We've had discussions about blades, axes, etc for incorporation into bug out bags and such.  What are people going to include to sharpen those tools?

I have a number of sharpening options and when I thought about it, they are all stored at home.  For day to day stuff, absolutely no problem, but I don't typically see sharpening items on people's list of items.  Or at least they don't mention it. 

I have sharpening stones, sharpening sticks, and other sharpening items with varying effectiveness.  I still have a diamond stick that I bought over 20 years ago that I still use on pocket knives here and there. 

We've had discussions about blades, axes, etc for incorporation into bug out bags and such.  What are people going to include to sharpen those tools?

I have a number of sharpening options and when I thought about it, they are all stored at home.  For day to day stuff, absolutely no problem, but I don't typically see sharpening items on people's list of items.  Or at least they don't mention it. 

I have sharpening stones, sharpening sticks, and other sharpening items with varying effectiveness.  I still have a diamond stick that I bought over 20 years ago that I still use on pocket knives here and there.

I have one with mine.  If shtf you are not going to be able to waltz home and sharpen your tools.

I have one with mine.  If shtf you are not going to be able to waltz home and sharpen your tools.

Exactly.  I mean there are those bushcrafter guys that can sharpen stuff with rock/stones, but I've never tried.



Then there's what you see in the movies as well where they sharpen their swords with rock/stone.   

Exactly.  I mean there are those bushcrafter guys that can sharpen stuff with rock/stones, but I've never tried.

Then there's what you see in the movies as well where they sharpen their swords with rock/stone.   

Hawaii doesn't really have those types of rocks though.  Not that i know of atleast.

Hawaii doesn't really have those types of rocks though.  Not that i know of atleast.

I would assume you could use any relatively fine rock that is smoothed out from river/streams.  Again, never tried, but I would think they would work.  Might not get finest edge, but as long as there's some abrasion/grit, I would think it would work. 

Again, I've never tried, but I've seen where guys sharpen on stuff like concrete curbs and masonry blocks.  As long as the surface as some level of grit and you can use it. 

But there's lots of concrete/cement! It would work in a pinch but isn't something I'd want to use unless I had to.

I carry a few small sharpening stones in my backpack when I'm out in the woods. One is a medium grit, one's a fine grit, and one's a ceramic rod if I want to keep something very sharp like a fillet knife. I do also have a leatherman with a small file on it, and have used it a lot for axes and machetes too.

I would take a DMT dual sharpener. Very tough (at least compared to a stone), water is enough lube, and you have a long-lasting two grit option. Weight is ok, about the same as a normal stone per length.

I have done some experiments using coral heads (basically limestone) that wash up on shore and grinding those with another stone to a flat surface. Those work ok for fine work. Too soft for other stuff.

You can normally find pretty decent rocks in a river-bed or some bays, at least here in Kauai. Sharpening technique depends on what you are sharpening and the size of the stone though. None are ideal compared to other places on Earth, but they can work ok.

But there's lots of concrete/cement! It would work in a pinch but isn't something I'd want to use unless I had to.

I carry a few small sharpening stones in my backpack when I'm out in the woods. One is a medium grit, one's a fine grit, and one's a ceramic rod if I want to keep something very sharp like a fillet knife. I do also have a leatherman with a small file on it, and have used it a lot for axes and machetes too.

Yeah, it wouldn't be a first option and not expecting to be able to hone a super fine edge, but good in a pinch. 

I would take a DMT dual sharpener. Very tough (at least compared to a stone), water is enough lube, and you have a long-lasting two grit option. Weight is ok, about the same as a normal stone per length.

I have done some experiments using coral heads (basically limestone) that wash up on shore and grinding those with another stone to a flat surface. Those work ok for fine work. Too soft for other stuff.

You can normally find pretty decent rocks in a river-bed or some bays, at least here in Kauai. Sharpening technique depends on what you are sharpening and the size of the stone though. None are ideal compared to other places on Earth, but they can work ok.

I would think that coral/limestone wouldn't be dense enough to use for sharpening, at least on the harder steels.  I have some stainless blades that seem much harder than my other blades. 

This is what I carry in my hiking backpack.
Super lightweight and better than a rock in my opinion.

https://www.amazon.com/Smiths-PP1-Pocket-Multifunction-Sharpener/dp/B000O8OTNC/ref=sr_1_9?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1468527483&sr=1-9&keywords=knife+sharpener

This is what I carry in my hiking backpack.
Super lightweight and better than a rock in my opinion.

https://www.amazon.com/Smiths-PP1-Pocket-Multifunction-Sharpener/dp/B000O8OTNC/ref=sr_1_9?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1468527483&sr=1-9&keywords=knife+sharpener

I have basically the same sharpener.  It works pretty good.  I bought it mainly for pocket knives and it's done well.  I haven't used the stick portion, but I understand it's good for sharpening the serrated sections.  I actually sharpened a pocket knife with it last night and it got the blade pretty sharp.  Overall, I prefer sharpening on whetstones, but it was just fine for a pocket knife. 



