Let's talk pocket sharpeners

[Coondog27]

I am in search of a stone/hone for my pocket to touch up my blade while out camping, or around my farm. I cut a lot of plastic string and netting off of bales, and I need to touch up my blade often. What does everyone like for doing pocket knives that fits nicely in a pocket or a small pouch. I'd prefer oiless, or at the very most need a splash of water, although, I don't want a wet spot in my pocket all day long. Any suggestions?

 

[Dangerously]

My pack always has a Fine (red) DMT mini-sharp for just such an occasion. I like the fine one, because it's the best grit for sharpening pocket knives I like to carry (s35vn, 1095, 440c). The coarse (blue) is good for removing metal, or repairing chips. The EF (green) is good at putting a little polish on. But if you have room for only one, the red is probably the best bet.

It's only big enough for smaller knives, say about 3.5" - 4" blade length and smaller. Bigger than that, and it's too awkward.

It's really light, and the keyring and plastic loop can come off if you don't need it, leaving it flat, and easy to stuff in a pocket. No water, no oil, and just wipe the steel dust off it now and then.

(Not my pic.)

 

[Coondog27]

Hmmm, that looks pretty handy. What about ceramic? My knives I usually carry are a leatherman wave and a Kershaw in 8cr13mov.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I am in search of a stone/hone for my pocket to touch up my blade while out camping, or around my farm. I cut a lot of plastic string and netting off of bales, and I need to touch up my blade often. What does everyone like for doing pocket knives that fits nicely in a pocket or a small pouch. I'd prefer oiless, or at the very most need a splash of water, although, I don't want a wet spot in my pocket all day long. Any suggestions?

Diamond pocket hone fits that perfectly.

The DMT Mini-Sharp mentioned above is a good suggestion; I've carried the 'Fine' one in my pocket daily for a while now. Other possibilities are a Dia-Fold (DMT) or equivalents from EZE-Lap (I have both brands; they work quite well), a Fallkniven DC3/DC4 diamond/ceramic two-sided hone, or DMT's 'credit card' sharpeners. The Dia-Fold type hones are likely the easiest to learn to use, with their fold-out handles. The smaller Mini-Sharp hone would likely follow that in ease of use (again, the small 'handle' is helpful for someone trying these for the first time). The 'credit card' hones are literally thin-as-named, with no handles; takes some getting used to, but they also work very well, and the wider surface area is a bonus. The Dia-Fold types come in double-sided configurations, offering combinations in DMT's grit range of XC, C, F, EF, EEF; probably the best versatility for the money spent, with the Coarse/Fine combo (blue/red) likely being the most useful overall. EZE-Lap offers similar double-sided combos; I have theirs in a 'Medium' (400)/'Extra-Fine' (1200) combo.

EZE-Lap's model 'M' rod-type diamond sharpener also works pretty well; it's a round rod which screws into it's own brass handle for storage & carry (w/belt sheath). With rod-types, more care needs to be taken with use of pressure, as it's pretty easy to roll, chip or burr an edge on the narrow contact area, if pressure is too heavy. They might also take a little time to get used to. Would obviously be useful for serrations and recurved edges also.

(I have & use ALL the hone types mentioned, BTW; I've liked the edge finish & quality off of DMT's hones the best, though all mentioned are quite good.)


David

 

[Dangerously]

What about ceramic? My knives I usually carry are a leatherman wave and a Kershaw in 8cr13mov.

The Fallkniven DC3 or DC4 has a diamond side and a ceramic side. I like them too, but you may need to find something horizontal to put them on, like a bench stone. No handle. And I think they're a tiny bit heavier than the DMT.

Your knives aren't super-hard, so ceramic is probably fine. Although I find they get gummed up with steel dust faster than DMT. In that case, you can really get just about any ceramic stone for cheap from anywhere.

 

[Coondog27]

I was really looking into the double stuff by spyderco or the mentioned fallknivn. That DMT would be nice for my truck keys.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Hmmm, that looks pretty handy. What about ceramic? My knives I usually carry are a leatherman wave and a Kershaw in 8cr13mov.

