getting a sharpmaker & wondering what i need in addition...

S

SeeTOPh

Joined
Jul 18, 2016
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recently i began searching for a folder as it was in my "recomended gear list" for an 8 month trip to africa in service of drs without borders. this has totally opened me to the world of knives and i can easily say ive caught the knife bug and so im just getting my collection started. im figuring out what i like, what ill use, what i NEED, my grails, etc...

so far my decent knives are a Medford Micro Praetorian (D2 blade), Microtech LUDT (m390), and a Freeman Outdoor gear 451 fixed (cpm35svn). Ive got some beater blades as well cause theres a lot of cheap stuff out there that i like too. i dont know if its weird but screw it, i like what i like. An Kershaw cqc-1k (8Cr14MoV), a RAT 2 (AUS-8), and a SanRemu (8Cr14MoV). Yesterday I actually won a blade from Eos Cases. They are known for their minimalist wallets, one of which i own and like very much actually. Theyve made one knife and apparently it was well liked. It was called the Orca and it was made from 154. Theyre currently making another flipper, on bearings as well, called the squid from 35svn and its pre-soldout and about to start shipping i think. I actually won their next knife. a thumbstud, called the surgeon. Theres no specs out but he said the blade is around 3.7" and made from carpenters XHP. Handles are titanium on both sides, with all titanium hardware and clip. i dont know the weight. heres a pictures. he said its the "Joker Edition".


the reason i say all this is because im purchasing a sharpmaker before i head over there and im wondering what else in addition to that should i purchase to keep my knives sharp and in good working order? i wont need a mirror polish on them but i would like to keep them pretty sharp as there is a small chance one of them could be forced into emergency service and id like to know theyll be able to perform. Ive read that the D2 and m390 even more so can be really tough to get a razor sharp edge on, so what else would i need on top of the what comes in a sharpmaker to get the edge im looking for on my blades? strop, pastes, pads, etc... when i get back i plan on investing in a wicked edge but until then ill have to make do with more portable things... i guess thats it guys. im gonna say thank you ahead of time as any time ive something before in here ive always gotten great answers from a bunch of really helpful people. and if anyone has any opinions on my free prize by all means go ahead or if you have any experience with EOS folders then chime in as well. interested to hear what yall have to say.
 
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I wish you well with the Dr.s Without Borders. I think that is a great organization.

To answer your question: I'd suggest the CBN rods for more aggressive sharpening. Also, some way to clean the rods: Comet, Barkeeper's Friend, etc..
 
Good on you for doing a turn with Drs. without Borders. :thumbup:

I second wvdavidr on the CBN (or diamond) rods. I am a long time Sharpmaker user and fan and recently acquired the CBN rods. I really like them---they can get you there in a hurry when you need to set a bevel or do some serious work. I wish Sal would come out with an "in between" rod to narrow the gap between the CBN/ diamond rods and the brown medium rods, but in the meantime, you can set a bevel, do some edge repair, or address a seriously dull edge with the CBN/diamond rods, and actually get a decent "working edge" with them (as long as you strop or otherwise deburr afterwards). If you then spend a little time with the medium rods, you can get a perfectly serviceable sharp edge, which will be a bit toothy and may actually suit your purposes quite well.

As for keeping the rods clean, Barkeeper's Friend is indeed the gold standard for cleaning the ceramic rods. For the CBN or diamond, a quick scrub with an old toothbrush, using water and a bit of dish soap, will do the trick. On the ceramics, though, a simple eraser will keep them clean for quite a while till you finally need to give them a thorough Barkeeper's Friend treatment. I've had especially good luck with the "latex free" variety---a 3-pack is easily found and is cheap at any big box office supply store.

Good luck and safe travels.

Andrew
 
AFAustin said:
Good on you for doing a turn with Drs. without Borders. :thumbup:

I second wvdavidr on the CBN (or diamond) rods. I am a long time Sharpmaker user and fan and recently acquired the CBN rods. I really like them---they can get you there in a hurry when you need to set a bevel or do some serious work. I wish Sal would come out with an "in between" rod to narrow the gap between the CBN/ diamond rods and the brown medium rods, but in the meantime, you can set a bevel, do some edge repair, or address a seriously dull edge with the CBN/diamond rods, and actually get a decent "working edge" with them (as long as you strop or otherwise deburr afterwards). If you then spend a little time with the medium rods, you can get a perfectly serviceable sharp edge, which will be a bit toothy and may actually suit your purposes quite well.

