Fallkniven DC4 Quality

Trout Hound

Trout Hound

Joined
Sep 28, 2014
Messages
693
Howdy Y'all,

I'm very interested in the DC4, as I really like the concept and have heard great reviews. However, I have also heard a lot of mixed reports about recent quality; poor glue jobs causing separation or flex in the diamond plate, concave ceramic, etc.

Is it worth a roll of the dice to order one? My next choice would probably be something like a DMT 1200 credit card, or a 1x4" 1200 stone from DMT or Eze Lap, or similar. I'm not dealing with any super steels, BTW.

Thanks!
 
I posted in your other thread. I believe the glue problems were with the previous generation which also had a different ceramic. I've used mine a good bit with no glue problems. The ceramic is open cell I've heard it called and water soaks in. I also had to gently flatten it when I received it. The diamond side after breaking in is not as fine yet as a DMT fine but close to it. The ceramic side now that I have it broken in is between med and fine Spyderco. For the money I think it is a good buy. Cleans up well with BKF but due to the porous ceramic I use compressed air to dry that side.
 
I actually had to re-glue mine after the diamond plate separated from the ceramic. I had occasionally used Windex to clean the hone, and wondered if that had some negative effect on the glue holding it together (it separated immediately after I'd sprayed it with Windex). That being said, it wasn't a big deal to fix it. The mystery-glue that was previously on the hone cleaned up with acetone, after which I epoxied the two sides back together. It's as bulletproof as can be now.

The ceramic on mine isn't particularly porous at all. I've occasionally wondered how long it would take to dry out after cleaning it (usually with dish soap & water), but it's never held the moisture for long, IF it even holds any moisture at all. For what it's worth, I purchased mine maybe 5-6+ years ago, if I recall correctly.

Fallkniven rates the diamond grit as being 25µ, which is the same rating as DMT's 'Fine' hones. That being said, my impression is along the same lines as mentioned above (ecallahan), in that it seems a little coarser in use; something between DMT's Coarse and Fine.

I don't think there's much reason to worry about trying one out, if you're interested in it. So far as I know, Fallkniven is a pretty reputable company, and if any problems do come up, I'd think their warranty should cover it. I've liked using mine, in spite of the issue with the glue.


David
 
DMT fold up sharpeners with coarse and fine are best for field touch-ups.Buy one of those,and forget Dc4.
 
I got the Fallkniven DC-4 as I heard many good things about it. I do have a boatload of other sharpening devices to include Arkansas stones, diamond, ceramics, strops, V-sticks, etc. from which to choose. I now carry the DC-4 in my pocket as my EDC sharpener. I bought a couple more. One to keep back as a spare and the other to gift to my knife-nut buddy at work. He likes it as well and has zero issues with his as far as I know. I have not seen nor heard of any coming unglued.
 
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