Sharpening S35VN

M

markroi

Joined
Feb 28, 2021
Messages
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Hello bladeforums, newbie here and this is my first post.

I've been getting into bushcraft for a few months now and I was thinking of replacing my Moras. I was thinking of buying a folder, Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter - the s35vn one as I couldn't find the XHP version here.

How difficult is it to sharpen s35vn in the field? I have a few portable sharpeners laying around - a DC4 stone, a Camillus glide sharpener, a Lansky turn box (ceramic rods). Which one would be better for this steel?
 
Ok thanks, so the DC4 should work fine.
Any further advice on how to sharpen it correctly in the field? I don't want to ruin my new knife lol. I've been searching for a while and tried to read a sharpening FAQ here at bladeforums but the link was dead.
 
I've used a Spyderco gauntlet with ceramic rods and a DC521 to sharpen my Snody big boss in S35VN. It was easy to get a good edge on it.
 
DMT Duofolds work great on any steel including S35Vn -- I always tuck one into my day pack. Coarse/fine combo is probably the most useful but you can also get single-sided Duofolds.
 
I agree with A Alberta Ed . The DMT Diafolds will do an excellent job of maintaining your blades. I have used them for years.
 
The DC4 will work fine, I have one of those and a DC3 and they are excellent pocket sharpeners.

If you ever want to change your angle or remove chips you may want to invest in something at least 6x2”, I prefer 8x3” but not all stones come that big.
 
The DC4 is a rather small stone and sharpening with one while holding it in the hand or between thumb and index finger is a dangerous activity. You're going to cut yourself sooner or later. Been there and done that, and though it took me hundreds of sharpenings over a few years until it finally happened, I'm almost fully cured of such pocket stones. So consider yourself warned.

The DMTs are almost as compact as a DC4, have a much higher quality diamond layer, and come with a handle that makes it nearly impossible to cut yourself while sharpening. I would strongly recommend getting one. For me, the DMT Diafold Fine/Extrafine Hardcoat stands out. The diamond layer is especially robust and there is a small continuous diamond layer on both sides that serves way better than the usual dotted surface on pronounced bellies (which the CS Ultimate Hunter has) and for shaping pointy tips.
 
DanG said:
I would strongly recommend getting one. For me, the DMT Diafold Fine/Extrafine Hardcoat stands out.
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Guess I'll get one of those then. And I've just been gifted a zancudo D2. Is that dmt (600/1200) ok for both s35vn and d2?
 
markroi said:
Guess I'll get one of those then. And I've just been gifted a zancudo D2. Is that dmt (600/1200) ok for both s35vn and d2?
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Diamond will work on any steel. Perfectly fine for D2.

(You may want to consider the coarse / fine hone as opposed to the fine / extra fine, or get a couple to combine several options. Up to you, of course.)
 
You're welcome.

(I happen to have a couple sets of the fine / x-fine and coarse / x-coarse as they come in handy and are fairly durable.)
 
Regarding D2, I actually prefer diamond for it, especially for finishing. Technically, it doesn't have the wear resistance to require diamond for sharpening, with mainly chromium carbides in the alloy. Other abrasives like AlOx or SiC can still grind it easily enough. But D2 responds very well to diamond in the finishing steps.

Years ago, I 'test drove' a new DMT credit card hone (Fine) on one of my Queen folders in D2. I held the hone between my thumb & fingers in one hand, while controlling the blade with the other. Have to be careful this way, to try to keep finger/thumb tips out of the way. But I wasn't careful enough and sliced open my thumb with the wickedly-sharp D2 edge coming off the hone. Watching my thumb bleed and giving that some thought, I was very impressed, with both the hone and the steel. :D
 
Obsessed with Edges said:
But I wasn't careful enough and sliced open my thumb with the wickedly-sharp D2 edge coming off the hone
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Ouch :eek: Ok, guess DanG was right in his above comment, I need the diafold.

Obsessed with Edges said:
Regarding D2, I actually prefer diamond for it, especially for finishing. Technically, it doesn't have the wear resistance to require diamond for sharpening
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Um, since I'm interested in knife care in the field (for bushcraft) ideally I'd like to carry only one sharpening tool. If diamond is "too much" for D2, should I use the fine side only, is it enough?
 
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markroi said:
Ouch :eek: Ok, guess DanG was right in his above comment, I need the diafold.



Um, since I'm interested in knife care in the field (for bushcraft) ideally I'd like to carry only one sharpening system. If diamond is "too much" for D2, should I use the fine side only, is it enough?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't even say diamond is 'too much' for D2. You can shape it and/or hog off metal with other abrasives, easily enough. The reason I like diamond in finishing steps especially is, it leaves the edge much crisper and with little need for additional burr cleanup, whereas other abrasives (SiC/AlOx) won't do that as easily. So, I'd very nearly call diamond ideal for D2. Whether you choose a 'Fine' (600) or something different, D2 will sharpen up nicely with anything between Coarse (325) and EF (1200). It also polishes nicely beyond EF, using something like 3-micron & finer diamond compound on hard wood, as a strop.
 
While D2 does not require diamond sharpeners and can indeed be sharpened nicely on something like a Norton India, I would go so far and say that a diamond finish is ideal for this steel. There is something about the combination of the big chromium carbides in the D2 and the toothy finish of a diamond stone that really brings out the best of D2 and makes it stand out.
If I am not mistaken, even Bob Dozier and Dan Crotts recommend their knives to be sharpened on a DMT Fine.

With regards to grit, I would advise beginners to finish on DMT Fine or Extrafine. It's way easier to get a clean, burr-free edge from the finer grits, especially from the Extrafine. The DMT Coarse makes for a wicked working edge, but does demand much more skill and experience, and is also an acquired taste. I personally have not made up my mind yet if I like it: All in all I guess I much prefer a DMT Fine finish (eventually with a bit of stropping on 3 micron diamond) or a plain Extrafine finish.
 
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