best sharpener for field use?

shootist16

shootist16

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I would like to hear some opinions about what works best for sharpening while out in the field.

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Dennis Bible
Knoxville, Tennessee


 
Sadly, sharpening is not something I do as well as I'd like; however, I have gotten reasonable results from DMT foldable diamond hones. I actually carry a blue coarse one in my back pocket. It does a decent job on my ATS-34 pocket knives.

Michael
 
I use the DMTs as well with excellent results. All you need is practice.
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The vague and tenuous hope that GOD is too kind to punish the ungodly has become a deadly opiate for the conscience of millions.

*A. W. Tozer

2 Cor 5:10
 
Ok, I don't feel so bad now. I just got a diafold that has coarse on one side and fine on the other. It seems as though I made a good decision. Anyone use anything else?

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Dennis Bible
Knoxville, Tennessee


 
To me DMT is the way to go because its fast and efficient, and they arent large & heavy. Most field chores don't require a scalpel-edge.
 
Call me crazy but I still carry an ezelap rod and my Gerber sharpening steel. I strop on my belt after wetting the belt and rubbing it into a dusty trail.

As a field expedient I just use a nice smooth stream stone.

Ron

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Learn Life Extension at:

http://www.survival.com ]
 
I like a flat diamond stone of the same length as the blade or a little longer, but with the wooden based removed so it's lighter and more compact.

It'll put a shaving sharp edge on your knife, and doesn't break.

The one I'm using now is a bit short `cause I bought it to sharpen a folder, but it works.
 
Just picked up a Sterling Systems sharpener. It has two carbide cutters in a vee shape. Really small ,really lite, fits a keyring. It does work, probably won't get as keen of edge as your DMT's, but does put a suitable working edge on the knife. "Doug Ritter" recommends it, so I thought I'd try it. Total cost including shipping is $10.
 
If I had to pick a sharpener for an extended trip, I am not sure what I would pick. I have used many of the above, but usually at home. Fishing I have often used one of the small Eze-Lap rods, and that would be my first choice for durability, light weight, and emergency use, if I had to quickly choose one, and did not want to rely on the one on my multi-tool.

Other alternatives that I have not seen mentioned above are:

1. a. Diamond coated wet & dry "sandpaper," for wallet or other carry. I read on BladeForums that it exists, but have never seen any and have no source. Anyone have any information?
b. other abrasive papers/cloths. Any favorites?

2. Gerber also makes a round/flat/groove rod which is aggresive, but I do not know the grit. It has a lightweight aluminum handle.

3. a. Wallet or credit card sharpeners. I understand Eze-lap is making these. Apparently there is a combo model too. One person wanted to glue some abrasive paper/cloth to one of his plastic cards. Anyone have any comments? I kind of shiver, thinking of sliding one of these down the long, sharp, edge of a Battle Mistress....or Nordooh, etc. I guess you could place it on something and pull the knife down it, or otherwise just be careful. It would be convenient to fit it in a wallet, as if I had any more room there. Hardly any money and still too thick.
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Might set off metal detectors.
b. If nothing else it would make a dandy portable fingernail file, like the Leatherman Wave diamond file. Anybody ever try the diamond fingernail files for knives?

4. Gatco triceps. Just managed to get one of these and like it. It worked OK free hand on a knife. The selling point are the built in angles, but I have not measured or used those. Anyone know what they are supposed to be? It is triangular and about the grit of a coarse Spyderco sharpmaker. It has various edges and grooves. After I twisted Brian's arm at Discount Knives he ordered some, in addition to the ones I got. It is supposed to be durable, and I read a magazine article that suggested it had been tested by some military outfit. Might be OK, since even if broke you would still have a piece, or find a rock, etc., ...I doubt if one's survival would be impaired.

5. Aready mentioned by Ron, an improvised strop would be convenient. I had the same idea, but Ron has practiced it and crystalized the idea, by suggesting an effective method. I just got a hone from http://www.handamerican.com and the knives I have used on it got much sharper, so I like that idea. Hmmm...how about putting a little of the included honing compound on one of your tinder cotton balls. Use it to treat your favorite in-the-field strop and still have backup tinder.
 
