Best Sharpener for 3V?

[IaccidentlyCutmyThumb]

I posted this under Benchmade's forum but it's a much better fit here so here we go! I'm getting a BM Leuku in 3V as my first super steel, and I don't really know what to use to sharpen it. Right now I have a DC4, 1k/4k bench stone, and a strop. What should I use for the 3V? Will I be fine with my DC4 and strop? Will I need a new system altogether?

Should I get a DMT Diafold in course/fine, fine/extra fine? Should I get a CC4? Should I get something else portable? I spend a lot of time outdoors so I would like a mobile way to sharpen that would also suffice for sharpening at home. Can I get away with a mini-sharpener, or should I get a big home system and the 3V edge will hold well enough for a few days in the wild I wouldn't have to sharpen it? I imagine I could use a river rock to polish it, but it seems like there's no way I could get away with that for actual sharpening with 3V. Eventually I want to get a WS Ken Onion but that's a little irresponsible financially given some major investments I made recently.

Thanks for any input, I really have no idea what to expect! It's been all simple carbon steels with a couple 12C27/14C28N in there. Nothing like this.

 

[000Robert]

Wicked Edge! I have a WE130. But in any case, I would say diamond stones.

 

[IaccidentlyCutmyThumb]

Wicked Edge! I have a WE130. But in any case, I would say diamond stones.

Ah yes what a casual and practical purpose at this stage in my life One day I'll own something like that but for now it eludes me my friend. Would you say fine/extra fine or course/fine?

 

[Blues]

Coarse / Fine will be the best all around solution, imho, whether on a bench stone or something more portable.

(Perhaps Fine / Extra Fine for touch-ups in the field. But Coarse / Fine is more useful overall.)

Just my opinion.

 

[IaccidentlyCutmyThumb]

Coarse / Fine will be the best all around solution, imho, whether on a bench stone or something more portable.

(Perhaps Fine / Extra Fine for touch-ups in the field. But Coarse / Fine is more useful overall.)

Just my opinion.

Good to know! I've heard the course is too course, but maybe not for supersteels. Or those other people were wrong. Thanks for the reply!

 

[sickpuppy1]

And of course, much will depend on whether you are just bringing back the working edge or getting rid of some knicks or rolled edge. The fine/extra fine would be for bringing back a nice working edge . Diamond stones I assume…..

 

[aleforme]

The DMT Diafold Coarse/Fine is a great portable stone if you want some that you can take with you anywhere.

 

[000Robert]

Ah yes what a casual and practical purpose at this stage in my life One day I'll own something like that but for now it eludes me my friend. Would you say fine/extra fine or course/fine?

The new Wicked Edge WE60 should be available sometime this fall. I can't say much about it yet but it's pretty nice - I love it!

 

[willc]

If I were you I would take the DC4 and do light passes with the diamond side till you take off all the factory lines and get a burr on each side.
Go slow and inspect the edge frequently with good light and magnification.
Once you have a sharp edge off that you could lightly refine with your 1K.

I usually go at 3V with 220 SiC stone , clean up with Arctic Fox and then strop with diamonds usually 6micron down to 1 micron.

 

[Alberta Ed]

Coarse/fine Diafold is great for the field. I use that combo (coarse/fine) on my DMT bench stones at home, too. 3V (Benchmade Puukko 200) is easy to hone, takes a nice fine edge and holds it a long time.

 

[Boombats]

I think it's a bit of a myth that 3V is hard to sharpen. I am a putz when it comes to the process, yet I was able to get a great edge on two new 3V knives that came to me pretty dull, and all I used was a $23 Lansky turn box.