As for keeping the rods clean, Barkeeper's Friend is indeed the gold standard for cleaning the ceramic rods. For the CBN or diamond, a quick scrub with an old toothbrush, using water and a bit of dish soap, will do the trick. On the ceramics, though, a simple eraser will keep them clean for quite a while till you finally need to give them a thorough Barkeeper's Friend treatment. I've had especially good luck with the "latex free" variety---a 3-pack is easily found and is cheap at any big box office supply store.

Good luck and safe travels.

Andrew
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so then as far as stropping goes, what are my best bets? brands, types, best materials, etc... i know i could look it up, but i might as well ask in here anyways since i started the thread and id get better advice from you guys
 
You'll get a million different recommendations as to strops. I have a set of beautiful traditional leather-on-wood strops, but what I find most effective, and what I use 90% of the time, are simple denim-on-wood strops. I made these by gluing a single layer of denim from old jeans to the larger size paint stick strops that they give away at Home Depot, which I shorten a bit. One has Ryobi "H" compound applied, one has Mother's Mag, and one has Bark River green. My favorite is the Ryobi "H" one, and I could easily get by with using only it. The Ryobi "H" is discontinued but is still available on the big auction site and maybe some other places as well.

Besides being the most effective strops, IMHO, they are also very inexpensive (all you're likely paying for is the compound and a bit of glue), and very compact and lightweight---good for travel. Mine measure 13.5" x 1.5" and weigh 1.4 oz. each.

Andrew

7X35qNbl.jpg
 
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If you're mostly doing maintenance sharpening with the SharpMaker, you probably don't need a strop. Over the years I've gone back and forth a bit on strops. They work. They can also sometimes be a source of problems (rounded over bevels, etc). At the moment I'm not stropping at all. My SharpMaker seems to work great with no stropping.

The key is to deburr on the stones, and then do lighter and lighter back and forth passes over the SharpMaker rods to finish. I get incredibly sharp edges this way, and I stop at the medium stones almost every time now.

Brian.
 
I agree with bgentry about the strops. If you anticipate damage to a knife you may want to pick up the CBN rods or some sandpaper to wrap around the rods to allow for a more coarse medium to assist in repairing damage or to deal with an extremely dull blade or harder steels. The Sharpmaker learning curve is rather fast but you may want to use it for awhile before you leave to get the "hang" of it. I wish you the best in your African trip.
 
CBN rods are a 'must have' for the Sharpmaker for restoring a dulled edge or repairing or reprofiling.

I have the UF rods but rarely use them. I just have no need for that level of refinement. Indeed, the CBN and Medium rods are all I need for 90% of my sharpening. That and a leather strop.

I'd get (or make) leather strops before getting the UF rods.
 
Safe travels and good for you on the Dr's w/o borders work.

I don't know what areas in Africa you are planning to go. You might consider stainless if you are going to be in a rain swamped area. I know there are deserts too... and everything in between.

When I went to the Philippines, I sweat 24 hours/day (no AC in many of the places I stayed). Between sweat, the rain, or some swimming in the sea, I went with something stainless. I also prioritized a multi-tool with scissors (for cutting bandages and tape). A multi-tool always comes in handy for me when traveling; can-opener, bottle opener, needle nose, etc. I brought my LM Juice, and my old SOG Paratool as backup.

You also have to consider:

Possibility of Airport luggage handlers or security taking away the knife (whether they are supposed to or not)
Possibility of luggage handlers stealing the knife.
Knife laws in that country.
Possibility of someone stealing the knife at the job site or accommodations.
Possibility of damage to the knife during transport or during use.
Possibility of losing the knife by accident.

Personally, I would suggest something that is less expensive (and, of course, legal in your host country)... especially for your purposes. Maybe put the money into other things on the suggested list.

I might even suggest looking into the LM Raptor: http://www.leatherman.com/raptor-51.html#start=8
51-raptor.jpg


I don't know if you will have luxurious accommodations or not, but when I go to the Philippines, because I can stay anywhere from a luxury hotel to a 100 year old hut, as well as be in a city and the next day be on a secluded island in the middle of the sea, I usually have (off the top of my head):

Fannypack which has both a belt and an additional belt loop and lockable zippered enclosures (to help thwart pick pockets who cut packs/backpack straps)
Backpack (size depends on what you will be using it for)
Small solar charging kit w/ backup battery (I use the Goal Zero Guide 10 Plus kit with Eneloop batteries; built in flashlight)
Multitool
Infection fighting medication (I talk to my doctor about what they suggest)
First Aid kit
Check with CDC about potential health risks in the areas I am traveling
Cell phone that is compatible with host country SIM cards and internet radio bands
Map and compass (phone plus GPS is good; you can download offline maps in Google Maps now too)

... and of course when I get there I load up on the water bottles and mosquito repellent.

