New Field Kit (and how I use my DMT Diafold)

[Magnaminous_G]

I finally got my new field kit together and figured I'd share here. The kit comprises a DMT XC/C Diafold Sharpener and a DLT Field Hone loaded with Bark River black compound, stuffed in a Equinox Marsupial Pouch. The whole thing weighs 3.5 oz.

(nickel is for scale)

After much trial and error, I settled on the technique you see in the vid. It’s very comfortable and allows for excellent angle control. EDIT: However, you should be extra careful because you're cutting very close to your wrist and slipping off the stone is easy! I do it accidentally in the vid. From now on, I will cover the wrist with something when using this technique!

Cover your wrist, like this:

(Available in HD!)
[youtube]Q5mhGZnRgro[/youtube]

 

[Big Chris]

Is the jump from the Blue DMT to the Black compound not too big, or are you just going for burr removal. I am just curious cause my coarse DMT leaves a very aggressive scratch.
I have wondered about using a coarser compound for stropping, but never have as I really like what I currently use.

 

[Magnaminous_G]

Hi Chris. In my opinion, it's not too big a jump. I have tried jumping from stropping to compound with different coarse stones and feel that the DMT C leaves a nice edge that isn't torn to bits. I have noticed that some just wouldn't wouldn't work, such as the XC and my Omura 150.

The BR black compound is very aggressive. 4 minutes of stropping would completely erase the DMT coarse scratch pattern and look like a 6 micron or whatever bevel. So it's only purpose here is tiny burr removal and minimal polishing/smoothing of teeth.

 

[Maniacal Pete]

Are you not concerned about how close the knife is to your wrist while sharpening?
I'm not sure that is how I would school the uninitiated on youtube to sharpen a knife.

 

[Magnaminous_G]

That's a good point, and I said it in the vid. It's dangerous if you're not careful. It's good that you noticed that! I'll repeat here: BE CAREFUL IF YOU DO IT THIS WAY BECAUSE YOU COULD SLIP OFF THE STONE!

 

[Maniacal Pete]

[youtube]Q5mhGZnRgro[/youtube]

That's a good point, and I said it in the vid. It's dangerous if you're not careful. It's good that you noticed that! I'll repeat here: BE CAREFUL IF YOU DO IT THIS WAY BECAUSE YOU COULD SLIP OFF THE STONE!

What you are proposing is a very dangerous sharpening technique.

I "slip off the stone" all the time, and I've sharpened more than a few knives.

This is the reason that the Sharpmaker comes with guides.

I would suggest promoting techniques that will not result in a person being injured if (read "when") they happen to slip, especially n00bs.

As a side note, I'm curious: I've never seen anyone use a technique such as this, did you learn it from someone else where we might have a look, or did you come up with it on your own?

 

[Big Chris]

Thanks for the response. How do you think the BR black compound compares to the grey buffing compound that can be bought from knife making supply stores?

 

[Magnaminous_G]

EDIT: vid link fixed
[youtube]dubB5nIhe6A[/youtube]



Pete, I tried using it like Scott Gossmann does (vid above) and holding it out like a paddle, etc. I haven't seen anybody else use it the way I do. You just have to be careful, like when using any equipment.

Chris, I have never used the gray compound you mentioned, so I'm not sure how the Bark River black stacks up.

 

[1234]

That's a good point, and I said it in the vid. It's dangerous if you're not careful. It's good that you noticed that! I'll repeat here: BE CAREFUL IF YOU DO IT THIS WAY BECAUSE YOU COULD SLIP OFF THE STONE!

Could ? Why you actually slip off at 5:12 ,,

Very unsafe practice that , never cut against yourself , or in this case rub a blade on a stone in that fashion.


1234,,,,

 

[fervens]

I have used my diafold the same exact way. and a couple other fun ones too.

A tip you might find useful. When sharpening with a stone in hand, you can put more force on the side of the stone you are working on to help grind in specific area of the knife. Like if you want to work on the very heel of a knife, just hold the bottom half more firmly and let the top half go slack a little. It work better for me when i'm using my 4 inch stones. Top is pointer and bottom in middle finger.

And something people have to understand is that sharpening a knife is inherently dangerous. You are putting your skin very close to a (if you're doing right) very sharp edge that is only getting sharper. And i have to say, the most annoying thing I hear when someone watches me sharpen a knife, even when I have the stone on a table, is that you shouldn't cut toward yourself. You just have to know what you are doing. Otherwise, you are only sharpening half the bevel.

ETA: Speaking of cutting toward yourself, and rubbing the blade. I do both those thing in the third picture very quickly.

 

[Magnaminous_G]

I'll use it this way because it's very effective, but from now on I'll make sure to cover the wrist with something. I think that should be good. Safety is important.

 

[Melvin-Purvis]

That video hurt my head - there was no towel on the couch, oil could get everywhere!

 

[Magnaminous_G]

There's no oil used in the vid.

 

[1234]

I'll use it this way because it's very effective, but from now on I'll make sure to cover the wrist with something. I think that should be good. Safety is important.

I´m pretty sure its just as effective using a steady surface instead of your hand towards your wrist also it will be easier
to maintain an even angle .



1234,,

 

[Magnaminous_G]

That's true, but the point is that it's a field kit. I use this technique because you don't always have a flat surface at the right height.

For safety, I'll make sure to cover the wrist from now on. I'll make a follow-up vid at some point when I use it again, this time being extra careful to address safety. I certainly don't want someone to try this and cut themselves. But I do think you're overplaying the danger. If you cover your wrist and pay more attention than I did , you'll be fine sharpening this way.

I edited the OP with a safety acknowledgment.

 

[awestib]

All your guys safety concerns aside (which is important of course), I'd like to stress out that you showed a great amount of sharpening skill here M! Everybody can use 12 different grids to get to a polished edge, then use 0.0125 micron secret powder on kangoroooooo leather and can then cut paper ...

I appreciate your skill of removing the burr after a coarse diamond stone to the degree that you can push cut paper. That is very good !!

And - you actually take your time to show and teach on videos here on BF - many other folks just should do the same if they apparently have so great skills to share! No offense to anybody on this thread though!!

And yes, your technique is dangerous

 

[Magnaminous_G]

Thanks, Andy. I appreciate it.

 

[Chris "Anagarika"]

Mag,

Thanks for sharing, as always something to ponder upon.

It might seem to be dangerous but the amount of pressure with the technique is limited, the main artery itself is blocked by the sharpener, and lastly, the blade movement is not cuting directly into flesh, more a sideway landing if one slip.

IMO

 

[willc]

Owning a knife or even living day to day can be dangerous.
But this, as you say, is a field sharpening kit and if I needed to sharpen my knife outdoors this is also how I would do it.

I understand that as a whole we have become a litigious society that can't take responsibility for any of our own goofs and I find this to be sad.

In my short time here I cannot even tell you how many times I have heard that just by owning a cheap knife that in no uncertain terms that the lock would fail, I would cut a tendon, and not be able to work and probably die in the gutter.
I am not exaggerating about this either.
Is this rational thought?

Enough of this, time now to sharpen a knife safely.

Magnanimous I do hope you continue with your posts and videos in MT&E.
This is truly a great resource, just wish it were more laid back.

 

[Magnaminous_G]

Thanks, willc. Don't worry, we're on the internet. Everybody is entitled to an opinion, things get misinterpreted, arguments start, etc. But everyone who posted here in this thread has said something useful, and the comments about safety are generally pretty good and spot-on. I'm here to learn, and I learned something in this thread. I'll keep on keeping on and will contribute here as long as people find it useful.