Field Sharpening Kit

[redmech]

Thought I would post a small field sharpening kit that I have put together. Iz Turley posted a video a couple years back how to put one of these together. I just copied him, have used it a couple of days and it works very well. It consists of an Altoids can, a chunk of leather epoxied to the bottom, small chunk of leather stropping compound, and a small stack of sand paper. I have 220, 400, 600, 1000, 1500, and 2000 grit paper. To use just hold the paper tight across the leather and apply about the same amount of pressure you would use like you would sharpening a convex blade with sand paper and a mouse pad. Or just use the leather with stropping compound on.

In the first picture my sharpening kit is in the compass pouch to the right on my bag.










This seems to be a pretty good light compact sharpening kit that works well to maintain your edge. Iz has got a really good setup here, and I now understand why it so well liked. I don't know if this had been shown here, so I thought I would post it.

 

[L4NE4]

That is awesome. I am going to make one of these now, thanks for posting this!

 

[BushOgre]

I am lazy and just go with a Smith's PP1 Pocket Pal. It fits on my locking carabiner with a few other handy items.

 

[redmech]

Here is a link to Iz's video that I learned how to make one of these off of,

[video=youtube;2j0wNu4BpYg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j0wNu4BpYg[/video]

 

[thatotherguy]

thanks, looks like a great kit!
Too heavy for backpacking though...

 

[redmech]

Kit weighs 2.6 ounces not counting the surplus compass pouch. I just weighed it on my electronic scales. There are lighter and heavier sharpening systems out there for sure.

 

[Battle Creek Knives]

nice !!!

I used to just carry a piece of 220 in my tin, works well for a toothy edge and would use pants to strop..

then again sandstone, river rock etc, stropped on bark is completely weightless

 

[CaptinRedBeard]

This looks really cool. I think I might have to put one together.

 

[paperairplane]

I like the idea, but don't think I am going to burn my outside time working up to 2000.

 

[DJG097]

Looks like a useful and well put together kit to me.

 

[edctac]

Yeah, that is sweet. I need one for sure Now I just gota eat some altoids

 

[nate1714]

Looks decent for smaller blades what about larger ones or axe? Thanks for sharing

 

[Murphnuge]

You're missing some small fine stones. PM your addy and I'll get ya some in the post asap.

 

[paperairplane]

Field kit for an ax I would use a file or a Lansky puck.

 

[whereismyclock]

Clever. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Skystorm]

I think for a quick kit I might just pick one grit, I have about 60 trillion altoid tins around here I think I will go play with one this week now.

 

[redmech]

You're missing some small fine stones. PM your addy and I'll get ya some in the post asap.

Thanks for the offer, I haven't upgraded to gold yet to have the pm option. I do appreciate the offer very much. I plan on going gold here in a few weeks, ( going through a job change currently).

This kit is geared towards sharpening a convex edge and maintaining the edge. As far as using it to sharpen a BK9 from dull to razor sharp, it would take a while (but possible, just not practical). While being a knifeaholic, I normally don't let my blades get real dull. I did use this kit on a friends spyderco Aus8 folder that was fairly dull and brought it back to almost scary sharp. It will make it scary sharp, i just ran out of time, on it i started with 600 grit and worked to 1500 grit. The sand paper system is a proven system this is just a small field kit which does have its limitations.

Thanks for the positive feedback guys,

 

[SaturatedShadow]

Nice kit. I use the sandpaper method myself, and it works.

 

[tradewater]

Pretty nifty little kit. Stropping knives and sipping coffee makes a good campfire even better. If it's not too dull you can strop it on your hand (a la Jerry Fisk) as well. I carry a strip of old denim loaded with black compound and a piece of 400 wet/dry. Just lay it on a boat paddle or whatever.

 

[redmech]

Pretty nifty little kit. Stropping knives and sipping coffee makes a good campfire even better. If it's not too dull you can strop it on your hand (a la Jerry Fisk) as well. I carry a strip of old denim loaded with black compound and a piece of 400 wet/dry. Just lay it on a boat paddle or whatever.

Couldn't agree with you more.