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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Best field sharpener
- Thread starter fivesense
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It's an "old school" device, but the EZ-LAP diamond rod -- the one that stores in a knurled brass tube that also doubles as a handle -- has always worked well for me and it is compact and easy to carry. I believe it is 600 grit. I've got a couple that I've had for 30 years or more. Disclaimer: I haven't used mine in quite a while (kind of forgot about it!) but I recently got it out to try on a knife that was giving me trouble with the edge and I'm definitely going to be using it again.
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Are the credit card sharpener flexible or rigid?
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Please don't support dealers that sell counterfeits.
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- Mar 8, 2008
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I'm biased, of course, but I'm quite the fan of my Arctic Fox pocket stones for field sharpening and touchups. The coarse side is aggressive enough to remove marks from even very coarse files, then the fine side gives a hazy mirror finish that easily shaves while retaining a bit of slicing aggression.
I have a few that are flexible and others that are not. I'm not sure if they are different models or different years of manufacture.
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The standard ones are rigid, but DMT makes some "flexsharp" ones that are flexible.
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- Jun 13, 2007
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+1
Very good stone with lots of cutting power, I've sharpened everything from 420HC to CPM-10V on the Arctic Fox stone and it's been great. With a light touch you can get the edge almost perfectly burr free... a little stropping always helps but the edge from the stone is VERY sharp.
Now, if I could just get one in a full size bench stone
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Now, if I could just get one in a full size bench stone
We've got full 8x2x1 stones in production right now. Single grit, though. The surface area is too large to do them in dual grit, as the difference in shrink rate between the two sides during firing pulls them apart. Works fine on the little stones, though, as it can be better kept in check.
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- May 25, 2017
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On a 2 part stone, Could the two parts not be fired separately and then stuck together, If there is a difference in size cut them flush once the glue has set.
John.
John.
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That's actually what I was hoping for, I prefer single grit stones.
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They can be, but that's ugly, more expensive (labor intensive) and interferes with with permeability. I much prefer a vitrified bond for dual grits.
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- Sep 30, 2014
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I own 2 of the original (cheaper) version Worksharp field sharpeners. One I've used a ton, often times over my K.O. Worksharp belt shsrpener at home. The other one lives in my bug out bag (unused) . I have the utmost confidence in Worksharp products! For around 25$ It's worth a chance.
Edit: The one that I use has helped me sharpen over 300 some knives. WorkSharp claims one field sharpener can handle 500 "sharpening sessions". After around 320+ sharpenings I see minimal wear on the diamond plates.
Edit: The one that I use has helped me sharpen over 300 some knives. WorkSharp claims one field sharpener can handle 500 "sharpening sessions". After around 320+ sharpenings I see minimal wear on the diamond plates.
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- Sep 30, 2014
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I
I edc one of those in my wallet. I've only needed to use once. To put on edge on a carpenter's hatch during a remodel job. Ive used out several other times to say I've used it. Only once did I "need" it but it's nice to know I can put an edge on a tool anytime!
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I've got the Sharpmaker too, and just added the diamond rods. They will stay as part of my home kit with my various whetstones.
You are right- the Sharpmaker is indeed a fairly compact unit, but it has a lot of individual parts that can easily fall and get lost. I want an all-in-one field sharpener with as few "moving" parts as possible.
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- Apr 12, 2009
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If you're comfortable with a freehand option (I'm assuming so, since you'd originally asked about the Spyderco DoubleStuff), then the DMT Credit Cards or DMT Dia-Fold hones would likely fill that criteria easily. A Coarse/Fine combo in either would likely be the most versatile, in terms of simple touch-ups (Fine) and being able to repair and restore an edge that's more worn or damaged (Coarse), even on relatively large & heavy blades.
The Spyderco DoubleStuff is a pretty decent touch-up hone, but will be very slow in repairing heavier edge damage. It's not really aggressive enough in heavy metal removal for such tasks, and will also clog very fast in doing so, if it's used dry. Also more prone to burring issues, especially when they start getting loaded up with swarf. I have two of them, BTW, but haven't used them much in recent years.
