Sharping stone: Spyderco double stuff, FallknivenDC4 or ???

Snakemonkey555 · Mar 24, 2012

Hey Everyone,

I need some advice about stones (camping and backpacking). Which compact stone does everyone recommend for the ESSE 4 and the Falllniven F1? I am by far a sharping guro but hope to be one; someday.

Thanks for your help.

darkaether · Mar 24, 2012

I love my doublestuff but I haven't tried the falknivens. I have a sharpmaker and duckfoot but the doublestuff is small enough to leave in your jacket all the time

sir_mike · Mar 24, 2012

I was going to say that the Sharpmaker isnt that big and all fits in its own case so it should be easy to throw into a backpack. This is good, especially if your not good at freehand sharpening, like me!

dark impaler · Mar 24, 2012

I pack the Fallkniven DC3 on camping trips and has served well for touch ups on the go for my F1 and Junglas. Very compact and I believe there are some youtube videos on how to set up a DC4, but still applicable to this smaller version- when away from the comfort of your home.

freedoom · Mar 24, 2012

i keep a doublestuff in my edc pocket organizer. spyderco's ceramic stones are some of my favorites.

Snakemonkey555 · Mar 24, 2012

Thanks for the reply guys, I'm looking to purchase a sheath from Martin Swinkle for a F1 and slap on a maxpedition pouch so I'm thinking either the double stuff or DC4 would be perfect.

MIKE MACINTOSH · Mar 24, 2012

I've no experance with the spyderco Double stuff but I use a DC-4 quite often. ceramic side gets the most use. in fact so far the only use. I try not to let my knives or axe's get dull enough to need the diamond side.and use the ceramic side to give the knife a few swipes to bring it back to shaving sharp.diamond side is nice to have along in case Mr.Murphy makes an apperance and I screw up some how and nick the edge.diamond side will bring the edge back quickly.

Obsessed with Edges · Mar 24, 2012

I have and use both the DoubleStuff and the DC4. I like both, for different reasons. The stock DoubleStuff is a finer ceramic, on both the 'medium' and 'fine' sides, than the ceramic of the DC4. I like the DC4 because it's more aggressive on the ceramic side, and will put some 'bite' very quickly into the edge. And obviously, the diamond on the other side of the DC4 will do a pretty quick repair job on a damaged edge, if need be. Used by itself, it will leave a very good coarse working edge. As a field hone for any or all situations that might come up, I'd probably choose the DC4 first. It'll definitely maintain an edge with ease, and would be more useful if you had to fix/repair a really damaged edge in a hurry.

The DoubleStuff does a better job at polishing an edge (or very nearly so). It's ceramic is the same as the medium and fine rods of the Sharpmaker. By itself, it's probably too fine to do any major repair on a damaged edge. For light touch-ups and burr removal duty at home, I use this one all the time.

Snakemonkey555 · Mar 25, 2012

Obsessed with Edges said:
I have and use both the DoubleStuff and the DC4. I like both, for different reasons. The stock DoubleStuff is a finer ceramic, on both the 'medium' and 'fine' sides, than the ceramic of the DC4. I like the DC4 because it's more aggressive on the ceramic side, and will put some 'bite' very quickly into the edge. And obviously, the diamond on the other side of the DC4 will do a pretty quick repair job on a damaged edge, if need be. Used by itself, it will leave a very good coarse working edge. As a field hone for any or all situations that might come up, I'd probably choose the DC4 first. It'll definitely maintain an edge with ease, and would be more useful if you had to fix/repair a really damaged edge in a hurry.

The DoubleStuff does a better job at polishing an edge (or very nearly so). It's ceramic is the same as the medium and fine rods of the Sharpmaker. By itself, it's probably too fine to do any major repair on a damaged edge. For light touch-ups and burr removal duty at home, I use this one all the time.

So I guess for field use go with the DC4 and at home, sounds like the double stuff would be the best bet. Thanks, David.

Obsessed with Edges · Mar 25, 2012

Snakemonkey555 said:
So I guess for field use go with the DC4 and at home, sounds like the double stuff would be the best bet. Thanks, David.

Assuming you haven't bought it yet. If so, ask the dealer if they will accept returns on the DC4. There have been some posts here, from some who've seen some finish irregularities in the ceramic of the DC3/4 hones. I like mine, and it's definitely different than any others I've seen. Whether it's typical or normal for these, I don't really know. But I do find it very effective. If you find an issue with yours that you don't care for, just be sure you can send it back with no worries.

Snakemonkey555 · Mar 25, 2012

Obsessed with Edges said:
Assuming you haven't bought it yet. If so, ask the dealer if they will accept returns on the DC4. There have been some posts here, from some who've seen some finish irregularities in the ceramic of the DC3/4 hones. I like mine, and it's definitely different than any others I've seen. Whether it's typical or normal for these, I don't really know. But I do find it very effective. If you find an issue with yours that you don't care for, just be sure you can send it back with no worries.

Thanks again! If you don't find me asking, did you buy the DC4 online (if yes, which vender).

Thanks for the advise.

Obsessed with Edges · Mar 25, 2012

Snakemonkey555 said:
Thanks again! If you don't find me asking, did you buy the DC4 online (if yes, which vender).

Thanks for the advise.

I did buy mine online. Won't mention the dealer (non-BF member, so no endorsement per forum guidelines). I don't think you'll have trouble finding a source, or one who will accept a return if needed. Just make sure to ask them in advance. I hadn't even heard of the potential finish issues, until after I'd already bought mine. I bought mine a couple years ago, so the finish/quality issue might've been worked out by now anyway.

sodak · Mar 25, 2012

There have been some reports (and some from me) of the Fallkniven's DC 4's quality problems. I have a couple, and the ceramic side is dished pretty badly. This really hurts the sharpeniing, instead of your edge contacting the whole stone, it hits both edges, kind of like using 2 ceramic sticks instead. My favorites are the DMT diafold red/blue, combined with the Spyderco ceramic medium/fine.

Snakemonkey555 · Mar 25, 2012

Obsessed with Edges said:
I did buy mine online. Won't mention the dealer (non-BF member, so no endorsement per forum guidelines). I don't think you'll have trouble finding a source, or one who will accept a return if needed. Just make sure to ask them in advance. I hadn't even heard of the potential finish issues, until after I'd already bought mine. I bought mine a couple years ago, so the finish/quality issue might've been worked out by now anyway.

I was able to find an online vendor who gave 10% off orders for $50 or more, so I took advantage of that and got both the DC4 and the double stuff. The vendor has a 30 day return policy, so if I run into a snag I can return it.

Thanks for your help on this one.

Snakemonkey555 · Mar 25, 2012

sodak said:
There have been some reports (and some from me) of the Fallkniven's DC 4's quality problems. I have a couple, and the ceramic side is dished pretty badly. This really hurts the sharpeniing, instead of your edge contacting the whole stone, it hits both edges, kind of like using 2 ceramic sticks instead. My favorites are the DMT diafold red/blue, combined with the Spyderco ceramic medium/fine.

Sodak, i've heard that some of the DC4 has stones have been received with quality issues. I made sure the vendor I ordered from has a 30 day return policy if the item is defective.

Thanks for you input.