If you only could have 1 sharpening stone or Paper

Trent Rock said:
In several mountain man books they mention melting/saturating duck fat on an obsidian rock to sharpen their knives?
Anyone ever try that?
Why duck fat?? Is it different than other fat??

If I could only have one stone it would be my DMT Extra Fine Diamond "keychain" sharpener
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That's the one in my survival kit.
 
I took Ragnars advice and carry a DMT credit card sharpener in my wallet. My second choice would be a DMT or Eze-Lap equivalent duofold @ 600/1200.
 
Myal said:
if there is civilisation anywhere nearby .. there will be cardboard , glassy paper ...
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Interesting about the glossy paper. When I was in college, a friend who was an art major told me that the glossy pages in magazines have microscopic particles of ceramic in them.
 
P600 paper. I usually go very much finer than that but I think that's a fair compromise between a damage fix and something that isn't going to leave an edge like a child rubbed it up the kerb.
 
I'm surprised at the amount of recommendations for super high grit sharpening choices. Do people really find a razor sharp edge beneficial in a survival situation? Does anyone really think they could/ would maintain that level of edge on a working camp/ survival knife?

I would want a robust sharpening tool that's light and small enough to fit in a compact tin/bag, that I can use to maintain a working edge on anything from a 2.5" folder to a hatchet.

Or is it that people feel they can do the rough work with naturally occurring materials like flat rocks and such?
 
I'd grab a coarse/extra coarse DMT Diafold. Though my usual carry is a Coarse/Fine.
 
Jim D. said:
I'm surprised at the amount of recommendations for super high grit sharpening choices. Do people really find a razor sharp edge beneficial in a survival situation? Does anyone really think they could/ would maintain that level of edge on a working camp/ survival knife?

I would want a robust sharpening tool that's light and small enough to fit in a compact tin/bag, that I can use to maintain a working edge on anything from a 2.5" folder to a hatchet.

Or is it that people feel they can do the rough work with naturally occurring materials like flat rocks and such?
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I wasn't really thinking "survival situation" when I posted. I rarely go into the woods alone. I'm usually with a group of 5 or more people, backpacking. In that situation, I don't expect heavy use; Just cutting food items, or nylon rope, or whittling an extra tent peg. May as well have a finer edge.

Other people posting re: fine/extra fine might be thinking about emergency surgery, or other kinds of "push cutting," such as cutting small tree branches for a lean-to shelter.
 
I think it's a window ornament or something??? It was the only merman/cop hybrid I could find on a quick Google image search. :p
 
I have literally scores of DC4's , DMT's , pocket stones of all types and large benchstones in diamond and crystolon. The number one portable sharpener for me is the Eze-lap sportsmans rod model "M".


It works on anything from recurves , machetes , axes , ... you name it. It is about 600 grit. I strop on my belt or a pad if I want to refine the edge a little but usually just leave it as is with a few light strokes.

My original one I've had for about 6 years and it hasn't worn out at all after hard use. I like them so much I think I have about 7 or 8 of them stowed in different bags. Imo, best versatile unit for the money , easy to learn angles and strokes with , packs anywhere and is extremely reliable.

Drop me off in the middle of nowhere with my favorites knives and one of those and I'm good.
 
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In the field long term- my norton fine/course 2x8"
Short term- my wallyworld diamond fine/course 1x5" that stores in its own handle. Edit: its the same smith one that ballinxj posted the link to.
 
texastonydobbs said:
DMT Red/blue Duofold
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That's my usual carry. If I could only have one it would be the Blue/Black (coarse/extra coarse) one, though, as the coarse grit can still make a very functional edge and the extra coarse would better work at repairing damaged edges.
 
What do you guys use for sharpening convex blades in the field, like when backpacking where weight is an issue. Just bring a smaller selection of sandpapers and a small piece of wood, cardboard, or something? The DMT diamond keychain looks great, but you wouldn't use that for a convex blade, right?
 
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