Recommend a sharpener for backpacking.

hoopster

hoopster

Joined
Jan 12, 2007
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I'm looking to purchase something to sharpen my blades with and would probably carry this in my book bag on a daily basis or at least in my backpack when camping.
What grit would be the best for general touching up an edge?
What type (diamond, waterstone, etc.) would be best compromise of size and weight?
Thanks!
 
I think you need a rather rough diamond sharpener, For backpacking its more important to get a good working edge without to much work even if the edge is damaged than having the laste touch av sharpness. For an extra feature a combo with caramic is good. A Fallkniven DC3 is a good freehand stone with diamonds on one side and ceramic on the other. At the length 3 its not heawy or bulky eather and it comes in a protecting leatherslip. Bosse
 
I usually keep one of those little folding DMT brand sharpeners in my pack. I haven't really compared this to other brands or anything, but the results I've been getting have been more than sufficient
 
dmt alligner kit?
takes the guess work out of it :D

Or a fallkniven dc4
I like the extra inch it has over the dc 3
 
I just made this little shirt pocket size sharpener. 3x4 by 5/16 thick. Soft backing on one side for convex, hard surface on the other side for other grinds. 2000 grit wet/drt sand paper.. Touches up edges fast and easy.
 

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I appreciate the replies guys. The links are helpful also! I'll look into these. I thought the diamond ones would be preferable over stones due to weight. Looks like that's the general consensus.
 
I like the Diafold Fine/Extra Fine but you wont go wrong with any of them. Light, large, fast.
 
I carry a Lansky Puck for the axe and machete and a Smith's 1x4 inch arkansas stone (I believe it is 800 grit) with some 1500 grit sandpaper. Allows me to get a nice fine edge while keeping weight and volume to a minimum.
 
go with the d.m . t. foldup [diafold]
can be had with combinations of 2 different grits
keep one in each of my trucks & my pack i take hunting
nothing beats diamond for good edges & ease of sharpening
weighs about 2 oz.
 
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i like the
eze-lap diamond hone and stone.
realy light and no surface is needed to set it on. and their cheep too i got my medium for $7cad
LPAK.jpg
 
I have an accusharp tungsten pull-type sharpener that does a remarkable job when you want a quick touchup. Should work great for hiking and camping. True, it's not a stone, but it is fast and any idiot can use it.
 
ziggy925 said:
I have an accusharp tungsten pull-type sharpener that does a remarkable job when you want a quick touchup. Should work great for hiking and camping. True, it's not a stone, but it is fast and any idiot can use it.
Click to expand...

Thats a good way to destroy a knife, the world would be better if those were never made.
 
I like to use the DMT diafold, and/or a two-sided strop (rough side has coarse black compound, smooth side has green fine compound).
 
DMT also has keychain-sized Diafolds -- very compact and weigh nothing, but definitely workable in a pinch.

I like the regular-sized coarse/fine Diafold as an all-around travel sharpener, and some sandpaper for things convex.
 
Okay, I've just about settled on the DMT but not sure which two grits to choose. Assuming I've got a belt on that I can strop with and need to resharpen after normal camp chores (hard use but no knife throwing or chopping rocks :D).
Should I opt for the coarse/fine or the fine/extra fine? There may also be the possibility of sharpening a hatchet or shovel.
 
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