Pocket sharpener question

The problem with pull through sharpeners of any sort is that one side is always being sharpened more than the other. The last side to be contacted might look okay but the other will always have a burr that will only increase in size the more the tool is used. If the knife happens to be thin enough then the edge might make contact with the ceramic rods and do some sort of "sharpening" but not very well.

A single ceramic rod a DMT diafold, DC3 or 4, sandpaper, or anything but a pull through sharpener would be a wise choice.
 
knifenut1013 said:
The last side to be contacted might look okay but the other will always have a burr that will only increase in size the more the tool is used.

A single ceramic rod a DMT diafold, DC3 or 4, sandpaper, or anything but a pull through sharpener would be a wise choice.
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I would have to wonder how a single ceramic rod is any different to 2 crock stick in that regard - either way one side will always have been sharpened after the other one. I would think that one stroke sharpening both sides would be fairly equivalent to one stroke on one side followed by one stroke on the other side. Every pass would be the same - left side (say) followed by right side, it shouldn't matter that it is ALWAYS left followed by right, each side will still end up with the same number of strokes.
The bigger problem I have is that the angle is preset and though it might suit some of your knives it wont work with others - this make the tool rather limited. Because of this I agree that a DMT Diafold or sandpaper would be MUCH more versatile - being able to work with ALL your knives.

There is also the problem that a sharpener with 2 crossed crock sticks may be too course for one job and not course enough for another - you only have that one grade of sharpening available. A DMT Diafold has 2 grades available and with sandpaper you can take several different grits (I have 5 with my field sharpener). For my SAK & LM which are the knives that my crock stick sharpener worked the best on I now find a strop is quicker & easier & does a better job - I no longer use my crock stick sharpener at all.
 
When doing it by hand with a free rod you have more control over what you are doing. With the fixed pull through sharpener you must force the edge into the V then pull, even if you try to do light strokes its still far more pressure than freehand thus creating more of a burr. I don't think having the rods crossed, direction of grinding, and amount of focused pressure are helping things either. Wish I could explain it better but for now thats it.

Truthfully though, if you typing to post here then you have more knife knowledge than the guy buying his knife at the gas station. If you have gained enough knowledge to start buying quality knives then you owe it to yourself to buy quality sharpening tools to properly maintain them. Cheap tools like posted by the OP are for those with no care of their blade or cutting edge, its a gimmick to those un-educated on sharpening.
 
Jeez, guys! Think for a minute!
Someone who is questioning the use of this little pocket sharpener is NOT going to be setting the same criteria for a finished edge as you or me. (He even says he'd be happy enough with using a river rock to sharpen.) We would never use such a device because we know that the sorts of edges we want can't be gotten with them. But for someone who just wants a serviceable edge, and happens to have a blade with the geometry to match these pocket sharpeners, it's going to work just fine.

Later on down the time line the OP might wish to learn how to get a really good edge by freehanding. Later on down the time line he might actually want polished edges and perfectly matched bevels. Right now all he wants to do is have a way to get an edge that can cut his normal daily stuff. I doubt he's going to try to push-cut toilet paper. I doubt that he's considering tree-topping hair. As he says; "if they aren't that great I think I'll just find a flat stone in a river to use." Doesn't sound as if he's too concerned about a slight burr from the pocket device.

Stitchawl
 
Here's my credit-card size DMT diamond stone....fits in the wallet, don't leave home without it.
Sorry bout the fuzzy picture, but it's how I feel this morning....

baldrick002.jpg
 
Eat Carbs said:
Great responses guys.
I am looking for some type of pocket sized sharpener that I could take out camping with me to touch-up my blade at the end of the day. I plan on getting the Rat 3 and Esee Junglas blades, which are 1095 steel and I'd like to keep them in good shape. I plan on getting some good sharpening stones for home use a little down the road.

I had something like this in mind: http://www.fast-autos.net/diecast-c...-sharpening-stone-extra-fine_250358203024.jpg
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I think someone already mentioned Spyderco doublestuff:

http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=87

Street prices are around $25-$30.
 
Another :thumbup: for a DMT. The one I use is less than 4" long X 1" wide x 1/4" thick folded. No polished edges with this thing but certainly paper slicing sharp - a great pocket sized tool for maintaining your knife & axe edges in the field.
 
stitchawl said:
Jeez, guys! Think for a minute!
Someone who is questioning the use of this little pocket sharpener is NOT going to be setting the same criteria for a finished edge as you or me. (He even says he'd be happy enough with using a river rock to sharpen.) We would never use such a device because we know that the sorts of edges we want can't be gotten with them. But for someone who just wants a serviceable edge, and happens to have a blade with the geometry to match these pocket sharpeners, it's going to work just fine.

Later on down the time line the OP might wish to learn how to get a really good edge by freehanding. Later on down the time line he might actually want polished edges and perfectly matched bevels. Right now all he wants to do is have a way to get an edge that can cut his normal daily stuff. I doubt he's going to try to push-cut toilet paper. I doubt that he's considering tree-topping hair. As he says; "if they aren't that great I think I'll just find a flat stone in a river to use." Doesn't sound as if he's too concerned about a slight burr from the pocket device.

Stitchawl
Click to expand...


I never meant for it to sound like I don't care about my knives, or the method I use to sharpend them. I'm sorry if I came across like that. What I was implying with that statement is I would rather use something that I could have a little more control with what I was going to use rather than the pic I posted with my original post.

I do take very good care of my knives and I do sharpen them enough to shave my face, though I'm sure I can get them sharper. As of now I use a 5 stone Lansky system, I also use a freehand stone set, and I strop after I use them.

I'm really just asking if the pull through pocket sharpener would be detrimental to the knife's edge, and if it would be a good tool to have in the bush for touch up purposes only, not a primary method of sharpening.

Here is a pic of my knives that I've sharpened with both methods. I know there are still small scratches in the edges, but I am still learning about sharpening and how it is properly done. My ultimate goal is to have all my knives have a mirror finished edge without visible scratches. Like I said I'm still learning :D

And I'm not going to get a pull through pocket sharpener. I'm thinking I'll need to find something else to pack with me.
DSC07248.jpg
 
Knifenut1013, do you have a video how to sharpen knives? I just skimmed your link for 'The first sharpening' and I want to learn how to do that. Thanks for all your input also.
 
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