3D Printed Field Sharpening Kit

[CypressCreek]

I have always felt like field sharpening equipment is an afterthought for most of us. It seems to me that we sharpen our knives before a hunting trip and hit the road without a second thought. Most modern knife steels should be able to break down game without needing touched up. but that isn't always the case. Sometimes the knife makes heavy contact with bone or is dropped in the gravel and the edge takes some damage.

Having some sort of sharpening remedy in the field is of great importance, even if it is seldom used. There are many field shaprening setups available, but I feel like they are, all too often, cumbersome, bulky, and heavy. I have long wanted a simple, no frills piece of kit that I can toss in the bottom of my pack and forget about until the time arises when I need it. After a few revisions, I think I have come up with a solution that I'm happy with.

This is my 3D printed field sharpening kit. This kit has a 400 grit diamond stone, ceramic hone, and chem light all in a small lightweight package that can be tossed in a pack or clipped onto the outside of a bag. This kit weighs 1.75 ounces and is 2.5" wide x 3" tall x 0.5" thick (at it's thickest point). I am going to test this kit out over the next several months and see what I think.

What do you all think of the design? Any comments or criticisms? I'd love to hear some feedback.

 

[RadialJett]

That’s pretty cool! I like those worksharp field sharpeners because it’s easy to have the hand holding it well clear of the blade. Any way to embed the stone on one side and the hone on the other?

 

[RWT]

Very nice.

 

[mostlybirch]

Looks great , are you sharing the STL?

 

[RoaminTexan]

That’s pretty neat. I want to get a printer to make stuff like this.
Might be a dumb question but what’s the chem-light for? Just to keep track of the sharpener if working on an animal at night?

 

[CypressCreek]

That’s pretty cool! I like those worksharp field sharpeners because it’s easy to have the hand holding it well clear of the blade. Any way to embed the stone on one side and the hone on the other?

I'm not sure if I can embed the stone. I'll have to look into that and see if i can figure something out.

 

[CypressCreek]

Looks great , are you sharing the STL?

I can send you the STL. Only issue is the stone and ceramic rod are specific sized and hard to get ahold of

 

[CypressCreek]

That’s pretty neat. I want to get a printer to make stuff like this.
Might be a dumb question but what’s the chem-light for? Just to keep track of the sharpener if working on an animal at night?

Mostly, the chem light is there because I had space for it, but I know a lot of guys who like to have a chem light as part of their gear. They use it as an indicator for various reasons.

 

[RoaminTexan]

Mostly, the chem light is there because I had space for it, but I know a lot of guys who like to have a chem light as part of their gear. They use it as an indicator for various reasons.

That makes sense

I’m not savy with the designing functions on the files but I wonder if you can make extra chem light spots? As in room for 3 lights next to each other. Or would that mess with the structural integrity having holes close to the corner and stone holder?

 

[TaperPin]

That’s really cool.

 

[JDPAPA]

What about modifying the design to allow for a pocket to keep the stone and assembly together? Looks like you would have some real estate available to make the change.

 

[mostlybirch]

I can send you the STL. Only issue is the stone and ceramic rod are specific sized and hard to get ahold of

That would be cool, where are the stone and rod from?

The other day I needed a specific diameter hole to cut and couldn't find my compass, easy to mock up and print a circle with guide lines. Today it was new hinges and drains for coolers from the dump.

 

[RadialJett]

I'm not sure if I can embed the stone. I'll have to look into that and see if i can figure something out.

Totally, the stone is so thin you’d probably just have to epoxy into a super shallow recess or something. I like what you are after and could see myself getting a couple for truck/pack/tackle box.

 

[CypressCreek]

That makes sense

I’m not savy with the designing functions on the files but I wonder if you can make extra chem light spots? As in room for 3 lights next to each other. Or would that mess with the structural integrity having holes close to the corner and stone holder?

I don't think there is room for more chem lights. I wish it could hold 2, bur I'd have to add some additional width and I'd rather not do that.

What about modifying the design to allow for a pocket to keep the stone and assembly together? Looks like you would have some real estate available to make the change.

I've thought about that but I like the idea of having the stone free to sharpen other edges tools (thinking of axes)

That would be cool, where are the stone and rod from?

The other day I needed a specific diameter hole to cut and couldn't find my compass, easy to mock up and print a circle with guide lines. Today it was new hinges and drains for coolers from the dump.

DM your email and I'll send the file over! The diamond stone was part of a stone/hone combo. I think I got it off of Amazon, but it may have been something like Alibaba. I'll try to find the link.

The ceramic hone is 5/16" dia. From a chef supply website