Lightweight, Compact Honing Device?

redsquid2

redsquid2

Free-Range Cheese Baby
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Aug 31, 2011
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I used to have a little Arkansas stone in a leather pouch. I would carry it on all my camping, canoeing, and backpacking trips. I don't know what ever happened to it.

I am interested if any of you carry a small honing device. For my outdoor adventures, I like to carry as little kit as possible, and as light as possible.

I am thinking about a Norton India stone, which comes in small sizes, or a DMT Diafold, which can be used dry:

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Do you carry a small device just for honing?
 
I like the DiaFolds, they're always good. I also have DMT's 'credit card' hones in Fine, EF (I'll likely get the Coarse one too). They work very well, and actually can be carried in your wallet. Another good one, is the Fallkniven DC4 (there's a smaller DC3 also). It's a combination diamond & ceramic hone, double-sided, and one of the more aggressive ceramics I've seen. Works fast.
 
I'll second the DMT credit cards. They are about as small yet effective as a sharpening tool can get!


Stitchawl
 
don't know about the dmt credit cards, but I use the dmt diafolds with a lot of pleasure. That said, I also like my spyderco doublestuff, which is about the same size, but ceramic and nothing can break on it, as opposed to the diafolds.
The dc-4 is a very good tool too.
those are my 3 'pocket sharpeners' and each will do well. make sure you get the right abrasives and abrasive sizes for your application, tougher steels need tougher abrasive materials. also see my 'abrasives described' thread about that. For modern steels, diamonds may work faster, but that said, I sharpened my m390 benchmade with the doublestuff no problem.
If you bring the dmt xf/xxf to the field with you, it's probably not a wise choice :) a M/F combo would be best imo
 
I have a kit with DMT coarse/fine Diafold and a Spyderco DoubleStuff. If I were to put just one in my pocket, it would be the DoubleStuff, but the DMT does reprofiling better. I really want that Fallkniven but ... I don't need it. :p
 
I would get a spyderco double stuff pocket stone. I have diamond paste loaded in my belt for touchups and burr removal too :D
 
I carried the Diafold on my armor while in OEF, survived that well so I don't worry about it breaking, could happen I guess. I sharpened a LOT of knives with it while there and it did a great job. I have big hands and really like the design so that I have something to hold onto and work with, the models that are only the sharpening edge would not work well for me; too small for my hands and I'm not that coordinated. If the handles did break then you would have the sharpening portion still.
 
I've used the Sydie Double for several years seems pretty good, however last year bought the Fallkniven DC3 and DC4 and have to say the DC4 is now my "go to".
 
Esav Benyamin said:
I have a kit with DMT coarse/fine Diafold and a Spyderco DoubleStuff. If I were to put just one in my pocket, it would be the DoubleStuff, but the DMT does reprofiling better. I really want that Fallkniven but ... I don't need it. :p
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Need??? What's this 'need' you speak of? :p

Seriously, my experience mirrors yours. I've also relied on the DMT C/F DiaFold & Spyderco Doublestuff for a long while. My hands were basically 'trained' for pocket hones with the DoubleStuff, had it the longest. Found the DiaFolds some time after that. And, I also 'wanted' the DC4 for a long while. Finally gave in to the 'want'...I have no self-control. :o
 
I have a Spec-Ops Brand pocket organizer with all these little maintenance gadgets in it. No room for one more! Oh, wait, the outer mesh pocket ...
 
+1 on the Diafolds. Have the coarse/xtra coarse and the fine/xtra fine and they work great. Just got a DMT Sharpening Card (credit card size) fine grit in yesterday, have not used it yet but the fact it fits right into my wallet is fantastic.
 
WiscTJK said:
Skyhorse,

Where can you get that pen style one or what model is it?

Thanks,

Todd
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If I'm not mistaken, that's a 'Buck Diamond Pocket Sharpener' (model# 97070; by Buck Knives). You'll see many available sellers online, if you Google it as such.
 
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I prefer the DMT diafolds for outdoor use. The Spyderco ceramics are nice also (at home), but I don't trust them too much when in the woods, ceramics can be easily broken. I've had several Fallkniven DC4's and they were all badly dished, I won't buy any more until they get that fixed.
 
sodak said:
I prefer the DMT diafolds for outdoor use. The Spyderco ceramics are nice also (at home), but I don't trust them too much when in the woods, ceramics can be easily broken. I've had several Fallkniven DC4's and they were all badly dished, I won't buy any more until they get that fixed.
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How long ago did you buy your last DC4? How dished was it? Just curious, as mine seems to be OK. It was purchased within the last year or so.
 
About 6 months ago. When I hold a straight edge to the ceramic side, there's easily a millimeter of daylight coming through, both width and lengthwise.
 
WiscTJK said:
Skyhorse,

Where can you get that pen style one or what model is it?

Thanks,

Todd
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Todd I got mine from the Buck website,it's not very expensive and works great for it's size.You can even use the tapered end for serrated blades.
 
Obsessed and skyhorse,

Thank you very much! Sometimes a newbie like me doesn't get answers. I appreciate it.

Todd
 
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