Which Portable Spyderco Sharpening Tool? And Why?

[JD Spydo]

One of the big reasons that drew me to Spyderco years ago was the fact that they also manufacture superb sharpening equipment with the same superb quality that they make their knives with. It's always confused me as to why many of the major knife companies do little to provide good sharpening equipment for their end line users . Spyderco provides sharpening tools that work well on just about any blade style or edge type and they offer up a great selection of sharpening tools that will do about any edged tool you can think of.

Two of my very favorite Spyderco sharpening tools are the older/discontinued 701 Profiles along with the DOUBLESTUFF stone. Those are my two favorite portable Spyderco sharpening tools and I'm wondering what you all like best in that sector? The accolades of the great 204 Sharpmaker are well known on this forum and I'm also looking very forward to the upcoming GAUNTLET unit that is coming down the product pipeline.

Now if any of you have portable sharpening tools that you like better than those that Spyderco offers then go ahead and mention those and tell us why you like them better. I guess there is an argument that could be made that just about all of Spyderco's great sharpening tools could be considered portable. Also tell us what you primarily use their sharpening tools for?

 

[TravisH]

For hiking, various pocket-sized ceramic or diamond rods.

For reprofiling/repairing, a DMT Aligner with coarse, extra coarse, and extra extra coarse stones.

But I've also rubber-banded those same DMT stones to SM rods to reprofile as well.

 

[JD Spydo]

For hiking, various pocket-sized ceramic or diamond rods.

For reprofiling/repairing, a DMT Aligner with coarse, extra coarse, and extra extra coarse stones.

But I've also rubber-banded those same DMT stones to SM rods to reprofile as well.

It's interesting that you've mentioned some of DMT's stuff because I'm wanting to check out more diamond sharpening tools myself in the near future. It's one area Spyderco is lacking in my humble opinion because they just don't have any sharpening tools that will remove stock fast as with really beat up or dinged up blades. Spyderco's one diamond set of sharpening rods they have for the 204 Sharpmaker are just too fine for aggressive work in my opinion. And this is coming from a guy who owns and loves all the Spyderco sharpening tools.

Lately I've been torn between DMT and Atoma diamond sharpening tools. Both companies have very good reputation and they both seem to be quality minded. Yeah I wish that Spyderco would offer more selections in diamond tools myself. I've also had very good results with Norton and 3M diamond benchstones. Particularly 3M diamond benchstones because they cut very even and consistent.

Again Spyderco makes some of my most favorite sharpening tools but there are times when diamond and other abrasives are needed for rapid stock removal.

 

[JD Spydo]

I'm kind of baffled with the lack of response thus far>> because I thought that most of you guys tended to lean toward portable and/or manual sharpening tools ? And they don't necessarily have to be Spyderco's either for that matter>> albeit I did think that Spyderco's smaller sharpening tools had a significant following?

It's also confusing to me as to why Spyderco's newer GOLDENSTONE hasn't gained much fanfare because I know that they had high hopes for it particularly. Even the Spyderco 302 benchstones are somewhat heavy but still what I would deem to be portable and mobile for field usage.

On the other Forum there was mention of DMT's portable sharpening tools and I'm taking another look at diamond sharpening tools. But on the other hand if many of you all find Spyderco's smaller sharpening tools to be undesirable then let's talk about that and what could make it better.