Help selecting a sharpening system w/specific requirements

[rrc]

Hey guys,

I'm new to knives and sharpening. Right now I just have a Ka-bar D2 Extreme Fighting/Utility Knife (semi-serrated) and a Leatherman Wave (S30V). I have a couple more knives I'll be ordering once I'm back in the states (Beckers [1095 Cro-Van] and a Benchmade [154CM] & ZT [S35VN] folders). I'd like to invest in a sharpening system that fits a couple requirements:

- No electricity; needs to be included in a field kit
- Handle as many steels as possible; I want to be able to sharpen whatever weird blades I get in the future, both hard carbons and stainless
- Should last for a long, long time
- I'm willing to give up speed and efficiency
- I'm willing to tackle a learning curve

Right now my best guess at a system fitting these requirements are freehand on a set of six DMT 8" Continuous Diamond Surface Sharpening Stones, ranging from XX Coarse to XX Fine. They have a wide range of grits, from 120 mesh (I guess that means grit?) to 8000 so they should be able to handle any blade state and since it's diamond it should be able to handle the carbon steels like A2, D2 and so on. The only concern I have is their range jumps from XFine/1200 to XXFine/8000. Jumping from 1200 to 8000 seems like it's leaving a pretty serious gap in there.

I figure I can also get the three (XFine, Fine, Coarse) DMT Diafold Serrated sharpening sticks to cover any serrated sections of the blades.

What do you guys think?

 

[Ben Dover]

As stringent as your requirements are, most sophisticated systems are excluded. In which case freehanding with some kind of lightweight stones, perhaps the 1X4 inch DMT diamond pocket stones in coarse, medium and fine would appear to meet your needs.

Depending on the size and acceptable weight of your field kit, these might be a superior alternative to the full size plates.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Your preliminary choice of DMT is a good one (I'd say excellent, in fact). Pretty much anything from them will get the job done. With regards to the apparent 'jump' in grit, between the EF (1200 'mesh'/9 micron) and the EEF (8000 'mesh'/3 micron), in reality, it's not that big. The 'mesh' numbers of 1200 vs. 8000 are deceptive in that regard. In terms of the finish they leave, they 'look' closer to each other than the numbers imply. And both of them will get a bit more refined with some use. The EEF will come pretty close to polishing with some 'break-in', and if you want to go further, the DMT Dia-Paste compounds (6/3/1 micron) will complement your hone set nicely, when used for stropping on leather or balsa wood (or hardwood, if you like).

You might also look at a DMT Aligner clamp, to be used with your hones, if you're not fully comfortable with free-hand sharpening yet. And even if you are, it's still very handy. With the DMT hones, the clamp will allow you to put a wicked sharp, clean bevel on your knives in very short order. This is also a great way to quickly demonstrate what the hones are capable of doing, by taking angle variability out of the process. So far as the 'learning curve' goes, it's about as simple as can be.

I'll just add, use very light pressure with the diamond hones. Too heavy is counter-productive, and will shorten the life of the hones. And they're easy to keep clean. Just a little dish soap & water after each use, will usually be all they need. If they go a bit longer between cleanings, some Comet/Ajax with water and a toothbrush should take care of it (this is what DMT actually recommends).

 

[rrc]

Thanks guys, this is great feedback. Ben raised a good point about the size/weight issue. I hadn't considered the Aligner clamp and I'll be sure to pick it up along with the stones. I might as well get the paste and some double-ended leather strops mounted on wood while I'm at it because all this stuff it tough to get where I live. Hopefully that should set me up for the next decade or so