Pocket sharpener

B

Buck268

Joined
Nov 5, 2006
Messages
1,864
Not really planning to pull the trigger any time soon but want to keep my eye out. What would you recommend for a pocket sharpener for a BOB or similar. Might need it for kabar or SOG Seal Pup, or even sak but my EDC is usually a spyderco in either VG10, S30V or 13crMoV.

My first instinct is for something from DMT but which grade would be best? Leaning towards the red "fine" which is 600 grit IIRC. Any other options?
 
I have a three-plate pack of the DMT credit-card diamond plates in coarse, fine, and extra-fine. I've found them tremendously handy, I'm actually crazy enough to carry all three in my wallet. (Really, just the coarse and fine would do for most quick touch-ups). I've only had *these* DMTs for a few months (I've had three of their bench-size plates for years), and I'm already losing count of the number of times I've pulled 'em out. Not so much for my own knives, but usually for a knife or tool I'm working with. Being able to give that wood chisel that you just drove through a knot a quick swipe on the EF before the next cut, or fix that lousy paring knife you got stuck with in your friend's kitchen is REALLY handy.
 
I like the DMT Diafold double sided. Can not go wrong with DMT. A good start is the fine/course stone.
 
I like to carry a dmt extra fine credit card, and a Diafold with the extra fine/extra extra fine combo. This set up takes care of most of my sharpening touch ups.
 
I have a couple of the DMT Diafolds that 1Ronin mentioned. They work well and you get 4 different grits in two packages. I also have a couple of the diamond rods that Emerson sells and they're very effective, too. The DMTs just give more surfaces in about the same package.
 
My go to sharpener for convex edges/grinds is the CBN 16 micron on thin, hard leather. It lasts a very long time, cuts all steels and is very convenient. I just have to keep it from getting wet in rain/snow.

For v-edges I noticed that rather "sharpening" away with fine "touch up stones", I apply a quick microbevel with a coarse stone and refine it a bit. I prefer the DMT diamond coarse, then the Spyderco ceramic in medium, then fine. Pretty much the same as the Spyderco Sharpmaker setup. So for a "field" set, most convenient is the 4x1 inch DMT diasharp in coarse and the Spyderco double stuff. Good alternative to the 4 inch DMT is the coarse DMT credit card.

I have yet to try out the ERU from Fred Rowe. This is a very convenient "pull through" sharpener - I know, but before u cringe, this is a very well made tool with good reviews from respected people here on BF. Check it out: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1132024-ERU-adjustable-knife-sharpener-for-sale
 
1Ronin said:
I like the DMT Diafold double sided. Can not go wrong with DMT. A good start is the fine/course stone.
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+1, I carry one daily and I use it for my daily carry and work knives. I am a Butcher and our night cleaning crew is hard on knives, like dropping them from shoulder high into a stainless steel sink that is near waist level. The coarse/fine is a good combo, fine/xtra fine is kept at home for my knives.
 
I recently got a Lansky Blade Medic that was on sale... Quite the useful little tool! I can't see much use for it around the house, but I'm definitely considering this for a go bag.

It has carbide and cermanic sharpeners at pre-set angles (can't remember what angle), for very rough and quick sharpening. As well as 1.5" ceramic strip on the top that is slightly triangular, so you can sharpen serrations and/or recurves with it (at just regular edges). Also has a fold out diamond steel cone (it tapers to a very small diameter, I wouldn't suggest it as practice but you could even use it as makeshift punch) for sharpening just about any kind of serrations out there. It's small and relatively light (probably about 3-4 oz) Pretty nifty for $9.

cutlerylover recently did a review on it.
 
+1 to the Fallkniven & DMT options mentioned above. I have & use (at any given time) a Fallkniven DC4, two of the DMT credit cards in Fine/EF, and two of the DMT 'Mini-Sharp' keychain hones in Coarse/Fine. I also have DMT Dia-Folds in C/F & EF/EEF, and have found them to be very handy. If limited to only one grit, I think the DMT 'Fine' (600/25µ) is likely the most useful; it'll be aggressive enough to do heavy repairs on an edge, and still fine enough for touch-ups, to leave a great working/utility edge. Fallkniven's DC3/DC4 hones (diamond side) are very similar to the DMT 'Fine', BTW. With a double-sided option like a Dia-Fold, the Coarse/Fine (325/45µ & 600/25µ) would be my first choice. The Coarse DMT would be faster in major repairs & rebevelling, especially on larger/thicker blades.

For recurves or serrations in particular, I've also been using an old Eze-Lap model 'M' hone (pocket diamond rod-type that screws into it's own brass handle). I've had that one for 20+ years, and have only recently begun to discover it's real usefulness (after getting my own sharpening act together ;)).


David
 
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We finally have our website up for the ERU sharpener. http://edgeru.com

Check us out. We are still tweaking it but we are getting there.

Comments are welcomed, Fred

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Has anybody used one of those pocket sized diamond rods? Would be nice to hit serrated edges if needed but would it sacrifice any speed or effectiveness on plain edges?
 
Buck268 said:
Has anybody used one of those pocket sized diamond rods? Would be nice to hit serrated edges if needed but would it sacrifice any speed or effectiveness on plain edges?
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I previously mentioned the Eze-Lap model 'M' rod sharpener for recurves/serrations; it also works very well on plain edges (I actually use it on plain edges more often than not). The key with rod-type sharpeners is to use feather-light pressure, because the small contact area focuses pressure. This can also be a good thing, because the focused pressure will also contribute to it's working speed, so long as it's done with a light touch. Use it very lightly, as if brushing dust from the surface of the rod with the edge of your blade, and no heavier.

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David
 
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The Eze-Lap M is probably my favorite portable sharpener. I have a cordura flashlight pouch that contains it , a DC-4 , and a triangle Lansky ceramic dog-bone type sharpener. I've used this set-up for many years after trying many different compact sharpeners and I find that combo works the best for me.

I have a few of the Eze-lap M's , but my first one from about 15 years ago still works fine. I read somewhere once that they use a combination of polycrystalline diamond and monocrystalline diamonds on their sharpening tools. The mono doesn't wear fast and the polycrystalline diamonds micro-fracture as they wear , producing new sharp facets. All I know is that their products last a long time and produce good results. If I had to grab only one compact sharpening tool , that would be the one.
 
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