Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition Knife & Tool Sharpener Mark 2: A Full Workshop in One Tool

Introduction

Few workshop tools earn genuine excitement, but the Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition Knife & Tool Sharpener Mark 2 has managed exactly that. It is the successor to a sharpener many owners have relied on for a decade, and it moves the concept well beyond a simple belt that hones a knife edge.

What the Mark 2 Is

At its core, the Mark 2 is a small motor with attachments that fit over it. The head unit pops off, and abrasive belts are held in place by a pulley system you can drop back into position and tension with a simple lever. Swapping attachments and belts is quick, which matters because the tool covers far more ground than a fixed sharpener ever could.

Priced at roughly $250, it is not a cheap tool. It is, however, a pro-class machine that consolidates the work of several separate tools, and it is the kind of purchase that can pay for itself rapidly if you maintain your own edges. Compared with a dedicated band file setup, the cost is not far off, but the capability is in a completely different league.

How It Handles Everyday Knife Sharpening

The standard sharpening attachment includes two wings and guides that hold the blade at a consistent angle. Angle is adjustable, motor speed is adjustable, and the controls use indicator lights for the speed setting. For kitchen and slicing knives, you would typically run a slower speed, set an angle such as 20 degrees, choose a medium grit belt, and draw the blade across the guide for a recommended four to eight strokes per side.

The result is a razor-sharp edge with very little skill required. One practical caution: it is tempting to keep the belt running while testing the edge, but if the blade drops or hits the belt crooked, you can put a real imperfection into it.

The Blade Grinding Attachment

This is where the Mark 2 separates itself from anything else in its price neighborhood. The blade grinding attachment swaps on in place of the standard guide, and it offers multiple plates, reference points, angle settings, and slack-sharpening positions for polishing work.

Its headline feature is convex edge control. Small adjustment bumps change the amount of convex bow the belt applies, from minimal to maximum. That matters because convex edges are famously strong and durable, and many working knives develop a slight convex over time anyway. Rather than fighting it, the Mark 2 is designed to refine it deliberately.

The attachment also provides a 90-degree reference point for squaring up rounded knife spines, which is genuinely useful if you strike fire rods. A rounded spine will not throw sparks from a ferro rod, but a few minutes on this attachment can grind a clean, flat striking edge along part or all of the spine.

Beyond Knives: Chisels, Punches, and Restorations

The Mark 2 rewards creative use. It works well on axes, with higher speeds suited to larger tools like these. It also gives far more control than a band file when dressing up punches, chisels, scrapers, and pry bars, all of which benefit from sharp, well-defined edges.

Restoration work is another strong use case. A knife with a snapped tip can be reground back into shape, and unusual blade geometries or previously modified blades can be worked carefully thanks to the adjustable plates and reference surfaces that help you establish a true level before intersecting it with your chosen bevel angle.

Buying Advice

If you only sharpen a kitchen knife a few times a year, a basic manual sharpener remains the sensible choice. But if you maintain a large knife collection, work with axes and hand tools, or enjoy restoring damaged blades, the Mark 2 consolidates a surprising amount of capability into one compact, portable unit. Tracking is easy to center, it comes with belts and an adapter ready to go, and there is a growing range of third-party aftermarket accessories plus official guidance videos from the manufacturer.

Conclusion

The Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition Knife & Tool Sharpener Mark 2 is a rare tool that justifies enthusiasm. It sharpens knives predictably, grinds convex edges with real control, squares spines for fire striking, and handles shop tools that normally end up on a belt sander. At around $250 it is an investment, but for anyone serious about edges, it behaves like a small workshop in a single tool.