Field Sharpening Convex Blades

B

bearcut

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Sep 3, 2006
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Sorry if this is a re-run thread, the search feature isn't working, as you know.

Anyway, I have a Fallkniven TK2 with a convex blade, [Duh].
I have read most of the links about sharpening convex blades at home using mousepads, sandpaper, strops/compounds ect. They all make sense.
But, how do you sharpen convex blades out in the field?

I always carry a small DMT stone with my knifes. Can I use it on the TK2 and keep the convex, or will it bevel the edge and, poof :eek:, my convex is gone?

What do you guys use out in the field to sharpen your Fallkniven/Barkies?

Thanks for your help. Maybe someone has a link to a thread concerning this.
 
If you are going into the field for a month I might start to worry about this, but if you are only going to go out for a week (and maybe touch up your edge once or twice) I would just use your DMT and pretty the edge on a mousepad when you get home. If you are going to be gone a long time (or you are obsessive-compulsive) carry some Wet or Dry sandpaper with you. I would put the paper in a checkbook cover (I usually carry my checkbook, but even if you don't, still bring along a cover for your sandpaper). Cut sandpaper from 120 to 1500 grit into strips the size of checks. Put them in the cover. To use them form a stack of the paper with your intended grit size on the top. I would also put the stack on top of the checkbook cover. Now strop using the equivalent of the mousepad method. Shuffle the stack to work from coarser to finer grit as required. Start with something like the 600 grit if you are only lightly touching up a blade. Start with 220 grit if you really thrashed it somehow. Start with 120 grit if you thrashed the edge on rock or metal.
 
In addition to the excellent advice given above, you could also make a mini-strop to take into the field. Take a piece of decent-quality 1/2" plywood, perhaps the size of your checkbook. Use some spray contact cement to glue a piece of leather to either side of it (get scrap leather from your local Tandy leather, then charge the leather with green polishing compound on one side, and black on the other. Combine that with your sheets of sandpaper from above and some practice, and you can get your knives shaving sharp in the field if you so desire.
 
Well, I havent done this yet, still trying to find some very thick leather leather, but I plan on making a small paddle strop with leather on one side loaded with honing compound, and a piece of leather on the other with sand paper glued to it.
 
Do you wear a leather belt? I just use the backside of my belt when in the field.

Also you can use your jeans. I just a few swipes on my thigh after each use.
 
Cut a piece of cardboard from a box, about the size of a playing card. On one side put some compound (Bark River sells a packet of two polishing compounds - use the black one, as it cuts a bit more). Put the cardboard into a zip-lock sandwich bag. Off you go!:thumbup:

Get the compound kit here
or here.
 
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