New to Whetstones!

V

vick818

Joined
Jan 27, 2026
Messages
7
Hey guys beginner here! Trying to learn as much as I can while improving my skills when sharpening. What’s a good small “pocket” to use for sharpening victorinox knives?
 
I'm admittedly biased since I designed them, but many folks enjoy our Arctic Fox pocket stones. They can be used with oil or water according to preference, or even dry in a pinch if need be. Fast-cutting and leaves a good semi-polished hazy mirror edge off the fine side, and USA-made.
 
Hello-
Assume you mean "pocket sharpener"? If so, DC4 or the Work Sharp Field Sharpener
 
I use the work sharp field sharpener. Which has a strop. Which is super useful. And guides which is helpful if you are new.


 
Victorinox's blades respond beautifully to most any type of sharpening media. That's a sure sign of quality steel and they do it well.

I favor quality stones in aluminum oxide for steels like these. So, stones from brands like Norton (their India stones) and Spyderco (ceramics) work very well for these blades. The Arctic Fox mentioned earlier is also aluminum oxide and has been very favorably reviewed here on the forums. I've been tempted to try that one out myself.

Diamond hones can also work well if you like a toothier, aggressive bite in your edges. Brands like DMT and Fallkniven (the DC4 hone mentioned earlier) would work well in grit ranges like Coarse (DMT's 325 / 45 micron) and Fine (DMT 600 and the DC4 at 600 as well, each at 25 micron), to Extra Fine (DMT 1200 / 9 micron). Make sure to use a very, very light touch with diamond on steels like these.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I'm admittedly biased since I designed them, but many folks enjoy our Arctic Fox pocket stones. They can be used with oil or water according to preference, or even dry in a pinch if need be. Fast-cutting and leaves a good semi-polished hazy mirror edge off the fine side, and USA-made.
Click to expand...
Sounds cool. Where can I check them out?
Obsessed with Edges said:
Victorinox's blades respond beautifully to most any type of sharpening media. That's a sure sign of quality steel and they do it well.

I favor quality stones in aluminum oxide for steels like these. So, stones from brands like Norton (their India stones) and Spyderco (ceramics) work very well for these blades. The Arctic Fox mentioned earlier is also aluminum oxide and has been very favorably reviewed here on the forums. I've been tempted to try that one out myself.

Diamond hones can also work well if you like a toothier, aggressive bite in your edges. Brands like DMT and Fallkniven (the DC4 hone mentioned earlier) would work well in grit ranges like Coarse (DMT's 325 / 45 micron) and Fine (DMT 600 and the DC4 at 600 as well, each at 25 micron), to Extra Fine (DMT 1200 / 9 micron). Make sure to use a very, very light touch with diamond on steels like these.
Click to expand...
where can I find the arctic fox?
 
vick818 said:
Thank you for that! Which one was the one you recommended for Victorinox pocket knives?
Click to expand...
Any of the Arctic Fox series would do fine, as they're all the same formulation, just with different shapes (though some are dual grit and others only the "fine" side, but it's the same formulation in either case.) But you had said "small 'pocket' " which I took to mean pocket stone. The field stone is a bit larger, but still compact and pack-friendly, so is often a popular one where folks don't intend to literally be carrying it in a pocket.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Any of the Arctic Fox series would do fine, as they're all the same formulation, just with different shapes (though some are dual grit and others only the "fine" side, but it's the same formulation in either case.) But you had said "small 'pocket' " which I took to mean pocket stone. The field stone is a bit larger, but still compact and pack-friendly, so is often a popular one where folks don't intend to literally be carrying it in a pocket.
Click to expand...
That pocket stone definitely caught my attention. Will be purchasing it. Thank you.
 
Happy to help, and I think you'll enjoy it! Like I said, I'm biased, but I did design it based on my own preferences in a general purpose stone for touchups when out and about with work to be done!
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Happy to help, and I think you'll enjoy it! Like I said, I'm biased, but I did design it based on my own preferences in a general purpose stone for touchups when out and about with work to be done!
Click to expand...
Last question! Do you have to soak the stones in water for a certain amount of time? Or is it splash and go?
 
vick818 said:
Last question! Do you have to soak the stones in water for a certain amount of time? Or is it splash and go?
Click to expand...
If using water, soaking them until they reach saturation is best, but you can also use running water or splashes of water and reapply as it absorbs into the stone. The stones can be used with oil or water according to preference, and can be used dry if you really need to, but don't let fines build up on the surface 'cause that's how you glaze a stone by accident. If using it dry, wipe it with the side of your hand OFTEN to clear the fines.
 
FWIW, which is exactly what you paid for my input, I would suggest picking up a bench stone or two. Pocket stones will do the trick, but I find bench stones much easier to work with. This was doubly true when I was first re-learning to sharpen.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top