I got a tri-seps from the Bladeforums store (sure I could have saved a couple of bucks somewhere else but I'm supporting the forums). I am not sure how I am going to like it. I think it will be a decent field expedient sharpener. It seems as though it may be a bit awkward for a right handed person to sharpen the right side of the blade, I think it will be for me anyway. The pluses are that it is compact and seems to be pretty tough. I am not sure of the angle, but am curious myself. I think these are a great item for the money.

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Dennis Bible
Knoxville, Tennessee


 
Dennis,
Thanks for reminding me that BladeForums have the triceps. It slipped my mind, I guess the idea was too sharp. I happened to have an order in with Brian, and at the time already had received my many orders, including the Sharpmaker 204, from BladeForums. I see BF has other sharpeners too: http://www.bladeforums.com/store/accessories/sharpeners/

You're right about using the angles with the opposite hand. I am partially ambidexterous, had used it free-hand, and so had not thought about it. Since it is short, it seems you can arch your arm and hand over the top and hold it, if you do not want to switch hands. Hmm..pull out a knife...it does work! Either I must have sharpened my Boye Basic Saltwater knife, or it worked fast.

[I found out that using my left hand helped me to be able to eat when I was young, after fracturing my right arm--not a recomended method, but effective. I found that using a left handed person's computer with the mouse on the left side helped. I never bothered to move it, and it is only now that the mouse also feels comfortable in my right hand. I am right handed.]

[This message has been edited by Donald (edited 01 December 1999).]
 
Try a fine white ceramic stone after your fine grit diamnd stone.They come in pocket sizes at reasonable prices and last forever. They will polish to a razor edge without lubricants. Once they're loaded with metal just clean them off by scrubbing them in water.

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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
DMT folding hone, red (regular) on one side, green (ultra fine) on the other, and a rectangular piece of leather the same size for a strop, impregnated with green (chromium oxide, I think) honing compound from Lee Valley tools. I rub it on the leather with the stick, then use a hair dryer to melt it into the pores of the leather.* I like to keep my tools sharp! Also, a small rag for wiping down the blade, and a small tube of petroleum jelly to keep the rust away. (*Tip for married guys: wipe the hair dryer off before you sneak it back.)
 
have to agree with Ron and Matt. I use an ezelap diamond rod (model M--brass) and a cheapo white fine ceramic rod about the same size. The diamond is more agressive and the ceramic lets me shave. Also used the strop but with jewlers rouge. Alberta Ed where can I get a hole of Lee Valley Tools, like to try out your stropping idea.
 
I mostly agree with Donald on above thread. My favorite field carry is the eze lap credit card size medium grit (600) diamond hone. This stone will get the job done if used properly and is very rugged. The only problem with it is if your carrry blade has a recurve edge. In that case my next favorite field sharpener is the gatco triseps. Also works very well even though is more fragile. It is also medium grit. At home my all time favorites are the dmt folding diamond hones. I use the green(1200 grit) mostly because I keep my knives very sharp. For all around use the red(600 grit) is probably the most usefull and the blue(325 grit) comes in handy when you blade is very dull. I have a hangup on sharpeners as bad as collecting knives. Every new one that comes along I have to buy and try. Theres plenty of choices though.

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janefromnc

walker
 
Donald, try Japan Woodworker 800-537-7820 for sheets of 3M Flexible Diamond Abrasives with abhesive backings. 800 grit 8x3-inch sheet runs around $43
 
Steven,

Thank you for the information....especially the price. I would put it on my Christmas wish list, but my family and relatives might commit me. I guess I'll have to stick to regular diamond hones as being more economical...and look for the next hardest abrasive paper/cloth. If Spyderco can never find satisfactory diamond sleeves for the Sharpmaker, this would be tempting though, with a strip glued along one side. For the moment, I think my money would be better spent towards renewing my subscription to Tactical Knives
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...or Mike's new collection of electrons.

There have been rumors on BladeForums about the high quality of 3M diamond hones. I suspect the price must be in line with the sheets.
 
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