I carry all three of the DMT Credit Card hones daily (Coarse/Fine/EF). They carry in my wallet easily, and will handle any sharpening task I find for them. If picking an alternate option, the blue/red Dia-Fold (Coarse/Fine) would be my next choice; it's a little bulkier for pocket carry, than the credit card hones, but still very versatile. I also have two of those, as well as their EF/EEF (Green/Tan) Dia-Fold.
David
Last edited:
eveled
Gold Member
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Smith makes a nice one. Two sides, diamond grit, stores in the handle. Maybe a little on the large side for a pocket, but good for a pack.
I keep one in my kitchen drawer, one in my glove boxes.
I like the bigger bench top model, but the small one is all you really need.
I keep one in my kitchen drawer, one in my glove boxes.
I like the bigger bench top model, but the small one is all you really need.
JJ_Colt45
Platinum Member
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- Sep 11, 2014
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The worksharp field doesn't fall apart too easily and only the two diamond plates come off but its a deliberate thing. But if you want a one piece unit and you're ok with freehand sharpening since you mentioned you have whetstones then I think this is a great option ...
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I think that carrying a knife without something to sharpen it is like carrying a pistol without an extra magazine. It is usefulness is limited. You make a club out of your pistol and a blunt prybar out of your knife.
There are several improvised ways to sharpen, hone or strop your steel. Rocks, bricks, ceramics, carglass, cardboard, leather belt or wallet, newspaper,... All these are fun to experiment with and great in an emergency, but as always it is best to avoid an emergency.
I keep the knives I carry sharp, I strop them on my belt after use but I has occured that I needed sharpness while the knife lost it (cleaning fish,...). Also when visiting or working with friends and using one of their blunt knives I wanted to be able to sharpen them. Just honing or stropping wasn't enough, I needed something coarser. Some are fine for carrying in a (back)pack, others in a vest and some in the pocket.
I owned some pocket sharpeners before and purchased some especially for this test.
Pictures here: http://s304.photobucket.com/user/RowanMcDirk/library/Pocket Sharpeners?sort=3&page=1
-Handysharp Mini:
9 g, 3.4cm W(ide), 4cm L(ong), 0.4 cm T(hick), carbide/no grit
Very light, can be carried on a keychain without noticing. A pocket knife can be sharpened to a paper cutting sharp(PCS), a thin paring knife can be sharpened to (armhair) shaving sharp(SS). A very light passing over the edge is used, it can be used on small (up to 10 cm/4") and large blades. The carbide is harder than steel and can resharpen really dull knives. I think I only create a sharp microbevel with this but I have made friends and collegues happy (and astonished them) by bringing sharpness to a really dull knife. Is a fantastic striker for a ferro rod. It is good for an emergency but would take to much steel of the edge when used all the time.
-Lansky Puck:
222g, 7.6 cm W, 7.6 cm L, 1.5 cm T, ceramic 120 and 280 grit
Quite heavy, is better suited for larger, rougher blades, machetes and axes. A pocket knife can be sharpened to rough PCS. The two grits can bring a dull knife to life again but it'll never be SS.
-Genuine Arkansas Oilstone:
47 g, 7.4 cm L, 3 cm W 0.7 cm T, natural stone grit 400-600
Light, comes in a plastic box for protection. I usually used with oil but can be used with water (if you never used oil before). Great to bring the edge back to SS. Not good when the knife is totally dull. It might work but it would take a very long time. Most comfortable to sharpen a small knife. There is a slightly larger version of this stone, 10 cm L which will be more comfortable to use.
-Lansky Mini Dog Bone Sharpener:
16g, 10,5 cm L, 0.8 cm T, ceramic, grit unknown
Light, comes with rubber caps with angle guide. Brings an edge back to SS, not good for resharpening a dull knife. Most usefull for a small blade (move the knife over the rod) but can be used for larger blades (move the rod over the knife).
-Fontenille Pataud Honing Steel:
14g, 10.5cm L, 0.3 cm T, hardened steel.
This honing/butcher steel is perfect for straightening a burr, bringing back a SS edge that was just lost. But that's the only use.
