Field axe sharpening

[18X]

Is that single or double sided

 

[garry3]

Its double sided. Does seem to offer a little protection for the careless. Not at all sure if its the best way to go but it works well for me.

 

[Square_peg]

I have started to move away from stones in the field.

I have one of those and I'll confess that it works pretty well. I have a few minor nitpicks. The bulge in the handle makes it difficult to get a knife blade down to the proper angle on the forward stroke. But that's not really a problem on axes. And there are more compact sharpening tools that can be kept in the pack for touch-ups on the trail. The credit card hones mentioned before are great for this. I carry a very well worn double-sided Norton round stone in my pack these days. It was 3/4" thick when I got it from my father 30-odd years ago. But after many years of use I've worn it down to just 1/4" thick. Now it's just right for occasional use on the trail.

3/4 thick! I do have to be careful handling such a thin stone near a sharp blade. Your Smith's diamond hone is surely safer.

 

[garry3]

Peg,
Your stone looks perfect.
I purchased that diamond on the go because I miss placed my stone. It is on the large size, but is lighter than my stone was. I have not seen the credit card type. I don't get out much. Sounds like they would be the cats meow.
I am probably 50yrs behind the times with sharpening systems. That is the first diamond I have tried. I thought it cut really fast. Maybe I need to check things out, maybe even try one of those Japanese water stones some day.

Like I said, old school.

 

[Square_peg]

I like old school.

 

[killa_concept]

I have not seen the credit card type. I don't get out much. Sounds like they would be the cats meow.

I have a pretty good assortment of sharpeners from ceramic rods, to japanese waterstones, to DMT bench stones with even a few old norton oil stones tossed into the mix.
Waterstones are a lot of hassle to prep and clean up after, but they give a great edge and insane polish. I mostly just use them for the kitchen and fine carving knives.

For a pocket system though, I find the DMT credit cards hard to beat. The most useful tools are the ones you have on you the majority of the time and these tend to be for me.

If we're talking axe sharpening, you do have to exercise some caution since there's no guard whatsoever. But since it's diamond and fairly flat, you're not going to be needing to use much pressure and the risk of cutting yourself is minimal:

The whole kit (325, 600, 1200) in the leather pouch I made for it:

And the pouch next to my wallet (note that I scuffed up one side of the pouch so it can double as a strop):