Recommend a sharpener for backpacking.

Ankerson said:
The one I have really isn't that bad, it's the model M, 600 grit, and I know what I am doing with it so I don't scratch up my knives. It works very quick, just a few strokes and the edge is sharp again. I only use it on my field blades though when in the field and not really very often as my knives tend to hold an edge very well.
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I agree that some ot the Lap's of this style are smoother than others.. My main complaint other than the issue on being too corase is that they are also very short and somewhat more difficult to use than other sharpeners already mentioned here.. The other negative aspect of the device is the the shape. Round sharpeners are not nearly as versatile as an oval type sharpener. With the oval you can get all the way back to the start of the edge and it doesnt round the tips off as easily as the round type rods will. Round sharpeners are ok but I'll take an oval type sharpener over a round one everytime.
 
Thanks for the links guys. I know it was a mundane question that's probably been asked before but you all went out of your way to hook me up. Now I just have to quit being so indecisive and order something.
 
I've been carrying a Gerber honing steel in my truck since the late 1970's. It's an excellent tool for touching up a blade - great for prying, as well

honing%20steel.jpg
 
hoopster said:
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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Go with the Coarse/Fine. You have more options with it if, while camping, you find yourself REALLY, DESPERATELY needing to QUICKLY repair some major damage to your edge. The Coarse will make quicker work of that, and will also make it easier if you use it on a hatchet or shovel. And the fine side will be just right for quick touch-ups in the field.

The Fine/EF would be 'fine', so to speak, for the more typical light touch-ups and daily/weekly maintenance. What the heck, buy both if you want. But, if it were me, I'd make sure I at least had the Coarse/Fine with me when I'm camping.
 
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Obsessed with Edges said:
Go with the Coarse/Fine. You have more options with it if, while camping, you find yourself REALLY, DESPERATELY needing to QUICKLY repair some major damage to your edge. The Coarse will make quicker work of that, and will also make it easier if you use it on a hatchet or shovel. And the fine side will be just right for quick touch-ups in the field.

The Fine/EF would be 'fine', so to speak, for the more typical light touch-ups and daily/weekly maintenance. What the heck, buy both if you want. But, if it were me, I'd make sure I at least had the Coarse/Fine with me when I'm camping.
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I did go with the coarse/fine some time ago and have been carrying it in my day pack to work. It's been perfect for my knives and the occasional hand tool.
I just ordered one of the DMT credit card sized sharpeners in extra fine to possibly keep in my pocket for even finer edges. I will probably pick up a ceramic rod some day also and see how that compares for the finer touch ups.
 
Another vote for the Diafold coarse/fine. I have those for years and they have hardly worn out and I use them a lot.
 
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michaelmcgo said:
I use the DC4 (1" longer), but either would be perfect. You can't ask for a better, more compact system for touch ups.

A 4" ceramic rod is great for returning a razor edge in between uses. I bought a few of them when Spyderco discontinued theirs.
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+1
I've spent time in the sticks with various systems.
The DC3 or 4 fits the bill for me.
Just about anything will work and I've always had a thing for slipstones, but these DC3-4 stone combos are perfect for the bush.

my 2 cents
 
hoopster said:
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.
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All-in-one travel strop knife sharpening system
From: MaddyTheGoose | June 15, 2009 | 10,405 views

This is a travel strop system I've come up with so I can keep my knife nice and sharp while I'm on the trail. It's small, lightweight and can really bring an old dull knife back to life. I like it so much that it's not just my travel strop anymore, but my full time sharpening system. It's just nice to have everything you need right there in your hand
http://www.youtube.com/user/MaddyTheGoose#p/u/11/hkuF1dljmjE


White compound and my stropping system.
From: virtuovice | October 13, 2010 | 1,011 views

The Bark River white compound has changed my stropping system.
http://www.youtube.com/user/virtuovice#p/u/22/WhH7Ns_Clzw


Knives Ship Free
http://www.knivesshipfree.com/Sharpening-Supplies
otter_sharp_bluet.jpg
 
Was just checking email and seeing what you maniacs were up to.

Coincidentally, AG Russell just sent out a weekly special that included this.

http://www.agrussell.com/dmt-double-sided-diafold-sharpener/p/DMThhhFWEEE/

Would serve you pretty much anywhere for a conventionally beveled edge.

However, if your tools are convex edged (or you don't mind converting them), then the answer is even simpler. Grab an old leather belt that you never use anymore, or procure a strap of quality 8-9oz leather and make yourself a strop. Simply embed the smooth face of the leather with black polishing compound, or something of a similar level of abrasiveness and you're good to go. Just roll it up and stick it in your pack.

Lightweight, doesn't take up much space and the simplicity of sharpening might just turn you into a convex edge freak like me.

Hope this helps,

Taylor
 
+ for Dual sided Diafolds. Gray/Blue and Red/Green should get you anywhere you need to go long term and they're light!
 
How long do you stay out? What knife do you have and what do you do with it? You could go for weeks without sharpening when you're just opening MREs with a hard blade, or you could need to resharpen in the middle of cleaning a moose if you use a softer blade.

Personally, I find little use for sharpening as I just strop regularly on a leather strop loaded with chromium oxide. I only take my Fallkniven A1 anymore and it holds an edge a long time. After a day of chopping and batoning hardwood I only need a couple of passes on the strop to get it back to shaving. So I just carry the strop (2ft strip of leather) that I hang off of a tree or tension between my foot and my knee. For emergencies I keep a piece of 1000 grit sandpaper in my pack.
 
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