CPM3V in bushcraft knives for multi-day trips? Field sharpening CPM3V?

M

mountainranger

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Mar 25, 2010
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How do you feel about the use of CPM3V in a bushcraft knife you may take into the field for multi-day trips, as opposed to just day trips? While the CPM3V and similar blade steels will hold an edge much longer than many other common blade steels, do you think it will be too hard to sharpen in the field?

Up to now I've only used Sandvik 12c27 and A2 convex knives in the field, and they are easy to sharpen with high grit sandpaper and a bit of soft backpacking such as a thin foam back of a backpack.

Let's define "bushcraft" as working wood for camp needs (building shelter, making fire, etc.) as well as being able to handle small to small-medium game.
 
Ive found high wear resistant steels to be very easy to maintain in the field. I just give it a strop at the end of the day and as long as you don't have any edge damage the shaving edge stays for a really long time without an actual sharpening. Ive never actually had to do a full sharpening while on a trip. I just get the edge nasty sharp before I go and give it a good strop on my leather belt when it starts to lose the shaving edge.

If you take good care of your knives and don't roll or chip your edges you can keep a knife sharp with this method for a LONG time. Ive gone a few months without sharpening a knife (Rat Daddy LE made of 52100/ sr101) and it still had a shaving edge, just barley though.

Ive also gone 3-4 weeks of EDC with a s30V para2 and kept it shaving just by stropping on my belt.
 
Thanks - do you think high quality high grit sandpaper with a bit of foam backing would be enough to maintain a convex CPM3V blade in the field?
 
Definitively. I think alot of people over sharpen their knives. Ive found that unless the edge has actual damage or has been used to the point that it is very dull, a full sharpening is rarely necessary. You can keep a knife going a long, long time just by giving it a regular strop and avoiding edge damage. As soon as the shaving edge is gone, bring it back with the sand paper strop and you should have a knife that will cut for a very long time :thumbup:
 
Thanks KalEl, Mike Stewart of BRKT over at Knifeforums confirmed the same. Which grits and types of sandpaper would you recommend for CPM3V, A-2 and 12c27?
 
I have a Koster EDC and a Bushmaster inbound , both CPM3V. I always carry a diamond stone ( DC4 or a DMT) with me , so no worries at all. I probably still could touch it up with my Gransfors ceramic axe stone if I had to.
I agree with Kalel that a lot of people over-sharpen ( I've been guilty of it also) , and a knife with less of a hair shaving edge can still do basically most woods tasks.
 
Like many steels, if you don’t let the edge get too dull, you can simply strop, or hit the edge with a ceramic stick every day and you will be good to go for weeks. You should never have to sharpen a knife in the field if you maintain the edge.
 
I like ceramic for touch ups, and don't find CPM 3V any harder to sharpen than O1 or 52100. It really holds a good edge, and it's toughness is perfect for your bushcrafting needs. One of my favorite steels for this type of work, enjoy yours!
 
There are credit card sized diamond stones availible, USAKnifemaker carries them the last time I looked.
 
I carry a set of DMT cards in my wallet, and I've not had any trouble sharpening 3V with those. If you're worried about needing a full sharpening as opposed to stropping they can be a good solution.
 
when i bought my fallkniven F1 (4 years ago now) I bought it from a dealer in a market. He was selling small diamond sharpeners that were adhesive on the back and fit right on the kydex sheath of the F1. It's been stuck to the sheath ever since, and it's been all i've ever needed for trips up to 3 weeks in the backcountry. if the other steels mentioned are comparable to VG-10 for ease of maintenance, then i would recommend something like this if you can get your hands on one.
 
A 1200 grit diamond sharpener works fine for the field .Buit you won't have to sharpen the CPM 3V very often !!
 
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