Simple sharpener needed!

C

CTPATRIOT

Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
30
Since i started buying quality knives,i'll be needing a sharpener soon.I'd like to get something fairly easy to use and that can be stored in my bug out bag(be used in the woods).At this time i have a Spyderco Para 2,Delica 4,ESEE 3 and some SAK's and a ZT0350 inbound.I don't have a fortune to spend,but i'm not looking for a cheap POS either.Any recomendations would be great!
 
Try looking into the fallkniven dc4. It is a two sided stone. One coarse side for setting edges or removing chips. The other for finer touchups and hair shaving edges. Just have to be able to keep your angles. Comes in a leather case and is only 2 X 4 inches. Very compact but able to handle any job. You will not be sorry with this one.
 
Spyderco Sharpmaker should work really well your needs. The other tip I hVe for you, keep your knives sharp by touching them up a little after extended use. The Sharpmaker does this well, instead of having to try to reprofile a completely dull knife.
 
I like the strop kit from knivesshipfree.com and I also like Spyderco's Profile set. I'd recommend the latter if you want something compact and easy to learn. Stropping is nice because you eventually learn how to maintain blades with smooth rocks and pieces of scrap leather, which is damn convenient.
 
How about a diamond rod? They are not too expensive, and are about the size of a pen.
 
fallkniven dc4 is deficiently the way to go.

They got for 30$ shipped on ebay and other online stores, the diamond side will make you and excellent edge on any blade and the stone side will get your blade razor sharp. The plus side is that they are super small super light and come with a leather pouch so you can easily give you blade that extra kick if you wanna shave and you are in the woods.

Ohh and did i mention that the diamond side is metal backed so virtually unbreakable and they don't need any oil or water to use.....

Hmm i'll stop now lol, as you can see I lovez them stones from fallkniven
 
Pretty much anything in diamond (DMT, Eze-Lap are among the best) or silicon carbide will be the most versatile, expecially if you plan to reprofile/rebevel any of your knives. Sandpaper (wet/dry type; silicon carbide, from 3M/Norton) delivers the most bang-for-the-buck by far. It's available in a far more comprehensive grit range than anything else, meaning it's MUCH easier to fine-tune your edges to your preference. Being flexible/pliable, you can also wrap it around any convenient shape, like a cylinder (PVC pipe, dowel, broom handle, wine bottle, etc.). That'll come in very handy for the recurve on your ZT-0350. Fold a piece around the shank of a small screwdriver, for sharpening serrations. And the sandpaper can be wetted & applied to a glass backing, for V-bevels, or laid atop a softer backing (leather or mousepad) for edge-trailing sharpening of convex edges. Very, very versatile stuff, and inexpensive too.

The DMT Dia-Folds are extremely versatile as a pocket & travel sharpener. The blue/red (coarse/fine) combo is probably the most useful. The Fallkniven DC3/DC4, as mentioned, can be quite good. Some have had some gripes about the finish/quality of the ceramic side, but I've been impressed with my DC4.

A Sharpmaker is handy for regular maintenance, so long as you don't let your edges get too dull in the first place. Not very aggressive for heavy reprofiling jobs on tougher steels (like S30V), though.
 
I have a DMT credit card sized diamond plate that I keep in my wallet. I glued a piece of 1200 grit grinding film to the back of mine for touch up. Eze-Lap makes a comparable credit card sized sharpener. Both also make a folding 2 sided diamond sharpener that doesn't take up much space. This is a good choice for a BOB. Hewlett makes a 2 sided diamond plate that will fit in a wallet. If you have serrated blades you should get a tapered diamond rod. For harder steel @ HRc 60 and above the diamond plates will make sharpening easier. The soft steel in your SAKs will sharpen on almost anything.
 
My field sharpening kit is a DC4 and an Eze-Lap sportmans rod. Sharpens all my stuff great in the field and doesn't weigh a lot. Machetes. knives, axes , whatever..
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