Looking for a field sharpening stone...

SweptEdge

SweptEdge

Joined
Jan 25, 2013
Messages
471
Hi everyone,

It's been awhile since I've been on the forum. I used to have good luck with a Spiderco Sharpmaker with the ultra fine rods and a strop on my knives, but I went through hell, and got rid of a lot. On the bright side I got to field test some products. A Spyderco Endura saved my bacon a couple of times until it broke, and a Victoronox One Hand Trekker came in handy a lot until it fell out of my pocket while sleeping. Along the way I ended up with a pull sharpener, but that really fries blades (works good on cheap knives though).

I got back to the point where I invested :cool: in a ESEE Izula for incase things get bad again, and I'm looking for a good field sharpener. I have a certain online store where I can get free shipping, so I have a selection there that I'm looking at. He has the Spyderco ceramic double stuff that looks interesting, but I wonder how well it works, and if it will break in a stuffed and thrown backpack. I like the idea of the DMT double sided diamond ground sharpeners even though there $38, I just dont know if I should buy the coarse/fine or the fine/extra fine. maybe a set of the 3 70mm DMT cards? He (Jeff) has others like those DMT sticks too, or the lanskey stuff. what works well for you and is durable and cost effective?
 
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My exclusive go to is the DMT Dia-Fold F/C paddle.

Love how fast it cuts, which also translates into a nice flat edge. The slightly toothy finish it leaves will pop hair yet slice aggressively, and stay aggressive longer than finer edges.

I also considered a double stuff, but avoided it because of the durability question you mentioned. Also, the fine finish isn't as aggressive. It would have a harder time touching up a damaged edge in the field, and leaves a finer edge as well. Although they are a bit sharper initially, I've found that finer edges lose their cutting ability faster as they wear.

I have the Spyderco Profile set, which are the same abrasives as the double stuff. They used to be my field kit until I got the DMT. Now I don't bother going past the DMT Fine side. I also don't have problems with the tiny, almost microscopic micro-burr anymore. Seems like with the ceramics, I can never completely remove it all the way, no matter how careful or what the technique.

So yeah, less hassle and quick, consistent results with DMT.

Unless you're dealing with a recurve or other odd blade, I'd say you can't find a better field sharpener out there. Go for the DMT. Way worth it.
 
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Jamesh Bond said:
My exclusive go to is the DMT Dia-Fold F/C paddle.

Love how fast it cuts, which also translates into a nice flat edge. The slightly toothy edge it leaves will pop hair yet slice aggressively, and stay aggressive longer than finer edges.

Unless you're dealing with a recurve or other odd blade, I'd say you can't find a better field sharpener out there. Go for the DMT.
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Fine/Coarse?
 
Yes, still in business and a very active dealer member here: FortyTwoBlades
 
If finances are tight, pick up some diamond plates from Harbor Freight (180, 260, 260), or the block (200, 300, 400, 600).
They work just fine for field use.

If time is not an issue and you want more choices regarding "grit size", eBay, Amazon, and those Asian wholesale sites offer them too.
 
Look at WorkSharp's Field Sharpener. Very durable, and you can do a lot with it. I don't backpack anymore, but carry one in a sunglass pouch, and use it all the time. If weight became an issue, you can pop off the diamond stones and just carry those (even the ceramic rod comes off if you desire). Mine's held up well.
 
Some really good recommendations so far but I've personally had some really good success with some of Spyderco's smaller/portable sharpening tools.

My very favorite are the Spyderco 701 Profiles and unfortunately they are currently discontinued and not offered by the company at this time. There is another Spyderco stone that you can literally carry with you anywhere and I also use one of those as well, I'm speaking of Spyderco's DOUBLESTUFF" stone which has two sides and two grits.

Spyderco has one other stone I would recommend if you like to experiment a lot. I'm speaking of their GOLDENSTONE. It's hard to go wrong with any of Spyderco's great equipment IMO
 
I'm putting a vote in for the fine/course dmt diafold. They are wonderful because you don't have to worry about them breaking like traditional stones or ceramics.
 
I've accumulated various ceramics rods and diamond mini 'paddles' that work well enough but if I were to buy now, I would consider one of these ...

DMT FWC Diafold Coarse, $10

DMT FWFC Double-sided Diafold Coarse/Fine, $30

Work Sharp GFS221 Field Sharpener Coarse/Fine, $25
 
It seems like Spyderco's double stuff would be perfect if it was a diamond/metal, dmt's coarse/fine has handles that could break? and work sharp is bulky, untested? I wish dmt had a double stuff with a case
 
SweptEdge said:
It seems like Spyderco's double stuff would be perfect if it was a diamond/metal, dmt's coarse/fine has handles that could break? and work sharp is bulky, untested? I wish dmt had a double stuff with a case
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I've used DMT's double sided sharpeners for a couple of years, both freehand and with their Aligner, and there's never been a handle issue. If a handle breaks, then somebody's doing something "unnatural" with it. I'd also recommend the blue/orange version (coarse/fine). But if you like the size of a DoubleStuff, that works too. Got one. Just doesn't work as fast as the DMTs and it's a bit different to hold, being a small flat stone and all.

If you're really adventurous and you like the small DMT CC sharpeners, they are smooth on one side, IIRC, and have the sharpening medium on the other. You could try making your own diamond DoubleStuff in a CC-sized package by attaching the two back sides together. Then you'd have a F side and a C side in one stone. How you'd attach them is up to you. I have no idea...
 
I've been using one of my Arctic Fox stones for all of my general sharpening lately. They were formulated with field use specifically in mind. :)
 
SweptEdge said:
It seems like Spyderco's double stuff would be perfect if it was a diamond/metal, dmt's coarse/fine has handles that could break? and work sharp is bulky, untested? I wish dmt had a double stuff with a case
Click to expand...

If the handles on the DMT Dia-Fold are an obstacle or a concern, they're easy enough to remove. I did just that with one of my Dia-Folds a few years ago. They're held in place with just a press-fit rolled steel pin, which is easy to drive out and/or replace again if you want to. So, you could remove the handles from the Dia-Fold and carry it in your DoubleStuff case, if you were so inclined.


David
 
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If looking for a double sided diamond stone that's pocket sized, Hewlett makes a nice one.
 
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