Sharpening a convex blade in the field.

bowdriller · Feb 25, 2007

Whats the best method of sharpeing a convex edge in the field.

It would seem that one would have to use a diamond or whetstone and put a bevel on the edge, as it would be cumbersome to carry sandpaper and a mousepad!

pedropcola · Feb 25, 2007

Old leather belt loaded with stropping compound would take care of lot of in the field needs. Won't take up much space in your pack either.

db · Feb 25, 2007

Would carrying sandpaper really be more cumbersome than carrying a diamond or waterstone? I've never tried it but I've read some dirt or sand on wood works to put a coarse edge on.

Jared Stenoien · Feb 25, 2007

i've heard of people putting strop compound on their pant leg and stropping on their thigh

Grampa · Feb 25, 2007

Take a small piece of cardboard, one that will fit in a sandwich sized baggie.

Put two different grit compounds on it, one on each side.

Place in baggie; put baggie in your pack or pocket, and you're good to go.

Buck268 · Feb 25, 2007

Well I have a little, maybe 2 or 3 inch pocket stone in a nice leath pound, I loaded the leather with mothers polish on one side, although I'd like something a little coarser to put on the other. In any case, this is my general in-field carry. The stone is ok I guess, but regular stropping after use on the loaded leather really helps keep on edge on my carbon slipjoints.

bikermikearchery · Feb 25, 2007

Buck has a diamond pocket rod type sharpener that works well on my recurved blades.
Lansky bogbone ceramic will sharpen anything. A little smooth for damaged or really dull blades but it will work. Very small and inexpensive, will last until you lose it.

pinetree · Mar 2, 2007

I have a 1/8"x8"x4" piece of poplar wood onto which I use binder clips to attach sand paper and a piece of leather. I also will finish up with a loaded piece of leather.

I keep it in my field box.

tjg

thombrogan · Mar 2, 2007

I use a Spyderco Double-Stuff or a DMT Coarse/Fine when away from my kit of goodies. The compression of my hands' various tissues (as well as the shakiness from all of the blood in my caffeine stream) makes the edges convexed. Usually raise a burr on both sides using the Fikes Fiddle-Playing method and then deburr with alternating edge-leading strokes. Ain't pretty, but it cuts pretty.