Howdy, long time reader - first time poster. Finally got me a question that doesn't seem to be covered anywhere else, although there's an article kinna close on equipped.org. Anyway, here it is.

If you EDC a knife sharpener, which one?

Thanks in advance,

I keep an "Idiot Proof" knife sharpener that has a plastic handle w/a plastic guard in my BoB. I just have to drag the edge through the "V" of tungsten carbide and it sharpens, cleans up knicks, etc.

Knife sharpening is 1 of my short-comings but this is simple, light weight, & above all, "Idiot Proof"!

Somehow, carrying a knife sharpener as EDC is a bit like carrying a cleaning kit with your EDC handgun.

I carry a DMT Mini-Sharp diamond sharpener or a Smith's carbide/ceramic/diamond unit in my day pack when in the bush.

I used to carry a Eze Lap Diamond Sharpener (little diamond file). But since then I've eliminated the need by switching to a Leatherman Juice XE6 which has a diamond file.

Neither is a great sharpening option, but it is more there as a just-in-case than anything. I don't think I've ever needed to use either one so far.

-john

I carry the Eze Lap sharpener, I also carry a ceramic rod.
As previously stated this may not be the ideal way to keep blades in top condition but it does the job in the field. At home is where I use other tools to work on my blades.

For portable sharpening I just use a flat stone. I also have a small wedge of wood (Oak) I made to the angle I wanted to sharpen my knifes to. It’s made for a 25 deg angle. It works as a guide and helps keep them at the same angle I use when I sharpen them with my Lansky sharpener.

I see absolutely no reason to EDC a sharpener. I have EDC'd my same blade for 2+ years maybe more I forget. I just now sharpened / re-did the edge on it last week.

It was TOTALLY dull. I had used it for marking steel, cutting wire, and anything in between.. even scratching concrete. This is an EDC after all and I really really abused / used it for what I needed. Now that it's sharp again I love it again But I see NO REASON to EDC a sharpener whatsoever.

Leave it at home, pack more water...

On the same note about blades... I have a mini-griptilian and was going to EDC that but my 'spring assisted' opening blade is much nicer for me. I may get a Ritter griptillian (full size) eventually actually to try it out as I really like the griptillian design. Not to sure how D2 of my mini or the material the RItter is made outof will handle my abuse. The AUS8 right now is a good 'in between' for my EDC.

I have a mini sharpening steel that is attached to my SAK. Works well in a pinch.

I have a few that I like:

DMT Mini-sharp [~$11.00] (Specifically the Blue, and sometimes Red, one of these.)



Smith's DRET [~$7.00] (Gerber also has a version that seems to be exactly the same, but in silver and black)



(^note: This is one sharpener, but it has two sides. The pointy end and the rounded end.^)

Smith's PP1 [~$12.00]




The DMT seems to put the best edge on my plain edge blades, but the other two provide a perfectly serviceable edge and will also sharpen serrated blades, which is a nice touch. I have a few DRETs stashed throughout my gear because they're cheap, easy to get (walmart), and it's very versatile.

The only thing I don't like about them is over time they do wear out (I guess all the diamond dust comes off), but they do last for a very long time. However, I guess if I was planning on spending a few years out in the bush I think I might rather have a simple old-fashioned "Arkansas Stone." They don't work as fast as the diamond stones/rods, but they do seem to last longer.

I EDC a very small Eze-Lap keychain diamond sharpener (with key chain removed), that I tuck into a small slot on my mini-kit pouch.

Be careful with this small sharpener, it is very easy to cut your support hand when using it (learned the hard way).

This sharpener can be seen here http://www.pacwestoutdoors.com/eze-lap-key-chain-sharpener-75.html

Mike