First good sharpener - Fallkniven DC4 vs DMT Diafold Coarse/fine

d2eux

d2eux

Joined
Oct 10, 2010
Messages
289
Hey all,

Received my first high quality 1095 CS blade and was wondering what would be a good sharpener to get for a beginner like me (at sharpening).

Basically looking for one that would be all around good to use at home and in the field.

Current options are:

DC4 Diamond/ceramic sharpening stone by fallkniven

or

DMT Fine/coarse diafold diamond grit sharpener.

If anyone has better suggestions by all means please pitch them here. all comments welcome. Thanks!
 
Spyderco Sharpmaker.
This is good training wheels, and will help you get co-ordination, steady hand, and muscle memory needed for sharpening.
You can free hand on the tri-angle rods easily, and they work better on machetes, axes and large blades than the DC4.
 
When it comes to home sharpening I agree with tabeeb762. Spyderco sharpmaker does cost more, but it's simple to use and good if you're not at the stage where you can easily go around sharpening freehand.
For field use the DC4 does add more versatility. If it's just a touch up you can also take a look at the Lansky sharpening rod since it works quite well if some ppl are to be trusted.

As easy as 1095 is to sharpen do practice on sth else first. I'm not the best in freehand and it's a skill that I'm trying to improve, but after looking what the difference is from what I did freehand and with the Sharpmaker, it was a good investment.
 
I would probably go with the DC4 if you want something that would make a good dedicated field sharpener.
 
+1 on the DC4.

there will be a learning curve as you practise freehand sharpening, but once you have it down pat, you'll be able to sharpen any knife.

the ceramic side of the fallkniven stones (i have a '3) is simply awesome for touching up an edge.
 
d2eux said:
DC4 Diamond/ceramic sharpening stone by fallkniven

or

DMT Fine/coarse diafold diamond grit sharpener.
Click to expand...

I own them both. I have better feelings on the DMT but for you it could be the opposite.
If i have to carry sharpening tools, for a several days trip for instance, i prefer to take the C/F and the XF/XXF DMT diafolds (144 grams) instead of the DC4 (104 grams).

Both will work anyway.

dantzk.
 
DC4 hands down. I've been freehand sharpening knives since I was 5 or 6 and this little sharpener has become my favorite sharpening tool in the field.

Carry along one of those white vinyl erasers from the office supply store to clean the ceramic and diamond sides with. Works great.

At home I finish up with a diamond compound loaded strop.
 
d2eux said:
do you guys think either of these could be used to re-profile a tip?
Click to expand...

You mean say, if someone were to break the tip off their knife, could either of these be used to grind a new point on the knife?

They probably both could, although I imagine the DC4's diamond surface would make shorter work of it.
 
Keep in mind that the Sharpmaker kit is very good for keeping a blade sharp. If you are sharpening a dull blade or re-profiling a blade it will take a very long time. You can buy diamond sticks separately but they are expensive and still not very fast.
 
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