Keeping your tools/knives sharp in field?

C

Cascade_mtn's

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Jan 13, 2011
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I have been carving for a long time. My Granddad taught me how to carve, as well as put an edge on knives/axes and the like when I was about 12 yo.

In my shop, I use waterstones (800,1000,4000,8000 grit) and a loaded strop. The strop get used about 85% of the time to maintain a keen/polished edge on my tools until they are convexed enough that a trued up waterstone is needed to bring it back to a 0 degree edge bevel. Sloyd style.

In the field, I do much the same (stropping) with a piece of leather from an old belt, loaded with either Yellow Flex cut Gold, or Veritas Blade Honing Compound. If my knife gets too bad, which rarely happens, I use a Fallkniven diamond 4" stone. The diamond side takes care of most damage to bring back a functional edge, and the ceramic side will produce a decent polish.



As mentioned, I rarely have to use this if I strop my knife each night.

So what say you all? What are you using? I'm forever looking for better/lighter/more efficient ways and tools for such tasks.:thumbup:
 
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I have a Fallkniven DC3 and a DC4. I always have one or the other in my pack. I like the diamond/ceramic combo, they've worked great for field touch ups. The diamond side rarely gets used, but it works to quickly sharpen out dings and dents.
 
My set up is pretty close to yours, I just throw some sandpaper in addition.
400,800, 1000, 2000 all cut up in smaller three by five squares.
It works and so I don't worry about some new design or way.

I will still listen to others, however.
 
PDE said:
My set up is pretty close to yours, I just throw some sandpaper in addition.
400,800, 1000, 2000 all cut up in smaller three by five squares.
It works and so I don't worry about some new design or way.

I will still listen to others, however.
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Well put. My system works as well.

Sandpaper huh... I like that idea. I have read threads here about "secondary convexed edge bevels" and the use of a mouse pad glued to a flat surface, and sandpaper. Some sandpaper would weigh close to nothing, and many materials could be used underneath to aid in the convexing shape. Good stuff PDE. Never thought of that.:cool:
 
Cascade_mtn's said:
Well put. My system works as well.

Sandpaper huh... I like that idea. I have read threads here about "secondary convexed edge bevels" and the use of a mouse pad glued to a flat surface, and sandpaper. Some sandpaper would weigh close to nothing, and many materials could be used underneath to aid in the convexing shape. Good stuff PDE. Never thought of that.:cool:
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response!
I usually just opt to use my thigh in the bush, just be careful for
obvious reasons. I don't know how well it would work if you actually
got stranded on a trip or something, after your body thins out and
your legs get bony....:D
 
All the edge damage I've experienced in the woods was from misalignment, not wear. I don't see much point in carrying "sharpening" stuff. If anything, I used to carry a butcher's steel, and/or an old EdgePro ceramic steel when I was intentionally using and abusing a knife. Since I don't go around playing with knives any more, I just use the spine of a SAK saw on the rare occasion an edge gets out of whack. A Leatherman tool file, especially a diamond one like the Wave has, will straighten out even major damage. Again, I don't carry one in the woods, because I'm not doing anything that's likely to cause damage to begin with. Great when you're clearing brush in a suburban environment, though, 'cause you find all kinds of crap in places that were left "natural".
 
i carry a fallkniven dc4 and a small square of leather loaded with veritas honing compound.

takes care of all my sharpening needs in the field.
 
THE PUNISHER said:
how bout a sharpmaker......
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I looked at that. Takes up a little more space than I would want personally. And I'm so used to sharpening free hand that I should probably stick with that method, I.E. laying a blade on a flat surface be that a stone, sandpaper, strop, ect....

I'm sure the sharpmaker is a very good tool for some, just doesn't seem like my best option. Thats me of course and millage will certainly vary. ;)
 
You got it figured out, Cascade_mtn's. I wouldn't change a thing. :thumbup: As you know, all good carvers (I carve, too) sharpen freehand for VERY good reasons. We have little use for enslaving gadgets and contraptions in our shops or, in the field for that matter.

In my wallet (I use the small DMT folding or Fallkniven diamond sharpeners also when I can in the field), I carry a 2" X 6" piece of 3M, 220 grit ceramic belt (worn belt from my belt grinder). Between it and my leather belt, I can generally get a shaving edge back real quick if found dull (I don't let 'em get dull, usually) . The small section of belt takes up no more room in your wallet than a dollar bill.

BTW, I live smack in the middle of the Cascade's (south end from you). :)
 
Dannyboy Leather said:
BTW, I live smack in the middle of the Cascade's (south end from you). :)
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Thanks for the comment DL. Not sure how often you are able to get out, but I have 2 trips planned this summer (July/August) in the Cascades and the Pasayten area. Maybe we can meet up sometime this summer (barring LIFE of course).

The sandpaper idea was one of those (DUH...... use and have enough sandpaper in my shop to sand half of the Sequoia National Forest) moments. Sometimes the simple ones evade me.:o
 
EZ-Lap 4" stone. been using the same one since 1993 and it works extremely well.
 
I put together this small kit, took a pieces of strop leather and glued it to one side of a small paint stirrer, the other a small section of mouse pad- the strop is loaded w/ compound, the other side I use w/ the sandpaper - I carry 200-1000- the entire kit (including ziplock) weighs 1.1 oz

greenside.jpg


sandpaperside.jpg


shpnrpacked.jpg


I also carry a small Fallkniven D3 diamond whetstone (in case I've really messed a edge up :)) it's about the size a stick of gum and weighs about .5 oz
 
Good stuff Mtwarden.:thumbup::thumbup:

I have a DC4, but I like your set up for the strop, and sandpaper. I may forgo the DC4 on ultralight trips and go with something like this. Every ounce counts yes? ;) As mentioned I always have a loaded piece of leather, but the sandpaper idea is a good one.

Thanks, :cool:
 
A tip I picked up here was to simply put black and green compound on the inside of my belt. For week-long trips it's a winner.
 
If I'd known about the DC back when; i probably would've got one. I have 600 grit dmt creditcard in my psk and spyderco pocket hone in my pocket.

if i'm in the mood to be nature boy I have plenty of natural stones to choose from as well.
 
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