Your knife sharping system?

[KsRancher]

I have had a Gatco sharpening system for years. After reading this thread I sat down this morning for 30min trying to sharpen a knife. Not kidding, that knife wont cut paper after 30min and going thru all 4 stones.

 

[WV Mountaineer]

Lanky fine diamond stone for the pack.


Diamond stone, ceramic rod, and a nylon rod to finish, at the house.

 

[S.Clancy]

I use diamond stones from 800 to 2500 grit then strop. With this method and a good knife I don't need to sharpen in the field, even on elk.

 

[GrayGoose]

KME system for me as well. Still learning with it but when I get things set right it produces a nice edge.

When deciding what system to go with, I watched a YouTube video that tested how well a knife sharpened with different systems retained its edge. KME was at the top of the pack and that ultimately swayed me to buy it.

 

[IdahoElk]

What's your favorite knife strop?

 

[*zap*]

My system is-do what is necessary with non mechanical means.
Mostly Smith's tri-hone and leather strop with jewelers rouge.
Sometimes need to start with a file.

 

[mad_angler]

At home, I use this. It is AWESOME. It can sharpen any knife, axe, or tool.

Ken Onion Edition ELITE Knife & Tool Sharpener Mk.2™

Sharpen Like a Pro Unlock total sharpening freedom with the Work Sharp® Ken Onion Edition Elite Knife & Tool Sharpener Mk.2™. The complete powered sharpener including attachments for guided and freehand sharpening to deliver pro-level results. Backed by 3-Year Warranty.

worksharptools.com

 

[BigE]

Bunch of options at the house but prefer to use King whetstones when I want to get a razor edge for a knife. Rarely need anything in the field for a touch up. I should look at a motorized option for speedier sharpening though.

 

[moewells100]

I’ve tried several, and it’s expensive but Wicked Edge is the best by far.

That said, I’ve gone to replaceable blade knives for almost everything now. Way faster, lighter, less hassle.

 

[Billdoe]

Lasky for me hunting knives

 

[KsRancher]

Update. I sat down yesterday and decided that I could figure it out somehow. So I took a black marker and colored both cutting edges. Then clamped it in the Gatco clamp and started with the extra course stone. Probably took 15 min a side to get all the marker off of the edge at the angle I decided on. Then colored it again and went to the next stone. Did that four times for all the stones. Then drove to town and bought a 3in wide x 24in long piece of raw leather from our local boot/saddle/anything leather guy. Went home and gave it around 10 passes on each side.

I did that with an old 5in skinning knife I had. It would actually cut the hair off of my arm. I got so dang excited I did it to my nice Buck skinning knife. Same results. I did my 2 fillet knives next. I worked on them a lot longer. Couldn't gst them to shave but they are a lot sharper than they were. Not sure if I couldn't get them as sharp because it was a lot longer edge than my skinning knives.

 

[*zap*]

You might start with a file if it needs it.
JMO. Ymmv.

 

[Jpsmith1]

I have had a Gatco sharpening system for years. After reading this thread I sat down this morning for 30min trying to sharpen a knife. Not kidding, that knife wont cut paper after 30min and going thru all 4 stones.

You didn't apex it ro starr. You can grind away with all the stones but, without apexing the edge, it's not sharp

 

[MallardSX2]

I usually work sharp belt sander, and I go through a lot of steel on knives. But, it sharpens them fast so I really don’t care because knives are cheap, time isn’t.

 

[HawkCreek]

At home I use a combination of stones, strops and ceramic rods. In the field I keep a two sided nail file in my pack. Wife buys them and I just steal one when I need a new one. They weigh next to nothing and will return a dull knife to a serviceable edge pretty quickly. Not a perfect system but it's enough to get through a trip.

 

[Jram138]

Another vote for the KME. I didn't find the learning curve to be that steep, except for tips have to be careful not to reprofile them (ask me how I know). And as JP already said sharp is sharp don't have go to crazy, but I do love putting a mirror edge on knives that don't do work.

 

[minas stiris]

Dmt stones all day baby

 

[Old3Toe]

At home I got a pile of stones and a leather barbershop strop to get my knives wicked sharp. In the field, a few licks across this pocket steel restores the edge.

 

[GOninety]

Once I purchased the WorkSharp Ken Onion edition tool I am taking the easy way out and get a good edge quick and easy. I do admire those that are stone masters.