Sharpener for camping trip

BOK

BOK

Joined
Apr 16, 2002
Messages
2,413
Will be leaving in 2 weeks or so and need something suitable for my folder (ATS 34 AFCK) and for my Ka-Bar. It'll be a 3 night trip.

I usually have my Gatco tri-seps with me but I think for the Ka-Bar it may be a little small.

I thought of bringing my 204 with me but I don't want to break or lose it.

So I'm looking for something more compact than the 204 but larger than the Gatco. I'm okay with free-hand sharpening with a stone but am hestiant tp carry one thats too large and heavy. Also I don't think the smaller ones will be that effective on my Ka-Bar.

What do you guys take with you on your trips and do you have any suggestions for me?
 
If you don't mind the weight, take your sharpmaker-- that's what the case is for :)
I've taken mine camping several times and it's held up just fine.
--Josh
 
EZ-Lap diamond rod. Rod fits into brass sleeve that becomes the handle when in use. Has its own little leather sheath... Very nice. Made for taking along when you want something really compact - like a thick pen...
 
Maybe buy the smith's sharpening system. It is the same idea as the 204 only inferioer.

U could always just bring the rods on the 204 to maintain the blade. Thats what I plan to do, bring rods to maintain them free hand.
 
BOK: go to Mountain Equipment Co-op and get the DMT Diafold with the coarse and fine. They fold up kinda like balisongs I think.
Last time I ask someone recommended that to me.
 
Any foldable diamond hone, if you can get a 2 sided hone, get a coarse, and fine.

If you can only carry 1 get a medium grit hone.
 
Thanks for the help all. I'm leaning toward the diamond foldable hones now. I could just throw that into my pack and not worry about it breaking or taking up too much space.

I thought of the EZ lap stuff but I don't think it has enough surface area on it to sharpen my Ka-Bar quickly and efficiently.

Thought of the Smith's system but I don't want anything ceramic for fear of breaking them.
 
I always take a 6" DMT Fine Benchstone with me, with it i can sharpen everything from a Machete or Axe to a small sub 3" folder.
 
I recommend the 204, but if you don't feel comfortable taking it then try out a DMT Diafold (fine/ultra fine). I got one of these and usually take it with me to work, just in case I need it. ;)

Check it out HERE.
 
Small, lightweight and sharp dual sided diamond hone whose handles fold back to protect the abrasive surfaces while traveling. It's 5" closed and 9" open so that means there's about a 4" x 1" sharpening surface on each side. They're a about 5/16" to 3/8" thick. You can get three combos:

Fine/extra fine - 600/1200 grit

Coarse/Fine - 325/600 grit

Coarse/Extra-course - 325/220

They seem to sell for under $50.00 and weigh about the same as a knife about the same size. From what I know (never owned DMT but am considering a few) DMT's use stronger mono-crystals and hold up longer than EZ-Laps.

This seems like the ultimate on portable shapreners.

I gotta buy one soon (slthough most of my EDCs will got three days without sharpening)

jmx
 
It is my very first-choice field sharpener for several years. Compact, comfortable to work free hand, works pretty decently on the blades up to 6 inches. It is far less shock vulnerable than any thin and long ceramic rod based sharpener and also lighter.
My choice is fine/u-fine combo because I like to touch up my blades slightly practically after each more or less serious cutting chore.
For someone who prefer to get the blade decently dull first and then to sharpen it coarse/fine combo probably could work better.
 
Those folding DMT sharpeners are very handy. I always have one in my pack.
 
How about also bringing a smooth steel, like RazorEdgeSystems.com's portable folding smooth steel? That way, you could extend the time between sharpenings.

I'm still a beginner at sharpening, but thought I'd mention this. Juranitch says in his book that steeling will keep the blade cutting and reduce the need for sharpening. I haven't done enough testing yet with mine to learn how true this is.

Johnny
 
Sharpen your knives before you leave...they shouldn't need sharpening on a 3-day trip.
Now that I've said that:rolleyes:, I usually carry a butcher's steel, and maybe a 800 grit ceramic steel in my pack, if I'm going to be out for a few days. They weigh next to nothing, and take up little space because of their shape. Along with the files on the Leatherman Wave, that combo will let you do everything from a light touchup to major repair on a damaged edge.
I like Buzzbait's idea of a piece of a mouse pad, and some wet/dry paper, too. Very light and compact.
 
Hi Bok

The 204 is too big, and you are fine with free-hand? Then how about the Spyderco double stuff? thats what I carry. If you feel you need a more course grit then take your choice of emery paper and simply wrap it around the stone. You will have three grits and a possible strop (the leather case) all in a very small package.:)

Will
 
Thanks everyone for the handy sharpening gear tips.

BOK, I don't see how an ATS-34 blade would really need to be sharpened over the course of a 3 day camping trip. Food prep wouldn't do it. If you're cutting that much wood then a folding bow saw would be a better companion than sharpening gear. You didn't mention working game carcases, though I suppose it would be good to have a fresh sharp blade for that.

My sharpening station lives on a workbench corner in my shop. While packing the car I spend a couple minutes there with whatever blades I'm taking with me. I've never been tempted to take the stones and strop along.

Regards, Dave
 
Forgot about the diafolds. They have some advantages over the EZ-Lap rod, not the least of which is that you get two grits for about half the weight! I have a 220/325 diafold and it does work very well. I use the EZ-Lap rod as a fine hone. I've had it for years now, and it is still going strong, though it has become much finer than it was to begin with.

Over time, the diafolds also will become <i>finer</i>. The coarse/fine combination is probably a good one, but so far I've been very satisfied with the xcoarse/coarse combo. I don't seem to need anything finer than coarse on a field knife.
 
Likely I'll end up with the Diafolds. Those are pretty much what I was looking for.

I might not even end up sharpening the blades on my trip. I'm not sawing wood with them and I'm not skinning game. In fact, I don't even think I have the need to push the knives all that hard.

But I want the sharpener anyway just in case...so thanks again...as always the help is much appreciated...
 
BOK: bring one...
I regretted it because my friends quickly took off the edge on the hatchet that I brought.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top