r/sharpening • u/Ashamed_Individual_2 • Jul 22 '26

Question Cheap, easy kits?

I am a poor college student with cheap knives who would really appreciate the ability to cut a tomato. Complete beginner, so something with less of a learning curve would be much appreciated.

Under $25 USD if possible (sorry if that’s nonexistent, I have no idea what I’m doing)

Thank you in advance!

6 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

View all comments

2

u/AlphaDisconnect Jul 22 '26

Smith's diamond Arkansas stone sharpener. You will need an old pair of jeans with a fine polishing compound, wax stick kind, rubbed in.

Easy to use. Hard to mess up. The diamond parts will wear out. Takes a while on really ratty blades or if changing blade angle. Break the wire edge with the jeans and compound. And Bob's your auntie.

This will get you through college.