Sharpening Knives in the Field

[jlw0142]

Eventually might snag the Worksharp field sharpener but I thought it might work to just take like 800 grit sandpaper instead to save some weight. Is this a dumb idea? Was also considering just bringing one of my diamond plates.


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[survivalistd]

Practice at home first to see what works best for you. There are so many different carry ideas for the field.

 

[Ucsdryder]

I really want to like a fixed blade in the field but even s90v dulls on an elk. I find myself grabbing my havalon every time. Except for the moose this year, that 3” blade didn’t stand a chance!

 

[jlw0142]

I really want to like a fixed blade in the field but even s90v dulls on an elk. I find myself grabbing my havalon every time. Except for the moose this year, that 3” blade didn’t stand a chance!

I understand. I just bought a MagnaCut blade so hoping it won’t need much resharpening in the field, but I’ll always have my 1.5 oz Tyto replaceable blade on me as backup. Congrats on the moose! I’m hoping to make that trip within the next decade.

 

[Geewhiz]

I really want to like a fixed blade in the field but even s90v dulls on an elk. I find myself grabbing my havalon every time. Except for the moose this year, that 3” blade didn’t stand a chance!

Did you kill a moose?? How did I miss that??

 

[htlt_surfboards]

The guided field sharpener works great but is larger than I prefer to carry in the field so only use it at home. They came out with recently a folding field sharpener that is only available on their website I believe. It is much smaller and more packable. The ceramic is great for touching up while working on an animal.

Work Sharp Folding Field Sharpener™

The Work Sharp Folding Field Sharpener™ is ultra-compact, lightweight, and packable, making it perfect for on-the-go sharpening. Built-in guides ensure easy, successful sharpening and honing on the diamond and ceramic plates. The folding design and Pocket Clip let you take it on all your...

www.worksharptools.com

 

[jlw0142]

The guided field sharpener works great but is larger than I prefer to carry in the field so only use it at home. They came out with recently a folding field sharpener that is only available on their website I believe. It is much smaller and more packable. The ceramic is great for touching up while working on an animal.

Work Sharp Folding Field Sharpener™

The Work Sharp Folding Field Sharpener™ is ultra-compact, lightweight, and packable, making it perfect for on-the-go sharpening. Built-in guides ensure easy, successful sharpening and honing on the diamond and ceramic plates. The folding design and Pocket Clip let you take it on all your...

www.worksharptools.com

Thanks for sending this. That’s a really cool item, I might have to give that a shot


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[sndmn11]

I understand. I just bought a MagnaCut blade so hoping it won’t need much resharpening in the field, but I’ll always have my 1.5 oz Tyto replaceable blade on me as backup. Congrats on the moose! I’m hoping to make that trip within the next decade.

Magnacut is weak in edge retention, but that also means it will be easy to hone in the field. You'll just need a ceramic stick or you can glue some 1k paper to a round dowel.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

I understand. I just bought a MagnaCut blade so hoping it won’t need much resharpening in the field, but I’ll always have my 1.5 oz Tyto replaceable blade on me as backup. Congrats on the moose! I’m hoping to make that trip within the next decade.

You should be able to get through an elk and anything smaller no problem without sharpening. The only thing I’ve needed touch ups on was moose, bison, or if doing more than one elk. I primarily use magnacut and s35vn knives.

 

[wyogoat]

Probably lame and something you’ve already tried but for lightweight backcountry work this is all I use to touch up blades as I go…works really well to get through a lot of elk and one moose.

 

[jlw0142]

Probably lame and something you’ve already tried but for lightweight backcountry work this is all I use to touch up blades as I go…works really well to get through a lot of elk and one moose.

View attachment 784983

I actually have that exact sharpener. It’s definitely handy and lightweight. My only concern is that it is bad for the blade, but that’s just from what people have told me. Is that true or bs?


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[wyogoat]

Well I’m no expert on the matter so it may be. Maybe it changes the angle but knife sharpening is something I’m weak at so this bails me out…someone more knowledge may pipe up on that.

 

[Shortschaf]

I actually have that exact sharpener. It’s definitely handy and lightweight. My only concern is that it is bad for the blade, but that’s just from what people have told me. Is that true or bs?


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If you are content with the edge angle it produces, it is not bad for the blade

If you are custom knife guy who wants it to have a mirror, razor edge--yes, the odds are good your blade's bevel is not a match to the tool's, and the tool will quickly remove the fancy bevel and produce a different, basic bevel on the edge

Regaining that fancy bevel after it gets removed is what takes a lot of time and patience--and probably why someone would call those tools "bad" for the blade

 

[svivian]

The carbide v shaped sharpeners shave metal off your blade rather than hone in a fine edge. It can damage your blade over time requiring a new edge put on.

Learning to use a good honing rod will make your knives last for ever. Just my .02

 

[jlw0142]

If you are content with the edge angle it produces, it is not bad for the blade

If you are custom knife guy who wants it to have a mirror, razor edge--yes, the odds are good your blade's bevel is not a match to the tool's, and the tool will quickly remove the fancy bevel and produce a different, basic bevel on the edge

Regaining that fancy bevel after it gets removed is what takes a lot of time and patience--and probably why someone would call those tools "bad" for the blade

Gotcha. My beater knife is a Mora Companion and I’ve used the smith sharpener on it with no issues. But I just got an MKC and they recommend 17-20 degrees for sharpening so trying not to screw it up


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[jlw0142]

The carbide v shaped sharpeners shave metal off your blade rather than hone in a fine edge. It can damage your blade over time requiring a new edge put on.

Learning to use a good honing rod will make your knives last for ever. Just my .02

That’s great advice, and I’ll take it. I appreciate it


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[Marbles]

I carry a Spider Co Double Stuff stone, for me it works well.

In actual use, MagnaCut holds an edge better than S30V and S90V blades I have used. It is an excellent choice for field use and sharpens well. Nothing that is light enough to carry in the field will do a goo job cleaning up the chips S90V gets.

If you like a sharp knife, everything needs resharpening before getting through an animal, most good steels will still be serviceable even without resharpening though.

 

[GreenNDark Timber]

DMT Mini Sharp in fine grit. Touch up the blade when you’re flipping the elk over for the second half. It’s the lightest option I’ve found and works great.

 

[jlw0142]

DMT Mini Sharp in fine grit. Touch up the blade when you’re flipping the elk over for the second half. It’s the lightest option I’ve found and works great.

Wow, that’s the best thing I’ve seen yet! It’s perfect, thanks man


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[eamyrick]

I use stones on my knives and finish with a leather stop and green stropping compound. In the field I take a cut down paint stick with rough leather on the back with preloaded stropping compound.

Picked everything up from here. Their catalog also explains most everything you need.

Sharpening Supplies

Sharpening Supplies, trust the sharpening experts. Leaders in sharpening stones, knife sharpeners, and tool sharpeners.

www.sharpeningsupplies.com