Best sharpening stone to pack in?

[Guyon]

Am looking at small but effective sharpening stones for backpacking/hiking.

It needs to be able to sharpen a knife (which, for me, alternates between a Buck custom 110 and a Bark River Highland, so we're talking about BG-42 and A2 steels) as well as hone a Gransfors Bruks Mini Hatchet or Wildlife Hatchet (carbon steel).

It also needs to be small and lightweight for obvious reasons.

Do you carry a sharpening stone into the wild? What kind and why?

 

[Moccasinman]

for even long trips, a strop will maintain the edge until you return. if you have a razor edge, you don't abuse your knives, and you aren't out for a really long time, a strop w/ green paste will make the edge last for much longer than you think. if you have the hatchet, you dont really need a base for it either. just bring the leather and flatten a log to use for support.

 

[Guyon]

Not a bad idea. I have a couple of strops that I use for straight razors (as well as green paste), and a strop would be a very lightweight option.

I was looking at the waterstone from Gransfors Bruks. Comes with a course and fine side and doesn't require oil. Can't find a weight on it though.

May look on eBay for a strop. Thanks for the idea.

 

[akee]

A little diamond horn would work nicely. It hardly take up any space.

 

[Temper]

I would suggest the folding DMT keyring type. They weigh almost mothing. A coarse and fine would probably cover every base.

 

[abo4ster]

I have the DMT diamond stone too. Works good and easy to pack.

If you want really light and small, EZE-lap make a device smaller than a pen.

 

[phatch]

Where your highland has a convex grind, some trimmed down wet/dry sandpaper in a few different grits will do the job nicely. A bit of mouse pad or stiffish sleeping foam as the base under the paper would be good too.

Very light and compact

Phil

 

[TPU]

There's also the EZ-LAP diamond sharpener for about $15.00. They come with a leather carry case, are about 3 1/2" long by 5/16" diameter and fit in a knurreled brass handle. The brass handle is hollow (to accomodate the sharpener when stored), and internally threaded to screw the sharpener into. The hollow handle can also be used as a straw. This is a very popular sharpener, which many people carry for survival carry.

 

[Alberta Ed]

Get a double-sided DMT folding hone; I use the red/green one (regular/fine). Works on all steels, it's light, all you really need.

 

[OwenM]

I carry a butcher's steel, and sometimes a ceramic one that EdgePro sells.
They're fine for knives or hatchets, lightweight, and their shape lets them sit lengthwise alongside or between gear in the main packbag that would normally be dead space, so along with adding little weight, they take up "no" room.

 

[Junkyard]

Another vote for the DMT dia-fold

Jason

 

[REDDOG79]

EZE LAP makes a small diamond stone that is carried by walmart that i carry every day in my back pocket. It's a small piece of steel with diamonds glued to it. It seems to be replaced every year or so. It's nice to touch up the blade after use and i've taken dull blades back to razor sharp in ten minutes or so. Mine gets used a lot at work as for some reason most people carry a dull knife and no one seems to be able to sharpen one worth a damn. I believe i paid five bucks or so for it every time i have bought one. I've carried one in may back pocket for the last five years or so.

 

[rnpollard]

EZ Lap makes some small diamond hone that come on plastic handles http://www.woodtechtooling.com/Diamond_Sharpeners/ezelap.html

I had one of these come off the handle and instead of glueing it back on the handle I glued it onto a magnesium fire starter. It has rested in the hone pouch of my Randall #1 5" ever since and it works well on my small Sebbie and will do in a pinch for the #1.

 

[randallguy]

I agree with Alberta Ed that the double-sided DMT folding hone is a great choice I also have the red/green one (regular/fine).

 

[dfarmerknives]

I carry one fron Spyderco that is 2 sided. I do not know the name. I am looking seriously at the one from Fallkniven. David

 

[Barker45]

Anybody use the ceramic GATCO "dogbone" sharpener? It's small and 3 sided. At $5 it looks like a good buy.

I currently use a flat credit-card-sized DMT sharpener and waiting on an ordered DMT folder, red/fine.

 

[longbow50]

Here's another vote for the strop.

 

[jamesraykenney]

I carry one fron Spyderco that is 2 sided. I do not know the name. I am looking seriously at the one from Fallkniven. David

I have the small one from Fallkniven and love it.
The strange this is that is is not flat on either side...I is slightly concave when I viewed from the end.....
The ceramic side has a weird tecture to it that you can only feel when sharpining.
It realy seem to work well though!
One of the best investments in sharpening I have made, along with my Professional Model Edge Pro.
I am thinking about getting the larger size now.

 

[Quiet Storm]

A small ceramic rod will fit in almost every pocket and it works wonders as long as you don't let you blades get very dull. Add a little stropping compound (you can use a leather belt to strop the blade) to the mix and your set.

 

[uitlander]

In my little kits I carry the thin ez laps, but have to agree with TPU in choice of the big brass handled ez lap when out camping, I find it so easy to refresh an edge with a few carefull swipes when busy, using a "steeling" action. I like the sheath and belt carry, personally makes it less likely I will lose or misplace it. Also very sturdy construction.