Favorite field sharpener?

MicroAlign

MicroAlign

Gold Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2004
Messages
490
I have my usual array of bench stones in which I get my shaping down and do a fine polish, but taking that equipment with me on a hiking trip just isn't practical. You hope you don't get a nasty nick in your edge on the trip, but if you do you need a reasonably course enough stone to shape your edge along with a fine stone to get some decent hair flinging. My question is, what do you all recommend for a very portable combo stone? I was looking at Spyderco's Double Stuff 303MF. I like their ceramic stones, but of course they don't have a very course stone selection.
 
I have these two for theoretical field sharpening.

I say theoretical because I usually end up throwing my box that contains my 204, Militec-1, Remoil, an old benchstone, leather strop, metal polish, and one of each below along with a few other things I've forgotten in whatever bag I'm taking with me.

DMT Diamond - Blue/Coarse

Lansky Triangle dog bone

I have about 6 of these (Lansky's) scattered all around my life. Truck, Jeep, office, aforementioned box, friends, elsewhere?!? They have a grit close to the 204's dark stone and are great for touchups. They can't be beat for $2.00. You can set the blade angle just by setting the blade the two points on the end cap, it is roughly a 15deg/30deg included angle.
 
I went on a recent caribou hunt where I had to carry everything with me to the kill area. This was about 2-3 miles from our tent and plane. I simplily brought a single stone from my Sharpmaker. (the course one) Great for touching up the blade. Light and I could use it in a pinch to really tear of metal if I thought I had to.

I plan on doing the same next year on a sheep hunt much further away from any transportation. My Dozier didn't need any touch up at all during the trip (1.5 caribou cleaned), but I did use it to realign the edge on my Griptilian.

Bruce
 
In my pack I bring a Double Sided DiaFold Diamond Whetsone (Fine Grit and Coarse Grit). The fine grit will put a very effective edge on a blade, though not as fine as I do at home. The coarse grit will restore a damaged edge or allow me to work on a companion's dull POS. When I am away from my pack I carry a pen-style shirt pocket diamond hone. Sometimes I carry a small sheet of 400 grit Wet of Dry Paper in my wallet.
 
Normally all I need is my Razor Edge folding steel but I always carry a small soft Arkansas stone just in case. I used to carry a small diamond steel (in the brass case) but found my current kit just as good and less weight.
 
I usually carry a red DMT pocket folding diamond stone with me, and a ceramic Gatco tri-hone. Covers most of my sharpening needs. I'm looking to make a portable strop for my convexed knives to maintain the convex edge, but haven't got around to it yet. Kinda nippy in the ole garage right now...:eek:
 
DMT Diafold Red n Green has been my field sharpener for the last 10 years. Well worth the money.

Dayuhan
 
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