Gatco Diamond Tri-Seps any good ??

[Bagheera]

Hi,

I just discovered at Triple Aught Design that one can now buy the Tri-Seps Ceramic "keychain/pocket" sharpener in an upgraded Diamond coated version for only $15.95. The original ceramic version cost $6.95.

I'm looking to get some of these sharpeners for our Scouting club and would like to know if anybody has used the Diamond coated Tri-Seps and what he/she thinks about it and if it's worth the extra $9 compared to the ceramic version?

Also is the diamond one just as big as the ceramic one because the picture of it looks a little bit odd, it looks smaller.

What grid diamond did they use?

And are there alternatives that would cost also about (not really more) then the $15.95 for the Gatco Tri-Seps ?

Keep in mind that it would be very nice if we could also "touch up" the odd axe or so on the sharpener we chose.

Best scouting wishes from Holland,

Bagheera

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[Esav Benyamin]

I have both the diamond and the ceramic. They are exactly the same size. The diamond is not really heavy-duty, but I've cleaned up some bad nicks with it.

I like my Sharpmaker, and I find the ceramic tri-seps is a kind of small portable version of it; the diamond is too coarse for maintenance of a good edge.

You probably could clean up the edge on an axe with it, but I think a DMT hone would do it better, for not much more bulk to carry.

 

[Bagheera]

Esav,

Thanks for the info, you say about the diamond Tri-Seps "it's not real heavy Duty"
does that mean the diamond dust get's "rubbed off" quiet easily?

Also the DMT hones do you mean the butterfly gripped dmt hones? or are they by another company.
I saw one that had 2 differemt grids and the grip moved like a butterfly knife.
The diamond hones had "holes" in them filled by the plastic that held them.

Best scouting wishes from Holland,

Bagheera

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[Esav Benyamin]

The shiny original appearance wears off pretty quick, but the diamond effect lasts. It just isn't very coarse. I don't know what grit it approximates.

After all, it is a small handheld tool. The rubbery plastic ends are slanted to help determine a consistent angle, but it still isn't as precise as the Sharpmaker type of sticks.

The double-sided diamond hones, the butterfly handles, all look good. You can also get a flat rectangular diamond hone in a box; a little less convenient, but a great way to reprofile.

In the field? Take a diamond and a ceramic tri-seps for rubbing out nicks and maintaining an edge. You know they'll work best if you don't let the edge go terminally dull first. Personally, I like a small steel for this.

 

[jeffj]

Bagheera,

Have you looked at the new 4" ceramic sharpeners at Spyderco. These are the same as the 8" ProFile cermaic stones, but in a 4" field size. They are a bit pricey, but you can probably find an online dealer that will sell you the fine/course set for around $20.

Jeff Jenness

 

[Nakano 2]

The Tri Seps is versatile in that it can offer a surface for plain/ serrated/ recurve blades. It also has a groove for fish hooks and darts(?). But it is a bit small and its ceramic surface seems to get a buildup quite quick. Both Eze Lap and DMT now offers a two sided "Butterfly" folding type flat sharpener. A different grit on each side. There are a few combos for every taste. They are approximately 4x the cost of the Tri Seps model and just as lightweight/ compact. I use my DMT "Butterfly" tapered rod model when I need a quick touch up while in the field or when travelling lite. The relatively smaller actual useable surface on the Tri Seps just won' t cut it.

Nakano

 

[Bagheera]

Esav, Jeff, Nakano,

Thanks for the info that's what I'm looking for.
We in Holland don't easily go out and buy these sharpeners without having heard some peoples experiences with them becuase they are just to expensive over here.
Just multiply the price you guys pay in the US by 3 and think about that price in US Dollars ! I guess you wouldn't easily buy it then would you?

I'm lucky to work for an US company that is based in San Diego have some very good friends working for it who can receive "stuff for Piet" as everybody calls it in our company in San Diego AND having a whole lot of Blade Forums friends

who offer advice and even assistence

.

This way our Scouting group can afford "stuff" that we could never afford buying it in Holland.

Nakano, you write that you use the "butterfly" tapered rod for touching up the blade but that must also have a very small diamond surface? so I could use the Tri-Seps, even the "rounded" edge for that also.

I'll do some searching to find the "best" price on DMT's, it's a pitty that WalMart doesn't have a online store

Best Scouting wishes from Holland,

Bagheera

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