmade Work Sharp Rod

Introduction

Pocket sharpeners rarely get much attention, but a couple of options stand out for anyone who wants to touch up knives and tools away from the workbench. This comparison covers the Snap-On SCS2 Knife and Tool Sharpener, which is actually manufactured by CRKT (Columbia River Knife and Tool), and the Benchmade-branded Work Sharp sharpening rod. Both are well made, but they serve noticeably different needs and price points.

Snap-On SCS2 Knife and Tool Sharpener

The SCS2 is a folding sharpener with a hard plastic handle held together with a couple of small torque screws, and the handle locks into three positions: 180 degrees, 90 degrees, and fully closed. A small button releases the locking mechanism, and a fingernail groove makes it easy to pull open again. The unit is made in China, which is not unusual for this category.

It offers three main sharpening surfaces. First, a set of carbide blades for heavier metal removal; these are replaceable should you wear them down. Second, a tapered diamond sharpening rod, and the taper is the real advantage because it lets you reach into serrations, including very small ones, which matters when you have dulled a blade cutting wet rope or similar material. Third, a short triangular ceramic rod for honing. Most comparable tools run a longer, fatter ceramic rod, but this one still does the job, and the triangular shape can reach spots on tools as long as you have enough working room.

The base of the folded tool sits close to flush with the ground in one orientation but not the other, so heavy pressure can tip or load the pivot. That may be deliberate to protect the pivot while removing a lot of metal with the carbide blades. One cosmetic concern: the finish on the body appears to be paint, which may wear off over time and hurt the resale value.

Overall it is a well-made tool with CRKT engineering behind it, and the Snap-On branding appeals to fans of the brand beyond just shop tools. It is, however, a little on the expensive side for what it is.

Benchmade Work Sharp Sharpening Rod

The Benchmade rod is a Work Sharp product sold under the Benchmade brand; Work Sharp sells an identical version in yellow. It is one of the favorite tools of this type for good reason: it features coarse and fine diamond surfaces, a strop area, blade guides, a small piece of ceramic, and textured caps that pop off so you can store things inside them. You can also rotate to different texture types on the ceramic.

The catch is price. It cost around $39 when new, but similar Benchmade-branded items have climbed sharply, and it now lists closer to $65. That is not necessarily terrible, but simpler alternatives exist, some even under $10, and plenty of other brands make similar tapered diamond rods, such as Smith’s and Sharperal.

Which One Should You Buy?

Tapered diamond rods are genuinely versatile. Even though these rods taper, they are not rounded: they have flat faces that are simply not parallel, so you can do a lot of sharpening with them. Keep in mind that these rods are also somewhat fragile. Both rods in this comparison have snapped, mostly at the tip, and one snapped out of its housing entirely, so treat them gently around the tip.

If you want one tool that covers coarse regrinding, serration work, and honing in a folding package, the Snap-On SCS2 is the more complete kit, especially if you like the brand. If you mainly want a high-quality tapered diamond rod and strop and can accept the higher current pricing, the Benchmade Work Sharp rod remains a refined option, though budget shoppers should also look at simpler under-$10 alternatives.

Conclusion

Both tools earn their place in a pocket or tool roll. The Snap-On SCS2 offers the wider feature set in a folding, CRKT-designed body, while the Benchmade Work Sharp rod delivers premium diamond sharpening with a price that has risen along with the brand. Match the choice to how you sharpen and how much you value the branding.