I have one similar to this that I use often as well.

I bought the "poker chip" and the stick version of the Handy Sharp from the guy demonstrating them at one of the Gun Shows.  I haven't really used it much though.

Drck,

I carry that rod one as well.
Works good on my k-bar mini machete.

The one I got has one round side and one flat side.

I would think that coral/limestone wouldn't be dense enough to use for sharpening, at least on the harder steels.  I have some stainless blades that seem much harder than my other blades.

Ya, but its still enough to put a fine edge on because the slurry fills the holes. Or at least that's what I think happens.  Its like in between stroping and sharpening.

I have a small diamond rod sharpener now. I used to carry a small stone. I don't know if they still make it but Spyderco made an interesting one in the shape of a small fin that had a lot of angle and surface shape options. I have that in my bail out bag.

The diamond products are nice but you have to be careful not to press too hard or you can dislodge the stones. The all in 1 grits don't seem to leave the best edge either. I mean it will be sufficiently sharp but maybe not hair shaving sharp.

You could make your own if you wanted. Good sandpaper on a hard flat object or even on neoprene (for a convex edge) can get the job done.

I bought the "poker chip" and the stick version of the Handy Sharp from the guy demonstrating them at one of the Gun Shows.  I haven't really used it much though.

    I have these in the Garage, truck and go bag. Small, light all purpose form EDC to machetes, garden pruners, scrapers etc...
Just got to get the angle right and DON'T use a lot of pressure. lighter is better

     I also strop my EDC on cardboard whenever I see a piece handy,
Puts a quick polishing edge on already sharp knife.

Keeping a small cheap stone, rod etc in your pack is simple, however there are several ways to improvise and there would be no shortage of alternate ways to sharpen your knife or maintain the edge if you needed to.  I have used the edge of a car window quite a bit and the bottom edge of a glass mug.  My grandfather used to use the bottom ring edge of a plate or cup and would strop his knives on his belt, sling or boot when in the field. 

Various types of rock and yes even concrete works well but I suggest doing it wet.  I run a chunk of concrete through my tile saw to bring back the edge on diamond blades for tile work and concrete can do the same for putting an edge on a knife.  You can also use a simple steel rod (not a sharpening rod) or the spine edge of another knife.  There are many ways to sharpen, hone and strop a knife.  While I strop on a leather strop, I also improvise with paper or cardboard quite often.  For sharpening the surface doesn't exactly need to be flat either like some may preach. 

Oddly enough I just shot a video doing a knife on a stone that was nowhere near flat, just to prove the point that you don't need a wet stone that is honed flat to sharpen a knife.  If I would have seen this post prior I would have shown some other improvised methods, but I am sure youtube has some vids. 

Drck,

I carry that rod one as well.
Works good on my k-bar mini machete.

The one I got has one round side and one flat side.

I have one that's round and one that is more oval with pointed ends with one side fine and one side coarse.  The round one was in my fishing tackle box/bag for years.  I have to watch what the one gets in contact with as it will corrode/react with stuff.  It came with a leather sheath which I had to dump many years ago. 

I have a small diamond rod sharpener now. I used to carry a small stone. I don't know if they still make it but Spyderco made an interesting one in the shape of a small fin that had a lot of angle and surface shape options. I have that in my bail out bag.

The diamond products are nice but you have to be careful not to press too hard or you can dislodge the stones. The all in 1 grits don't seem to leave the best edge either. I mean it will be sufficiently sharp but maybe not hair shaving sharp.

You could make your own if you wanted. Good sandpaper on a hard flat object or even on neoprene (for a convex edge) can get the job done.

Benchmade has a pretty simple "field sharpener" that is two blades on an angle.  Very much like the Lansky one that I have.  It gets knives back to decently sharp very quickly, but not great. 

    I have these in the Garage, truck and go bag. Small, light all purpose form EDC to machetes, garden pruners, scrapers etc...
Just got to get the angle right and DON'T use a lot of pressure. lighter is better

     I also strop my EDC on cardboard whenever I see a piece handy,
Puts a quick polishing edge on already sharp knife.

I've been toying with them again lately.  Just can't get the hang of them or maybe my expectations are too high.