Field sharpening .......?

schmittie

schmittie

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Nov 28, 2009
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Since its been pretty quiet around here, I have been wondering what you fellow FB fans use for sharpening your convex grinds when away from home. Of course, I have plenty of materials at home- sand paper and double sided strop. But what about on the go? Do you have a compact kit you take with camping, hiking, etc? I've been considering making a mini 'field strop' out of some scrap material, something small enough for pocket carry.

What's your plan of action or do you just sharpen before and after a trip/adventure?
 
I usually just use some 600 grit sandpaper before i go out, and if i need to, strop on the leather sheath. it doesnt work as good as a legit strop, but its better than nothing!
 
I just picked this up today, I will get back to you an how well it performs. It has a foam cushion that is a little stiffer than a mousepad.

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Buy a 1x 30 belt in 400 grit, roll it up and put it in your pack. It takes up very little space and when you need to do a light sharpening just loop the belt over a tree branch and hold the other end with your free hand an sharpen away.

Works great and is very light and compact. Finish with a strop on your belt and you'll be able to maintain a shaving edge your whole trip barring bad edge damage.
 
KalEl nailed it. If you want to be hard core you can put some green compound on the back side of your belt in one spot and hit it with that. After you use your belt I like to run it lightly on my jeans for that finishing touch. I can get it scary sharp that way.
 
KalEl said:
Buy a 1x 30 belt in 400 grit, roll it up and put it in your pack. It takes up very little space and when you need to do a light sharpening just loop the belt over a tree branch and hold the other end with your free hand an sharpen away.

Works great and is very light and compact. Finish with a strop on your belt and you'll be able to maintain a shaving edge your whole trip barring bad edge damage.
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Man great tips, like the compound idea as well J.
 
I glued a couple pieces of leather on an Altoids box, and compounded those. The box itself serves to carry small pieces of compound stick and whatever other small things (magnesium, cotton balls, etc..) I choose to put in it.

I suppose I should buy an Otter box :p Would prob'ly make more sense :D
 
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A piece of cardboard makes just about the best strop you can get. A screwdriver blade makes a great steel. Most of the times one of those will solve the problem.
 
Quick update:
I just used that sander today and I have to say, for being a broke kid, this is one of the best investments I have made for sharpening in a while. I just put a hair-popping edge on my BK14 in just a few minutes. I'm taking this in my pack from now on!!
 
Fiddleback said:
A piece of cardboard makes just about the best strop you can get. A screwdriver blade makes a great steel. Most of the times one of those will solve the problem.
Click to expand...


Ok, wait a minute. I know I'm tired, just got off work and it's 1am, but did you say CARDBOARD?!? I don't really know what to say....
 
schmittie said:
Ok, wait a minute. I know I'm tired, just got off work and it's 1am, but did you say CARDBOARD?!? I don't really know what to say....
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There are silicates in cardboard just as there are in polishing compounds, thought never tried this technique myself..!
 
I really like this idea. I have other field strops that work well but I liked the ability to roll this up. I just bought a pack of 3 but went with 600 grit. Thanks for the great tip!!


KalEl said:
Buy a 1x 30 belt in 400 grit, roll it up and put it in your pack. It takes up very little space and when you need to do a light sharpening just loop the belt over a tree branch and hold the other end with your free hand an sharpen away.

Works great and is very light and compact. Finish with a strop on your belt and you'll be able to maintain a shaving edge your whole trip barring bad edge damage.
Click to expand...
 
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