Sharpening for survival

catmath 1911, I like it. With a little finesse and a minimum of effort, it puts a shaving edge on every knife I carry into the field. I figure there are much better sharpeners out there, but for what I need it to do, the Gatco does a good job.
 
Originally posted by dartanyon
I thought I'd add another tip I learned from a meatworks butcher in the bush. Its a method of making a steel and the one I have still works great. I'll see hw well I can remember the process.

You start with an old rat-tail file and grind all the teeth off till its smooth. You then hang the file blank by the handle with a piece of string. Next you get an iodine solution and dab the solution on the file blank with a piece of cotton wool or a toothbrush. You then leave the blank hanging for about 12 hours I think. Next you scrub the remaining iodine solution off to stop the etching process.
You now have a steel with very small pits all over it and each pit has a very sharp edge for shaving the blade edge. I hope I got it right.
If anyone can correct or improve this process please do so. :)
Click to expand...

Seems like an awful lot of work to make something you can buy for 10-20 dollars, depending on the quality you want. Also, something to think about is that a steel is intended to reshape an edge that has rolled, not grind a new edge. Some steels have grooves for sharpening, but again, the original use for a steel is to reform an edge. Makes an edge last much longer between sharpenings. You can also use the smoothe spine of another knife as a makeshift steel. YMMV.

Mike
 
Dartanyon,

You are absolutely spot on!! Talk to me some more and I will tell you about the absolute best way to sharpen so called "Field Knives" Workin Knives", "Survival Knives" etc., etc. Forget the Yankee obsession for gadgets / gear freak stuff and I will show you a knife sharpening system that will cost less than $10!!

And it ain't rocket science mate!
 
Does anyone remember the name of the diamond rod sharpener that is stored in a brass tube? I had one, but it seems that I've lost it.
 
a little trick that I've used for 30 year's, is to use a fire steel to burnish the edge before it's to far gone.Just go slow otherwise you'll have a fire shower:)
 
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