Field carry knife sharpener

N

Ni9mm

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Oct 15, 2014
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5
First post..:)

I did a short search but then my add kicked in and I'm hoping for a quicker response. I'm looking for a field carry knife sharpening system or product. Lightweight, compact but useful.

I've volunteered to do some back country forest service work identifying invasive plant species , maintaining fire breaks among other things this winter in Florida.

Anyone have any suggestions ? Thanks and Hi all.
 
I am a big fan of the DMT double sided sharpeners in medium and fine(red/blue). They are lightweight and with the medium side you can remove steel quickly before going to a few swipes on the fine side. Also the medium grit will remove steel fast enough to rework a super dull edge or even work out a dent or chip. I have actully used mine to fix a dropped and broken tip so that it was usable again :)
 
Bill Siegle said:
I am a big fan of the DMT double sided sharpeners in medium and fine(red/blue). They are lightweight and with the medium side you can remove steel quickly before going to a few swipes on the fine side. Also the medium grit will remove steel fast enough to rework a super dull edge or even work out a dent or chip. I have actully used mine to fix a dropped and broken tip so that it was usable again :)
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+1.

Really all you need afield.
 
There are those, dmt credit cards, dmt small stones, just check out their website. If you can't notice I like DMT they make some really good quality products. You can also pick up a normal pocket stone. Or bring along some sandpaper and sharpen your knives in a stropping motion. Personally I would bring sandpaper and tape it to an old library card I have lying around, one "coarse" and one "fine" grit whatever I feel like that being. Nice lightweight and extremely portable. Some double sided tape will help in this.

For the most part sharpening is mainly about your skill as a sharpener so pick out something that will work for you and go with it. I love my DMT stones and they are great stones but I feel more comfortable with a cheap $6 norton economy stone and I use that over everything else I own and a $2 stick of compound applied on some paper and wrapped over a stone and get good results. And this is over some decently nice gear I use this setup over. We just gave you a good idea of what is out there in sharpening setups in the field that work pretty good for being portable and lightweight so take a look at them and if you like the idea of one but want it in a different media (say india or silicon carbide over diamond) or something like that ask us what else is out, or any other question and we try to help.

And enjoy your new field sharpening setup whatever it may be.
 
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I use the DMT duo fold as well red and blue works great in the field or at home. The ezlap diamond sharpeners are good too, the ones with the brass body to hold the diamond hone last pretty much forever.
 
cricketdave said:
...The ezlap diamond sharpeners are good too, the ones with the brass body to hold the diamond hone last pretty much forever.
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Concur 100 percent with Cricketdave. As a scout, I got an Eze-Lap diamond sharpener in '78, and still use it today. Tough and efficient. Survived my scouting days and then multiple years of use in the military. It is one of the few items that I took on every trip to the field or deployment. Highly recommended.

Now I'm intrigued by the DMT system, must look into it!
 
When in an urban jungle with scarce resources, the steps of your typical brownstone will do wonders for your blade...

 
I got my first ezlap in the 70s too, I still have that one too. For a quick field sharpener its hard to beat. The Duofold isn't as durable, the handles can get loose. Its still a great sharpener for home and field just not as durable as the brass tube ezlap.
 
cricketdave said:
I got my first ezlap in the 70s too, I still have that one too. For a quick field sharpener its hard to beat. The Duofold isn't as durable, the handles can get loose. Its still a great sharpener for home and field just not as durable as the brass tube ezlap.
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I've had and used these for 30 years now. DMT coarse and an Arkansas hard. Really need nothing else in the field or at home.

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Another vote here for the blue / red DMT Duofold. They call it coarse / fine, although the "coarse" side isn't really all that coarse compared to some others. This is a great combo for just about anything you'd need to do away from home. Can even be used on a small axe if needed. Finish up by stropping on your leather belt or even the seams on the legs of a pair of jeans and you've got a working edge that'll "work" very well for you. I keep one my truck, one at home, and I'm ordering a third to have in the warehouse at work for my knives and our paper cutter.
 
My EZ-LAP was made when they were still in CA.It's worn down to about a 1200 grit diamond. I've got some of their newer ones also now . But freehand sharpening occasionally is all you need.
 
Hewlett Flip Stick. Buck might be making them now. 3 grits, stores in the handle, light weight and most importantly very safe.

That and a Sharpmaker in the truck. All I need.

Good on you for volunteering.
 
Fred Rowe here makes an adjustable pull thru called the eru sharpener I believe. Not many are fond of carbide pull thru sharpeners, but his is by far the best. Adjust the angle to match your Bevel and go to town. Do a few sharpenings at the same angle and the edge turns out smooth, not all chewd up like other pull through ones.
 
also a double sided file with a good handle, like a Nicolson ax file. being able to slap an edge on a shovel or grub-hoe in short order is a real back-saver.
If you are alright with free-hand, the small spyderco pocket ceramic stones are not too bad either, but you won't go wrong with the DMT stuff.
 
+1 on the ERU. I've had mine (actually bought 2 one as a gift) for a couple of months
and think it,s the bomb for flat edges.Micro bevels are fun and addictive to play around with.
Very fast very accurate and very sharp.Some of my other sharpeners include various DMT,paper wheels, Tormek,
2x 72, 9" disk ect. and this thing is the only one I would be a 100% comfortable sharpening a $1000
Knife.Cpm, carbon,reg stainless all no problem.
 
+1 on all suggestions. The file is important for the heavier tools especially if you are going to be out for several days. The eru will be the fastest to sharpen the machetes and knives.
 
I travel for work quite a bit. I keep a DMT duo fold (fine/coarse) and a Spyderco double stuff ceramic stone in my shave kit.
 
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