-Eze Lap (Eze Edge) Sharpening Bar:
31g, 10 cm L, 2.4 cm W, 0.3 cm T, diamond stone, grits 400 and 600
Light, comes a with a plastic sheath. Perfect to sharpen a dull knife to a SS edge. Most comfortable to sharpen a small knife.
-Fallkniven DC4:
103g, 9.8 cm L, 3.2 cm W, 0.5 cm T, diamond and ceramic, grits 600 to 1000-1200(?)
Medium weight, comes with a leather pouch that can be used for stropping. Good for bringing a knife to SS but the knife shouldn't be too dull. 600 is a large grit to start with. Most comfortable for small knives.
-Generic Ceramic Sharpening Rod:
19 g, 11.2 cm L, 0.8 cm T, grit unkown
Light, comparable to the Lansky Dog Bone. Brings an edge back to SS, not good for resharpening a dull knife. Most usefull for a small blade but can be used for larger blades.
-Handysharp:
21 g, 12 cm L, 2.2 cm W, 0.5 cm T, carbide.
Light, larger but easier to handle than the Mini. Comes with a straight carbide and a pull through sharpener. I never use a pull through sharpener on a knife. You put an edge on your knife but don't create a burr so the sharpness is not what it should be. Pocket knife can be sharpened to PCS, a thin paring knife can be sharpened to SS. A very light passing over the edge is used, it can be used on small (up to 10 cm/4") and large blades. The carbide is harder than steel and can resharpen really dull knives. Is a fantastic striker for a ferro rod. It is good for an emergency but would take to much steel of the edge when used all the time.
-Spark and Sharp:
43g, 12.5 cm L, 2.2 cm W, 2.2 cm T, carbide.
Medium weight, more comfortable to use than the Mini and Handy Sharp. Comes with a ferro rod. Comes with a straight carbide and a pull through sharpener. I never use a pull through sharpener on a knife. You put an edge on your knife but don't create a burr so the sharpness is not what it should be. pocket knife can be sharpened to PCS, a thin paring knife can be sharpened to SS. A very light passing over the edge is used, it can be used on small (up to 10 cm/4") and large blades. The carbide is harder than steel and can resharpen really dull knives. Is a fantastic striker for a ferro rod. It is good for an emergency but would take to much steel of the edge when used all the time.
Eze Lap Dual Sided Diamond Sharpener:
102 g, 12.5 cm L, 2.7 cm W, 1.2 cm T. Diamond, grits 400 and 1200.
Heavy, very comfortable to use. Good for bringing a knife to SS but the knife shouldn't be too dull. 600 grit is a large grit to start with. Comfortable to sharpen larger knives due to handle. There is another version with grits 250 and 600 which would be more usefull with a dull knife.
Marttiini Diamond Sharpener Pen:
43 g, 13.7 cm L, 1 cm W, diamond, grit unkown (between 400-600?)
Medium weight, easy co carry with pocket clip. Comfortable to sharpen a small knife (moving knife over rod), can be used for larger knives (move rod over knives). Good for bringing a knife to SS but the knife shouldn't be too dull. Has a flat side, round side and a groove.
Accusharp:
31 g, 14 cm L, 6 cm W, 2.2 cm T, carbide
Pull through/over sharpener. I never use a pull through sharpener on a knife. You put an edge on your knife but don't create a burr so the sharpness is not what it should be. It could be used to reprofile a really blunt axe, sword, machete and create the burr with a different sharpener. It'll work but it won't look nice.
Eze Lap 6" Diamond Stone:
204g, 15,2 cm L, 2.4 cm W, 0.6 cm T, Diamond, grits 150 or 250 or 400 or 600 or 1200.
Heavy. Comes with a leather pouch that can be used as a strop. Comfortable to sharpen small knives, reasonably comfortable to sharpen larger knives. You have to make a decision in the grit, depends of the purpose needed. A dual sided one would have been very usefull. There are also 3" and 4" models.
Conclusion:
When using and testing the sharpeners I always used my leather belt to strop the knives.
The ones I will carry.
