sharpening pucks

[KarlMaldensNose]

Can puck-shaped axe sharpening stones do anything for a hatchet/axe that my collection of strops (cowhide and horsebutt leather, hard felt, MDF board), abrasive compounds (diamond sprays/pastes, chromium oxide), sandpaper/3M micro-abrassive sheets and mousepad, Edge Pro waterstones, and Sharpmaker ceramic crock sticks can't do? How about these files?





If I were to pick up a puck, what are the pros and cons of these two products in relation to each other. The Gransfors ($45 CND) is natural sandstone and the other one ($16 CND) is aluminum oxide. Is the sandstone really worth $30 more, or is the GB name attached to it inflating its price?

 

[Ookami]

The Gränsfors seems nice, I handled on at a shop. It is a very smooth finishing stone.


Ookami

 

[BryFry]

I think the main advantage a puck has over all the other sharpening gear you listed is convenience and portability. It is small enough to fit in your pocket, and works fine for touching up heavy use chopping tools. Also they are generally coarser than most of the stropping gear you mentioned, so they work better to smooth out bad nicks and blade damage that can occur out in the field.

-I'm not sure which is the better puck of the ones you are looking at. Personally I prefer to carry a double sided folding DMT stone, but I'm sure either of those pucks would work.

If your on a budget, I'm sure you could get by with the cheaper puck. just use it for out in the field touch-ups, and use your preffered gear when you get home.