Razor Edge Guide Sharpener Question

T

taiChiFighter

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Aug 20, 2011
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I know nothing about sharpening and need something that is effective, portable and useable in the field. I understand that guided systems like Lansky or DMT are good but only really effective on blades up to 4". The Apex is better but too expensive and cumbersome to carry into the field. The Razor Edge Guide system looks OK. Does anyone know if it works better that the Lansky or DMT on larger 6-7" blades?
 
taiChiFighter said:
I know nothing about sharpening and need something that is effective, portable and useable in the field. I understand that guided systems like Lansky or DMT are good but only really effective on blades up to 4". The Apex is better but too expensive and cumbersome to carry into the field. The Razor Edge Guide system looks OK. Does anyone know if it works better that the Lansky or DMT on larger 6-7" blades?
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The short answer is 'no, it doesn't.' I bought my first RazorEdge set from Juranitch at a trade show in Houston back in '73. Loved the idea of not using any oil on a stone. Loved the idea of having a blade clamped firmly in a guide to maintain a perfectly consistent angle. And I loved the results I got on an edge. It works perfectly and easily for blades under 6". It really shines when sharpening Wharncliff blades! And, yes, you 'can' sharpen longer blades, though it's not so easy.

But... It takes off a lot of metal, both from the blade and from the guide. It's not the easiest thing to set a precise angle. The stones wear away very quickly. And it takes some getting used to to be able to properly sharpen a deep bellied blade such as a skinner or caper. I found that if I wanted to use it often, I needed to be OK with replacing the guide and the stones from time to time. I eventually bought all three guides, though when I switched to replaceable razors for my hunting arrows I stopped using the arrow sharpening guide.

It's a viable tool in my kit, but not one that I go to very often. The DMT is a far better choice.


Stitchawl
 
taiChiFighter said:
Isn't the DMT limited to even shorter 4" blades? I really need something for 6" to 7" blades outdoors blades.
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I replied in your other related thread also. Don't worry about not being able to handle a larger blade with the DMT clamp. It'll do fine with blades up to at least 8" or so, and maybe larger. With the dedicated Aligner hones or the Dia-Folds/Magna-Guide, position the clamp near the middle of the blade's length. If used in conjunction with a larger bench hone, the clamp could be positioned closer to the ricasso, if need be. The extra length & width of the bench hone will give greater leeway to reach all of the blade's length.

[video=youtube;iZOM_3Xi8O0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZOM_3Xi8O0[/video]
 
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That's actually my preferred way of using the DMT guide, although instead of using a bench stone I use wet/dry sandpaper and finish with polishing tapes. Much faster on larger blades than when using the DMT stones.

The DMT clamp and a few sheets of sandpaper sits inside my pack without adding any weight to it, and makes field sharpening a breeze.


Stitchawl
 
stitchawl said:
That's actually my preferred way of using the DMT guide, although instead of using a bench stone I use wet/dry sandpaper and finish with polishing tapes. Much faster on larger blades than when using the DMT stones.

The DMT clamp and a few sheets of sandpaper sits inside my pack without adding any weight to it, and makes field sharpening a breeze.


Stitchawl
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Don't you need a flat surface for the stone and guide? Where do you find a table in the "field"? (I need something that will work in the bush)
 
taiChiFighter said:
Don't you need a flat surface for the stone and guide? Where do you find a table in the "field"? (I need something that will work in the bush)
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You only need a small flat surface. About half the size of a paperback novel. If you are going into the woods long enough to need to resharpen a knife, you 'should' also be carrying various emergency items. My pack ALWAYS has something like a larger 'Altoids' tin containing my survival kit. Flat enough and large enough to sharpen on. If I'm going overnight, I'll probably have a small cooking pot, the bottom of which is more than large enough to sharpen on. And If I'm going for a few nights out, I'll certainly have a book to read... Again, more than large enough to sharpen on. And if those don't work, there is always shale, slate, or other flat surfaces all around that get the job done. Worse comes to worse, you can always just carry a flat sheet of hard plastic the size of a paperback novel. Still no size or weight involved as when carrying stones.



Stitchawl
 
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