A ceramic can work fine on those steels (Leatherman Wave is likely 420HC). I haven't relied much on the ceramic side of my Fallkniven DC4 though. As mentioned, ceramics will load up with swarf pretty fast, and are a little more tedious to keep clean; they'll slow down quite a bit if they get too dirty. They'll also be a little more prone to producing burrs with even moderately heavy pressure. Something like an EF diamond (1200) can essentially replace the functionality of a medium (brown) ceramic, such as on the DC3/4 hones, and it will also be much quicker in removing metal and much easier to keep clean.

Small hones without handles can be used in-hand, though it takes getting used to. The extra thickness of the Fallkniven DC3/4 hones can help in holding it between the thumb at one end, and index/middle finger at the other (this is how I use mine, including even my 'credit card' hones). Obviously need to keep steady control of the blade, to protect the fingertips at either end. They can also be used on a bench or similar surface; just depends on what you're willing to train your hands for. If relied on as a 'field sharpener', I've preferred to use mine in-hand, as a bench/table or other similar surface may not always be available, depending on the situation.


David

 

[Bobby3326]

Check out the Work sharp field sharpener, diamond stones, ceramic rod, and a leather strop in one small package.

 

[Coondog27]

I was thinking ceramic, mainly because they are larger, then when I get in at night, I can completely remaintain the edge back to the strop, but still be able to use the stones on my bench top. Right now I use a small smiths Arkansas stone for the finish, besides my strop, and I am looking to step up to a finer grit too, so I was thinking something like the double ceramic for quick maintenance and the fine for when I get in at night.

 

[fsatsil]

Check out the EzeLap 530 it's a folding design that's got fine diamond abrasive on one side and ceramic on the other.

 

[Baron85]

I have the spyderco double stuff, fallkniven dc4, dmt credit cards in course, fine, and extra fine, and dmt fine mini sharp.

I prefer the spyderco double stuff for maintaining an edge but it takes too long to resharpen an edge. I use the dmt credit cards if I am doing stuff that is really going to wear on the edge. And I really dislike the mini sharp. The skipping feel as you sharpen I couldn't get used too so I don't use it plus the credit card have a larger surface area to sharpen faster.

 

[singularity35]

DMT diasharp cards

 

[Coondog27]

I was looking into those cards, but I think they may be a bit small.

 

[jackknife]

For many years I've been sold on the small diamond hones that fit in a wallet. I cut off most of the handle on an Eze-lap model L, and it fits nice and flat in the zipper pocket with a few other items I like to carry. It' sharpened many knives in places off the beaten path.

 

[Coondog27]

That looks nice. Professional looking as well. I am really looking into the fallknivn or spyderco. Dual grit. Large enough to use quickly. Would be nice to sharpen my fixed blade in my truck bag too.

 

[mqqn]

I like the DMT Dia-fold - fits in the pocket, two grits, no lube needed - and they last a long time -

I have the green/tan - fine and extra fine - that works for most knives.

I also have the EZE-LAP M 1/4-Inch Round Diamond Sharpener - I use that if the knife has been dulled badly and I need something more coarse.

best

mqqn

 

[J W Bensinger]

Hewlett two sided diamond plate (about 1x3") and a gatco ceramic dogbone for finishing-both fit in the pouch and the pouch fits perfectly in a carrhart leg pocket.

 

[jpm2]

Hewlett two sided diamond plate (about 1x3") and a gatco ceramic dogbone for finishing-both fit in the pouch and the pouch fits perfectly in a carrhart leg pocket.

Excellent combo.

For me, it's a medium diamond eze-lap credit card size, that's lived in my wallet(s) the last 15 years .

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

The Hewlett card is pretty great. The dual grit is a nice feature.

 

[average gimp]

The AG Russell Field Sharpener is a little more portable than the Work Sharp version, albeit not as portable as the other solutions listed here.