Woodrow F Call
Lil-Rokslider
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2019
Arkansas stone and a strop with some jewelers rouge is tough to beat, but relatively steep learning curve and time consuming.
The Worksharp field sharpener is easy to use and plenty effective. It's what I pack for touch-ups between elk. It might take some extra effort the first time if you're going to condition your bevel to match the 20 deg. guides, but after that it's pretty quick and effective.
With all the new fancy steels out there, I probably wouldn't get an Arkansas stone. They sometimes don't remove metal fast enough. Also, you need to oil them. They are great for the right uses, but I'd get a modern diamond stone and a strop for a beginner. Just less to figure out.
Also, I don't think the rouge is really necessary. It's so fine and a huge jump from a typical stone that you really don't get the benefit without lots of work. Now if you are going to get silly sharp Japanese cutlery sharp..... work your way through 6000 grit wet stones.... then maybe the rouge will be in your ball park.