Good portable, small, camp sharpening stone?

H

HDCase

Joined
Jul 15, 2012
Messages
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I hate to bother people with this as I bet it's been discussed before, but anyone have a quick recommendation for a quality (but inexpensive) small stone?
 
I like the Fallkniven DC3 & DC4 pocket stones. Diamond on one side and ceramic on the other, hence the DC. The Spyderco Double Stuff is another good small stone with medium ceramic on one side and fine ceramic on the other. Another is the DMT Diafold, a double sided diamond stone. Any of those paired with a small strop makes a nice compact field kit. Add some wet/dry sandpaper for more versatility. I haven't tried one yet but the recently released Worksharp Guided Field Sharpener has been getting some positive buzz. All of those are under $35.
 
Ace Hardware has a 4" silicon carbide C/F stone (~$5) that seems to be identical in looks/performance to Norton's 6" 'Economy' stone found at Home Depot (~ $7), also SiC. Either of them works very aggressively on all but the most wear-resistant steels (S30V, etc.).

If using S30V or similar, I'd go with a diamond hone. A 'credit card' hone from DMT would be my first choice (available in C/F/EF grits). Those can generally be had for ~ $15 or less, per hone. The finer grits, and especially the EF, can work quite well on simpler steels also (1095, Case CV & Tru-Sharp, 420HC/440-series, etc.).

Pretty sure Norton also has more 'portable' versions of their India stones (aluminum oxide), maybe down to pocket-size. Don't have one of these, but I'd bet they're good also. All should be less than maybe $20 or so; maybe significantly less.


David
 
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I have no super steel knives but for my Bucks, Griptilian, and SAKs, I've really liked their ceramic pocket stones. I decided to try the two individual ones vs. the bonded double stone as for a few dollars more you get two work surfaces for each grit and a second suede leather pouch (which makes a pretty good strop). As a Fallkniven knife owner (a couple F1s) I almost went with their DC4 and still might get one to try out. I only use these to maintain a good edge. If you have more serious needs they might not be the best choice.
 
Small diamond hones can fit in your wallet. I've been carrying a Eze-Lap model L with most of the red plastic handle cut off. It fits n the zipper part of my Eagle Creek wallet very easy, and lets me sharpen up my knife anywhere, anytime.

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A Norton puck is what I'll be taking from now on. I normally only do three or four day trips, edges don't get dull enough to worry about. Have had a few requests for sharpening of dull knives for friends, so will start bringing one along with a small chunk of Flexcut Gold compound. I like the puck as I've already used it on hatchets, axes, machetes. Works well on knives too, and its small thin and light. Am also interested in the Fallkniven stones but they aren't cheap and I'm not the biggest fan of ceramics.

Also have a small 4" Craftsman silicon carbide stone as recommended by OWE above. Also a very good choice and can be held like a puck for larger items.
 
HD, For me your question of a 'camp & portable' stone for sharpening are two different stones. Normally the one I'll carry in my pickup and have in camp (it doesn't go any further) is a 2X6" Norton combination coarse/ fine India stone. The one I'll carry in my pack while hiking or hunting is a 2X4" coarse diamond with the light plastic base. DM
 
Chris "Anagarika";12356833 said:
DMT Credit card set, C, F, EF. Thin but moderately heavy.
Click to expand...

^ This.
I learned how to sharpen with the DMT credit cards. For $25, you can't really beat the price.They are essentially maintenance free. All you have to do is wash them off with water after use; the fact that there's no stone leveling required is also nice. DMT products are always high quality, you won't be disappointed with the credit card set.
 
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