Sharpening a Poliwog with a DMT Diafold (in the field)

Judging by the number of replies, I am not the only one a bit puzzled here. Are you at all familiar with freehand sharpening? Essentially, the Diafold is just a whetstone, and you use it like you would any other stone. I find I get the best results from mine by placing it flat on a hard surface, and holding it firmly in place with my left hand. I then stroke the knife to be sharpened along the stone edge first. Depending on the condition of the edge, I will either alternate sides (for touch ups) or stroke one side until I get to the edge, then flip it over and do the other side. Once the bevels are established, I alternate. I usually do all this on a X-coarse/coarse (Black and blue) and use the Fine/X-fine like yours to polish the edge. In the field, I often leave the edge at coarse or X-coarse finish, depending on what I am doing at the time.
 
Yeah, what yablanowitz said. :thumbup: If you already have a good edge and just need to touch it up occasionally after use then you've got a perfect tool for it IMHO. The red side can even handle some more major wear and tear if you're patient with it. You can use water on DMT stones if you want to, but it isn't necessary at all.
 
Sorry if I wasn't exactly clear in my post, I am not familiar with freehand sharpening and want to learn, but wasn't sure how to use the Diafold properly, it did not really come with any instructions.. So putting the Diafold on a flat surface works best for you yablanowitz? I was trying to handhold both the knife and the Diafold, kind of like using a steel, does that sound terrible wrong?
 
I hold mine in hand. Keep your elbow down by your side, helps in control (with everything you do with your hands) I point the sharpener away from my center, holding it in my left hand, palm up. Use it like you're peeling a carrot.
 
Just saw this. http://www.buckknives.com/sharpening.php

There are also standard books and a couple of good DVDs that demonstrate/teach sharpening. I don't know if I would learn on a nice knife, new knife. I think most of us had a learning curve and I for one would start on something less impressive.

I teach sharpening to my students and made this page for them.

http://www.squidoo.com/oboereedknifesharpening

You will see the main sharpening books that most of us have read or use, links to articles on sharpening and near the bottom Murray Carter's DVD and the Shapton DVDs.
 
annr said:
I think most of us had a learning curve and I for one would start on something less impressive.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I love Opinels and one of those would be a good inexpensive knife to practice on.

TOCAN, I didn't see your other thread until after I posted above. Techniques for sharpening will vary, but one thing that is pretty much constant is that you need to maintain consistent angles. It's not too hard to do, but it does take practice and concentration.
 
I have found that trying to use the Diafold like a steel will result in a convex edge - if I'm lucky - or a butter knife edge if I'm not. It's too hard for me to keep my angle consistent with both the blade and sharpener in motion. Bear in mind that I learned on benchstones first, then progressed to the Diafolds, so I am far more comfortable if the stone is stationary. Your results may vary, but if you are not already adept at sharpening freehand, I think you are making it harder to learn than is necessary.
 
Thanks Guys! I have been practicing on every blade in the house, seems to be working pretty well, I definitely need more experience before I touch my other Spyderco's and Kershaws, I am a little afraid that I am going to change the angle of the original blade, but it seems that guys on here do that depending on the knifes duties.

Annr, I will check out your links today, thank you!

I love this Forum!!!
 
Freehand sharpening is a wonderful skill to have.

In regards to edge angles, the out of box edge will cut, but not as well as it could. A lot of us here like to thin the edge out by sharpening the knife at a more acute angle, some more acute than others. Play around with this on cheaper knives with good steel so you can see what you like. Opinels, Moras, Kershaw Vapors, Byrds etc are all great for playing around with edge angles to see what you like on a knife.
 
Another relatively unknown method for sharpening with the Diafold style sharpeners is to use them as you would a file on an edge. Hold the blade edge firmly at the desired angle to be applied to the edge (edge up) and push the Diafold flat surface straight across the blade starting at the ricasso and ending at the tip. The rest of the mechanics about the sharpening process are the same. It's extremely easy once you try it a few times and is less sensitive to maintaining a consistant blade angle.

NJ
 
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