Charging my cell phone on an island off of Shark Fin Bay in the Philippines. The island accommodations only had electricity 4 hours per day, my cell phone worked for calls and internet:
IMG_1239_zps5890ac01.jpg

20120821_115309.jpg
 
Scott321 said:
Safe travels and good for you on the Dr's w/o borders work.

I don't know what areas in Africa you are planning to go. You might consider stainless if you are going to be in a rain swamped area. I know there are deserts too... and everything in between.

When I went to the Philippines, I sweat 24 hours/day (no AC in many of the places I stayed). Between sweat, the rain, or some swimming in the sea, I went with something stainless. I also prioritized a multi-tool with scissors (for cutting bandages and tape). A multi-tool always comes in handy for me when traveling; can-opener, bottle opener, needle nose, etc. I brought my LM Juice, and my old SOG Paratool as backup.

You also have to consider:

Possibility of Airport luggage handlers or security taking away the knife (whether they are supposed to or not)
Possibility of luggage handlers stealing the knife.
Knife laws in that country.
Possibility of someone stealing the knife at the job site or accommodations.
Possibility of damage to the knife during transport or during use.
Possibility of losing the knife by accident.

Personally, I would suggest something that is less expensive (and, of course, legal in your host country)... especially for your purposes. Maybe put the money into other things on the suggested list.

I might even suggest looking into the LM Raptor: http://www.leatherman.com/raptor-51.html#start=8
51-raptor.jpg


I don't know if you will have luxurious accommodations or not, but when I go to the Philippines, because I can stay anywhere from a luxury hotel to a 100 year old hut, as well as be in a city and the next day be on a secluded island in the middle of the sea, I usually have (off the top of my head):

Fannypack which has both a belt and an additional belt loop and lockable zippered enclosures (to help thwart pick pockets who cut packs/backpack straps)
Backpack (size depends on what you will be using it for)
Small solar charging kit w/ backup battery (I use the Goal Zero Guide 10 Plus kit with Eneloop batteries; built in flashlight)
Multitool
Infection fighting medication (I talk to my doctor about what they suggest)
First Aid kit
Check with CDC about potential health risks in the areas I am traveling
Cell phone that is compatible with host country SIM cards and internet radio bands
Map and compass (phone plus GPS is good; you can download offline maps in Google Maps now too)

... and of course when I get there I load up on the water bottles and mosquito repellent.

Charging my cell phone on an island off of Shark Fin Bay in the Philippines. The island accommodations only had electricity 4 hours per day, my cell phone worked for calls and internet:
IMG_1239_zps5890ac01.jpg

20120821_115309.jpg
Click to expand...

im not taking all those with me, just the cheap ones, and micro praetorian and im getting a benchmade triage. the medford is actually really easy to operate with latex gloves, wet or dry (aka bloody or not). the crazy jimping with a super thick stock and huge thumb groove make it really nice to work with, wouldnt of thought that initially but hey, i aint complaining. and my dads actually working for an oil company near where ill be (east Nigeria), so anything i worry about getting "lost" in airports or confiscated im just have his company ship because the have contracts with the govt and they dont give them a hard time about anything they import. And Im getting a jeep and apparently a half decent gene so i wont have to worry about power, and im bringing sat phone with me. i lived in the sticks in the Caribbean for 18 months (Dominica, not Domincan Republic), so i know whats its like to have intermittent power and when killing your food meant you got to eat well that night. not that i had to do it to survive but just that the stuff running or swimming around me tasted better than anything i brought with me or could buy

no iphones or smartphones on the island, at least outside of the capital, so for panoramic shots you just had to take multiple pictures and splice em together in paint, old school....
whw1HNG.png

but i always got to hang with the ol' puppy
ueIK4up.png
 
SeeTOPh said:
sent you an "email" thru here. they never tend to go thru for some reason so just letting you know
Click to expand...

I don't think we get PM privileges as just plain old users. I don't know if it's the same for e-mails.

What's up?
 
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