Pocket: Handysharp Mini on my keychain to sharpen friend's really dull knives. Eze Lap sharpening bar to touch up the knives I carry.
Vest: Handysharp to sharpen friend's really dull knives. I was in doubt between one of the ceramic rods and the (Marttiini) diamond rod. The ceramic rods are lighter but can break. The diamond rod is a bit heavier but won't break. Although I might replace it with an Eze Lap sharpening bar when I get another.
(Back)pack: Spark and Sharp to sharpen really dull knives. A ferro rod might come handy. Together with the Eze Lap Diamond sharpener to touch up my knives. The one with grits 250 and 600 could replace the Spark and Sharp (I'd loose the ferro rod).
There are several improvised ways to sharpen, hone or strop your steel. Rocks, bricks, ceramics, carglass, cardboard, leather belt or wallet, newspaper,... All these are fun to experiment with and great in an emergency, but as always it is best to avoid an emergency.
I keep the knives I carry sharp, I strop them on my belt after use but I has occured that I needed sharpness while the knife lost it (cleaning fish,...). Also when visiting or working with friends and using one of their blunt knives I wanted to be able to sharpen them. Just honing or stropping wasn't enough, I needed something coarser. Some are fine for carrying in a (back)pack, others in a vest and some in the pocket.
I owned some pocket sharpeners before and purchased some especially for this test.
Pictures here: http://s304.photobucket.com/user/RowanMcDirk/library/Pocket Sharpeners?sort=3&page=1
-Handysharp Mini:
9 g, 3.4cm W(ide), 4cm L(ong), 0.4 cm T(hick), carbide/no grit
Very light, can be carried on a keychain without noticing. A pocket knife can be sharpened to a paper cutting sharp(PCS), a thin paring knife can be sharpened to (armhair) shaving sharp(SS). A very light passing over the edge is used, it can be used on small (up to 10 cm/4") and large blades. The carbide is harder than steel and can resharpen really dull knives. I think I only create a sharp microbevel with this but I have made friends and collegues happy (and astonished them) by bringing sharpness to a really dull knife. Is a fantastic striker for a ferro rod. It is good for an emergency but would take to much steel of the edge when used all the time.
-Lansky Puck:
222g, 7.6 cm W, 7.6 cm L, 1.5 cm T, ceramic 120 and 280 grit
Quite heavy, is better suited for larger, rougher blades, machetes and axes. A pocket knife can be sharpened to rough PCS. The two grits can bring a dull knife to life again but it'll never be SS.
-Genuine Arkansas Oilstone:
47 g, 7.4 cm L, 3 cm W 0.7 cm T, natural stone grit 400-600
Light, comes in a plastic box for protection. I usually used with oil but can be used with water (if you never used oil before). Great to bring the edge back to SS. Not good when the knife is totally dull. It might work but it would take a very long time. Most comfortable to sharpen a small knife. There is a slightly larger version of this stone, 10 cm L which will be more comfortable to use.
-Lansky Mini Dog Bone Sharpener:
16g, 10,5 cm L, 0.8 cm T, ceramic, grit unknown
Light, comes with rubber caps with angle guide. Brings an edge back to SS, not good for resharpening a dull knife. Most usefull for a small blade (move the knife over the rod) but can be used for larger blades (move the rod over the knife).
-Fontenille Pataud Honing Steel:
14g, 10.5cm L, 0.3 cm T, hardened steel.
This honing/butcher steel is perfect for straightening a burr, bringing back a SS edge that was just lost. But that's the only use.
-Eze Lap (Eze Edge) Sharpening Bar:
31g, 10 cm L, 2.4 cm W, 0.3 cm T, diamond stone, grits 400 and 600
Light, comes a with a plastic sheath. Perfect to sharpen a dull knife to a SS edge. Most comfortable to sharpen a small knife.
-Fallkniven DC4:
103g, 9.8 cm L, 3.2 cm W, 0.5 cm T, diamond and ceramic, grits 600 to 1000-1200(?)
Medium weight, comes with a leather pouch that can be used for stropping. Good for bringing a knife to SS but the knife shouldn't be too dull. 600 is a large grit to start with. Most comfortable for small knives.
