Field expedient sharpening of convex edges... Whats your kit?

S

skippz

Joined
Feb 12, 2006
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76
Recently I have been liking convex edges more and more... the past few blades I've bought have been convexed as well as me convexing some of my old V-grings...
Anyway I purchased a kit that came in an otterbox for sharpening convex edges from knivesshipfree.com... While I use it often at home to sharpen my blades its still a bit bulky when traveling light in the woods while hunting... especially when u consider all I packed for my v-grinds was a DMT diafold (green & red)... With this I can take a pretty beaten edge and get it to shave....
So what do you guys use in the field to sharpen your convex edges... and I don't mean just to touch them up, I mean to take it from a fairly dull edge back to a good utility edge...
THanks guys I always appreciate the input, as I actually put your advice to use :)
 
the only thing i would take is a 400 grit jflex belt and some rouge to put on the backside of the belt to use as a strop. the belt can be looped over a branch or your foot so you can work up a burr or strop.
 
You can sharpen your convex edges or zero grind convex blades on a stone as well, although this is a lot harder and I'm just beginning to learn it.
 
Use a high quality knife, properly sharpened on the bench, and you will find little or no necessity for field sharpening. Id you're not comfortable with that, carry a spare knife.
 
Ben Dover said:
Use a high quality knife, properly sharpened on the bench, and you will find little or no necessity for field sharpening. Id you're not comfortable with that, carry a spare knife.
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What types would you recommend???

Also when working a burr up on a strop do u do edge trailing or edge leading???
 
skippz said:
What types would you recommend???

Also when working a burr up on a strop do u do edge trailing or edge leading???
Click to expand...

Use only edge trailing on a strop.

I never raise a burr of any kind on a convex edge, not even with the belt sander.
 
If I actually have to field sharpen my knife...I just use a coarse/fine DMT Diafold and sharpen it like a regular V grind. Much of the advantage of the convex is the geometry of the shoulder behind the cutting edge anyhow, and I'll worry about restoring a true convex when I'm not in the middle of needing to just cut some stuff. :)
 
Those work great--specifically look for fingernail polishing boards. :thumbup:
 
I have the KSF field sharpening kit that comes in the otterbox. Dual sided leather strop with black and green compound and an assortment of sand paper. Works great.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
If I actually have to field sharpen my knife...I just use a coarse/fine DMT Diafold and sharpen it like a regular V grind. Much of the advantage of the convex is the geometry of the shoulder behind the cutting edge anyhow, and I'll worry about restoring a true convex when I'm not in the middle of needing to just cut some stuff. :)
Click to expand...

what he said basicaly. in my case i use a fallkniven DC4 stone, mostly the ceramic side.
i've yet to feel a difference in cutting performance/behavior after applying a microbevel with the ceramic side. and if you touchup early and frequently you'll probably never need the diamond side.
 
+1 for Mike Mike. I just "discovered" this about a week ago. It actually works pretty well.
 
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