KNIFE SHARPENING SYSTEM - ESPECIALLY FOR THE NOVICE OR A PERSON WITH LESS PATIENCE

[Marshwheeling]

Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener. Two grades of diamond-embedded plates (they have a wider range available), a ceramic hone and a leather strop in a package about the size of a large harmonica, too big for my pocket, but easy enough to stash in a back pack or travel bag. It was under $30, but the price is creeping up.
The strop gets the most use. My knives cut paper cleanly and most of them will shave arm hair.

 

[KSDrifter]

I've invested a small fortune into Arks. I freaking love stones! Unfortunately, though they get there eventually, Arks aren't efficient on "super steels" in my opinion.

I have the Spiderco system. It's not for me. Belt drive is where it's at for me. I've never had better edges.

 

[StrawHat]

Years ago my late father gave me a new big Ka-Bar knife. Being old school, I went to work on it with my Buck sharpening kit, together with the Buck device that would hold the knife blade at the proper angle. That knife must have had really good steel in it because it took me 3 hours to put a good edge on that knife.

Pop brought home a Buck 110 (?) lock back folder. Told me to sharpen it. Yes Sir, was the correct answer. Several days later, I brought it back. "Really? You think this is sharp?" Back to work and when it was finally approved, Pop asked me "What did you learn?" My answer was "never to sharpen one of those again!"

Pop's response, "You should have learned you were using the wrong tool to do the job!"

Since then? I have at least 300 flat stones, diamond, Arkansas, Washita, Carborundem, sandstone, limestone and many others. The correct tool for the job!

Kevin