-Generic Ceramic Sharpening Rod:
19 g, 11.2 cm L, 0.8 cm T, grit unkown
Light, comparable to the Lansky Dog Bone. Brings an edge back to SS, not good for resharpening a dull knife. Most usefull for a small blade but can be used for larger blades.
-Handysharp:
21 g, 12 cm L, 2.2 cm W, 0.5 cm T, carbide.
Light, larger but easier to handle than the Mini. Comes with a straight carbide and a pull through sharpener. I never use a pull through sharpener on a knife. You put an edge on your knife but don't create a burr so the sharpness is not what it should be. Pocket knife can be sharpened to PCS, a thin paring knife can be sharpened to SS. A very light passing over the edge is used, it can be used on small (up to 10 cm/4") and large blades. The carbide is harder than steel and can resharpen really dull knives. Is a fantastic striker for a ferro rod. It is good for an emergency but would take to much steel of the edge when used all the time.
-Spark and Sharp:
43g, 12.5 cm L, 2.2 cm W, 2.2 cm T, carbide.
Medium weight, more comfortable to use than the Mini and Handy Sharp. Comes with a ferro rod. Comes with a straight carbide and a pull through sharpener. I never use a pull through sharpener on a knife. You put an edge on your knife but don't create a burr so the sharpness is not what it should be. pocket knife can be sharpened to PCS, a thin paring knife can be sharpened to SS. A very light passing over the edge is used, it can be used on small (up to 10 cm/4") and large blades. The carbide is harder than steel and can resharpen really dull knives. Is a fantastic striker for a ferro rod. It is good for an emergency but would take to much steel of the edge when used all the time.
Eze Lap Dual Sided Diamond Sharpener:
102 g, 12.5 cm L, 2.7 cm W, 1.2 cm T. Diamond, grits 400 and 1200.
Heavy, very comfortable to use. Good for bringing a knife to SS but the knife shouldn't be too dull. 600 grit is a large grit to start with. Comfortable to sharpen larger knives due to handle. There is another version with grits 250 and 600 which would be more usefull with a dull knife.
Marttiini Diamond Sharpener Pen:
43 g, 13.7 cm L, 1 cm W, diamond, grit unkown (between 400-600?)
Medium weight, easy co carry with pocket clip. Comfortable to sharpen a small knife (moving knife over rod), can be used for larger knives (move rod over knives). Good for bringing a knife to SS but the knife shouldn't be too dull. Has a flat side, round side and a groove.
Accusharp:
31 g, 14 cm L, 6 cm W, 2.2 cm T, carbide
Pull through/over sharpener. I never use a pull through sharpener on a knife. You put an edge on your knife but don't create a burr so the sharpness is not what it should be. It could be used to reprofile a really blunt axe, sword, machete and create the burr with a different sharpener. It'll work but it won't look nice.
Eze Lap 6" Diamond Stone:
204g, 15,2 cm L, 2.4 cm W, 0.6 cm T, Diamond, grits 150 or 250 or 400 or 600 or 1200.
Heavy. Comes with a leather pouch that can be used as a strop. Comfortable to sharpen small knives, reasonably comfortable to sharpen larger knives. You have to make a decision in the grit, depends of the purpose needed. A dual sided one would have been very usefull. There are also 3" and 4" models.
Conclusion:
When using and testing the sharpeners I always used my leather belt to strop the knives.
The ones I will carry.
Pocket: Handysharp Mini on my keychain to sharpen friend's really dull knives. Eze Lap sharpening bar to touch up the knives I carry.
Vest: Handysharp to sharpen friend's really dull knives. I was in doubt between one of the ceramic rods and the (Marttiini) diamond rod. The ceramic rods are lighter but can break. The diamond rod is a bit heavier but won't break. Although I might replace it with an Eze Lap sharpening bar when I get another.
(Back)pack: Spark and Sharp to sharpen really dull knives. A ferro rod might come handy. Together with the Eze Lap Diamond sharpener to touch up my knives. The one with grits 250 and 600 could replace the Spark and Sharp (I'd loose the ferro rod).