Maintaining convex in wet conditions

P

Palacian

Joined
Nov 15, 2012
Messages
7
Hi
This may seem like a silly question but was just wondering how you would maintain the edge in wet / rainy conditions in the field if sandpaper gets sopping wet?:confused:
 
Many sand papers are wet/dry so water will not effect sharpening. How long are you planning to be in the field? Stropping on leather is also an easy way to maintain your edge while away from home, a leather belt or short piece of leather will do fine.
 
Take care of your knife and it should be sharp enough to remain useful for several weeks. A small compound loaded leather strop should help maintain your edge for quite a while. Give it a few strokes after each use.
 
A strop is going to be your best bet. Take the sandpaper as backup if you want.
 
Any small sharpening stone can be used to keep up a convex, doesn't need to be a flexible surface. The minimalist approach would be to take along a small chunk of medium grade compound like black emery. You can apply it to some smooth bark right on a branch, or reasonably flat piece of wood. I've maintained my machete on a few backbacking trips by stropping it on compound applied to my walking stick.
 
+1 to what HH said.

A small waterstone around 1000 grit would be my choice.
 
Almost any sharpening tool will work when wet; and some (or even most) will work even better if wet. Among the options:

  • Wet-or-Dry sandpaper (SiC/AlOx)
  • SiC stone (or AlOx)
  • Diamond hone or rod
  • Waterstone (obviously)
  • Depending on the steel, even natural sandstone/siltstone, found on the ground, can work very well when used as a waterstone. Simple carbon steels like 1095, and low-alloy stainless like 420HC respond well to this method.
HH's suggestion of honing with abrasive on the walking stick is a great one. Along those lines, a piece of wet/dry sandpaper glued to any similar rod or cylindrical object (walking stick, tripod leg, backpack frame, axe handle), before leaving home, can come in very handy.


David
 
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