Sharpening Systems

[CrookedSights]

I really need to replace my dollar store wet stone soon. For chisels and plane irons I use a slab of granite and 320-2000 grit wet/dry sandpaper. So what do you guys use and what do you keep in your pack.

I absolutely hate these things, they always nick the hell out of the blade. http://www.amazon.com/Smiths-CCKS-2-Step-Knife-Sharpener/dp/B00032S02K/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1363150070&sr=8-5&keywords=knife+sharpener

[Kentactic]

I carry a small bastard mil file. They have really big like 14" all the way down to maybe 6" for carrying in a pack. I dont touch those sharpeners you drag the knife through. A file or a stone is all you need.

[thatGuy]

I have that exact same sharpener CS and I love it. A couple of licks and the dullest knife is razor sharp again, that said I wouldn't sharpen a knife I liked with it. I keep the sharpener in my shop for my EDC (beater) pocket knife.

Smith's Precision Knife Sharpening System

Check out this kit from Smith, I find this kit to be very good for beginners and experienced a like. I've used mine to restore an edge to some knifes that were 'sharpened' by guys who had no business putting steel to stone. I really like the diamond strop that comes with it too. It's hard to imagine that it could be fine and coarse at the same time but it is. You can strop a sharp blade to absurdness or take a dull one there. Best part is it weights nothing and is incredibly durable, I've carried one in my tool bags for coming up on 10 years now.

I would keep the kit at home and take the strop and a 6"mill file with me like Ken said. You can get almost anything pretty fucking sharp with a mill file.

[WhiteWolfReloaded]

I've run through a hell of a lot of different sharpeners. My favorite though I keep in an ammo can with some bug out kitchen stuff. It's a two sided wet stone from Shun (makers of Kershaw and Zero Tolerance knives) 1000/6000 grit. Aside from that a stand belt sander and the right grit belts will get you easily splitting hairs. I would never waste money on those little pocket sharpeners though. Only use a diamond sharpener if your blade is completely dull by the way. It'll remove more steel than is necessary to get rid of most spurs. It's best to use steel rods for every day maintenance as the knife basically picks up small pieces of it to fill the gaps. Files are better for tools since you won't be worried as much about small spurs. A dremel with a sharpening head and a steady hand goes a long way too. (For tools)

[CrookedSights]

TG, is that clamp plastic, and can it be used on larger knives I've only ever seen systems like that used on folders.
WW, I can't justify eighty bucks for a stone, quality or not I just can't.

[WhiteWolfReloaded]

TG, is that clamp plastic, and can it be used on larger knives I've only ever seen systems like that used on folders.
WW, I can't justify eighty bucks for a stone, quality or not I just can't.

I hear ya. At the time I could justify it. Can't nowadays.....

[v0dka]

What would be the best sharpener to sharpen a D2 steel knife. I was under the impression only a diamond or carbide could.

[WhiteWolfReloaded]

What would be the best sharpener to sharpen a D2 steel knife. I was under the impression only a diamond or carbide could.

No. Any time you use diamond for any blade you are literally shaving metal off and start a new blade. Ceramic will be worthless on d2. Use steel for maintenance, but if you start getting dull then make sure you use the diamond evenly. If I'm using my knife, which happens more this time of year, I usually use steel once or twice a week for up keep.

[thatGuy]

CS, the body of the clamp is metal with a plastic screw to told the guide on and to tension against the blade. I don't see it becoming an issue for some time.

I do believe it would also hold a kitchen knife.

WWR, , the original question posed by CS was "So what do you guys use and what do you keep in your pack?"

v0dka,

D2 steel comes in at HRC 54 - 61, high quality axe heads typically come in at 55 while high quality plane irons fall in around 60. Chisels can go as high as 66... so will a stone cut it? Absolutely, there is nothing special about that steel a side from the vanadium.