Looking for a simple field sharpener for a convex edge blade.

[sonic knife]

i dont want anything complicated. just field Maintenance sharpener for a blade that has a convex edge grind.

just something i can buy off amazon and be done would be good.

thanks!

 

[ksskss]

Welcome to the forum!

For field maintenance of a convex grind a simple strop with some compound on it should do. My preference is a compound around 4k in fineness (4 microns). You can simply put some on a piece of leather or balsa or even some stiff paper or thin cardboard. I do have my preferences in compounds or strops.

You may wish to go coarser too (or finer). This will depend on the knife type and the type of use you expect to have the knife perform in your hands.

Now this is for maintaining an edge not fixing or repairing an edge which requires a significantly coarser grit. For that consider diamond plates or stones.

Since we have no idea what sort of knives we are discussing, my suggestions are of necessity somewhat vague.

We also don't have a sense of how long you will be in the field or what environment - day hike military combat zone etc.

In many instances you are best served with having two higher quality knives with better edge retention characteristics on you rather than one knife that dulls more easily and any elaborate amount of repair equipment.

---
Ken

 

[Chris "Anagarika"]

If you have free hand skill, any pocket diamond sharpener will do, simply choose the grit moat suitable. Assiming: field = quick touch up & repair back to chopping wood / slicing/skinning animals, etc., as opposed to be mirror bevel nice & smooth for dry shaving.

I carry DMT credit card set : C, F & EF almost daily for a quick touch up or edge revival.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Welcome to the forum!

For field maintenance of a convex grind a simple strop with some compound on it should do. My preference is a compound around 4k in fineness (4 microns). You can simply put some on a piece of leather or balsa or even some stiff paper or thin cardboard. I do have my preferences in compounds or strops.

You may wish to go coarser too (or finer). This will depend on the knife type and the type of use you expect to have the knife perform in your hands.

Now this is for maintaining an edge not fixing or repairing an edge which requires a significantly coarser grit. For that consider diamond plates or stones.

Since we have no idea what sort of knives we are discussing, my suggestions are of necessity somewhat vague.

We also don't have a sense of how long you will be in the field or what environment - day hike military combat zone etc.

In many instances you are best served with having two higher quality knives with better edge retention characteristics on you rather than one knife that dulls more easily and any elaborate amount of repair equipment.

---
Ken

:thumbup:
A firm or hard-backed strop with some well-selected compound is, by far, the easiest way to maintain convexed edges; usually dirt-cheap too. Most of mine are convexed, and this is how I do almost all of the upkeep on them. In a situation where some more work is needed, substituting some medium-high grit wet/dry sandpaper (~320-1000 or higher, depending on desired edge finish) for the compound will take care of it, most of the time. Use the paper in exactly the same way, over a firm or hard backing with edge-trailing (stropping) strokes. Then follow on the strop again, to clean it up.


David

 

[Gadsden]

Have you thought about a leather belt? If you only need a field sharpener to keep your edge keen in the field you can wear a belt and either apply compound to it or carry a little bit of it with you. That way you do not have to carry extra stuff if weight is an issue.

 

[Danketch]

I carry a DMT credit cart Fine stone in my wallet for for all my blades to maintain ( I have 90% convex blades) and keep a Fallkniven DC3 stone on a few of my blades for sharpening in the field. I find using circular "scrubbing" motions yields good results for me for re-sharpening a convex edge, and stropping on a lil hank of leather belt with Bark River white compound on it works best for me and the way I do.