Sharpening Stone Really Necessary in Survival Kit?

Size doesn't matter, technique does, just because you've been told that the best way to sharpen is from heel to foot doesn't always make it the best way when all you have is a small stone or small diamond hone.
 
If you carry one, then you'll have it on hand if you need it.

Fallkniven makes two very good field sharpeners that have a combination of diamond on one side & ceramic on the other (the DC stones).

The DC 3 is 3 inches long, the DC4 is 4 inches long.

I've been using them for years and they work!




Kind regards
Mick
 
I don't carry one. I don't use my blades enough when out that it makes a difference but I DO know how to sharpen free hand so if I were in a survival situation I could wing it with a rock just fine.
 
Wolftracker,

What the heck is that thing? Can you show more?



OP,

I carry a Spyderco Doublestuff - works on everything I need it to.

TF
 
I usually carry something to sharpen or at least touch up a blade in the field. I look at like any other survival item, you dont plan on needing it, but it sure comes in handy if you do. Since most here would agree that a knife is your most useful survival tool it makes sense to have a way to care for it.

One of my current favorites is a little altoids tin kit I got From SIGUY at my ist WAR.
 
Always. A small ceramic rod and lately some little DMT credit cards. No point in lugging around a knife if it becomes dull. I don't carry a camera without extra batteries either.
 
readyme said:
Anybody have any experience with the Knives Ship Free sharpening kit?

http://www.knivesshipfree.com/Complete-Sharpening-Kit-for-Field-or-Home-w-Yellow-OtterBox

Seems like a cool all in one kit, but they are a bit spendy.
Thoughts?
Click to expand...

From whats in there, it looks like you could make your own for less, and have extra parts to spare. Especially if you already have some of those components.

Well thought out though. I like how the paper folds back into the box to keep it secure.
 
If you are day walking on public trails, I would say no, its not necessary. If you venture off trail or are out for days at a time, I think having a good sharpener could make your life a lot easier. Sure, you can use a river rock or some slate if you have to... but why would you count on that? If you notice your knife is dull, it's usually when you are using it. Do you want to have to stop and search for a natural sharpener in the middle of making an emergency shelter or notching a firebow hearth? What if you are dressing game? You can say that'll never happen to you, but do we get the choice of not being in a survival situation?

Second to knowledge, a sharp blade is the most important tool a woodsman can posess... it's best to have a means to keep it that way.

Rick
 
MilliePop said:
I'm not familiar with them...I usually use large stones because my knife is a large "bowie" type. Would those small sharpeners work well with a large knife?
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Hey "MilliePop" I got a couple of suggestions for you. First of all Spyderco makes a wonderful small stone with 2 different grits that's called the "Doublestuff" stone. It comes with a really nice leather carrying case and I have an extra one in my own personal bug out bag. Also I found a really nice diamond sharpening rod that is compact and really does a great job.

It's made by a company called "Cerahone". It is triangular in shape, about 9 inches long and has a nice handle. Those are the 2 sharpening tools I've got ready in an emergency kit as we speak.

Now if you've got a big Emergency Kit I would highly recommend getting Spyderco's 204 Sharpmaker. And get a set of the extra 204 diamond stones for the kit.

There is a lot of high quality sharpening gear on the market now a days so there's no need to use junk for such an important job in the area of survival. Good Luck :)
 
The reason I recommend the coarse/fine DMT Diafold is that (in addition to being light and compact) is that when you're in a survival situation (or just out and about in the field) when your edge dulls down you're either in the middle of something and just need a quick touch up OR you really kill the edge by banging it into a rock or something similar. A ceramic stone is just fine for touch-ups (and superb as finishing stones) but they aren't really good for repairing edge damage on account of being so fine. The coarse side of the diamond is great for that, and diamond in general tends to cut faster than ceramic. I pack some small ceramic stones in my EDC bag, too, but I know I'd be mostly relying on the diamonds in a survival situation.
 
I'll snap a photo when I get home. It's a small stone that comes wrapped in a piece of tree bark. Birch, I think. I suppose that it serves as a sheath of sorts to protect the surface. There is a bevel at the end along with a rounded section for serrations. For the two times that I've used it so far, it works fine as a field stone for me
Talfuchre said:
Wolftracker,

What the heck is that thing? Can you show more?



OP,

I carry a Spyderco Doublestuff - works on everything I need it to.

TF
Click to expand...
 
Ramm9 said:
Especially if you start doing it when your companions can't decide if they want to bet or not in a card game. :D
Click to expand...

Or if your companions can't decide whom to eat first.:D:eek:

How sharp is sharp enough? My dad can take a single knife and do the entire deer season with out sharpening it. That's usually 5 or more deer, depending on how straight the family shoots (Texas, not Cali). At the end of the season his knife is still sharp enough for him. I, on the other hand, would tend toward a sharpening after each deer is processed, with some steeling in between.

What is my point? We are here discussing wilderness skills on a knife forum. Sharp things have a special place for us, and we tend to go further in the care of our knives, and in the maintenance of their edges than most people. Even though I carry a small diamond sharpener I don't think that it is necessary. A knife will perform well, well after what most of us call dull.
 
Not at all. there are many ways to sharpen a knife.
Personally. I carry a little 400 grit wetRdry sandpaper.
 
In the bush I always carry a tiny ezlapp diamond rod. it nests in what looks like the top part of a pen with the clip. half an ounce and half the size of a pen.
At camp I have a spydie double stuff stone and a tiny 4 inch file.
Anyone else use files on good knives? I don't finish with it but it sure speeds things up at the start.
 
There is the safety aspect too. The only time I have stabbed myself real good - requiring stitches - was when I was really putting a lot a force on an a less than sharp blade. The safety issue is magnified when you are out in the field and can't just hop in the car and be at the doc in 5 minutes to get sewn up.
 
With all of the very small, convenient to carry sharpening devices on the market these days, I think it's pretty silly to not have one around. While you really could get by fine without one, I think it's good to be prepared. It's a couple ounces I'm willing to carry. I keep one of the single-grit Spyderco ceramic stones in my kit.
 
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