Best ultra lightweight knife sharpener

Minuteman · Feb 8, 2015

I'm a knife rookie, but I've learned a lot mostly through this forum the last few years. I don't consider myself a knife guy, but I've picked up several since tuning in here.

My question is...

I see a lot of lightweight camping/hiking throw in your 'get home bag' or 'bug out bag' knives, many with good sheaths and firestarters (most typically fero rods); but what is the best ultra lightweight knife sharpener to keep with your knife?

I picked up a tiny carbide sharpener for this purpose, but I read it really strips a knife and shouldn't be used very often; mostly only to fix damaged edges. So ceramic, or a stone, or maybe a diamond stone? What's the best to affix to a sheath and always have handy?

Lansky (the sharpener company) calls this category of sharpeners 'pocket' sharpeners: http://lansky.com/index.php/pocket-sharpeners/

This one probably has the most options, but it's a little larger and heavier than I was hoping to find:

JBinDC · Feb 8, 2015

I'm a big fan of picking these up when I see em at gun shows or surplus shops. Cheap, effective, and can be put on a keychain:

http://www.galaxyarmynavy.com/item-3242.asp#.VNgrcfnF-So

Bob A · Feb 8, 2015

If you're desperate, a nice smooth hunk of rock is better than nothing.

lsw · Feb 8, 2015

I carry one of these when I'm camping. You couldn't repair a nick or abused, dull blade with one, but they are good for touchups:

http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-09841-...54679&sr=8-3&keywords=gerber+pocket+sharpener

JBinDC · Feb 8, 2015

lsw said:
I carry one of these when I'm camping. You couldn't repair a nick or abused, dull blade with one, but they are good for touchups:

http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-09841-...54679&sr=8-3&keywords=gerber+pocket+sharpener

Nice! I wonder if those would work on CRKT Veff serrations...

lsw · Feb 8, 2015

I made a mistake with that link, this is the one I really have:

http://www.amazon.com/Smiths-DRET-D...=1423455856&sr=8-10&keywords=pocket+sharpener

Not sure if the similar Gerber sharpener has the taper at one end of the diamond stick like this Smith sharpener does.

I'm not familiar with the CRKT Veff but it does do a credible job on most serrated blades.

WeaponsCollector · Feb 8, 2015

If you ever need a sharpener and don't have one, consider this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zleVA9yxdm8

LimaVictor · Feb 9, 2015

That little GI keychain sharpener has been good to me when out in the field. I alternate between that and the Croc Sticks when I am on the road and don't have my belt sander, sharpmaker or spyderco bench stones. It I am carrying a serrated knife then the croc stick comes along. If a straight edge then the GI will do.

ohen cepel · Feb 9, 2015

I have a DMT folding sharpener. Carried it all over Afghanistan in the pouch on my knife sheath and used it a lot (surprised how many guys didn't have a sharpener). Worked great, just needs a little water. It's the way I would go again. Large enough to be useful, I would worry about the small ones not being as useful and I would not want one which limited me to angles they set. Balance of weight and usefulness in my mind. I would accept the extra ounce or 2 to have something which works well than a light one which was poor.

PgRefugee · Feb 9, 2015

I've always used the spyderco double stuf, medium and fine ceramics epoxied together. Light weight and will put a razor edge on a knife. Or a fallkniven DC4.

Speed3 · Feb 9, 2015

great info guys, thanks!

alucard0822 · Feb 9, 2015

Spyderco ceramic pocket stones for actual sharpening, they have some that are profiled on the edges to match their serrations. If you can match and hold an angle then a hand stone can be fine, but small cheap sharpeners are a good way to mess up a knife. For a weekend or even a month of camping, a good knife in good steel will hold a sharp edge, depending on use, damage is more likely than wear, especially of the microedge burr. For at least a month you can just straighten out a roll or gouge with a piece of steel with an edge, then strop on most any tough material, leather works great, but cardboard or canvas is fine too. So a belt or strap to strop it, and the back of another knife, saw or edge of a hatchet to straighten a bent edge. If you straighten out the edge first you have a MUCH easier time with a handstone, and have to take off much less material if you won't be around civilization for a long time, or if your knife will see heavy use beyond camping or basic survival. In all likelihood you could just wait and use whatever your preffered sharpening system is once you get home.

smdub · Feb 9, 2015

I have some handheld diamond 'paddles' with plastic handles. Probably only 1/8" thick and seriously weigh next to nothing. In a SHTF scenario one would be all you really need. Cant remember who makes mine but doing a quick search, DMT (and others) make similar pocket-able things that don't have a fixed handle. A different grit on each side would be even better. Im sure someone makes them.

I don't think you're going to be able to beat a diamond plate for "ultra lightweight" that the OP is looking for.

outrider58 · Feb 9, 2015

WeaponsCollector said:
If you ever need a sharpener and don't have one, consider this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zleVA9yxdm8

Been doing that for years.

As far as GHPs, I would go with a two sided wet stone and a small crock stick. KISS.

Minuteman · Feb 9, 2015

smdub said:
I have some handheld diamond 'paddles' with plastic handles. Probably only 1/8" thick and seriously weigh next to nothing. In a SHTF scenario one would be all you really need. Cant remember who makes mine but doing a quick search, DMT (and others) make similar pocket-able things that don't have a fixed handle. A different grit on each side would be even better. Im sure someone makes them.

I don't think you're going to be able to beat a diamond plate for "ultra lightweight" that the OP is looking for.

Thanks everyone for the excellent tips. I have to agree, this super compact diamond sharpener looks like the ticket.

I found this version that was about half the price of the one (also by Smith's) that slides into the handle; I'm not sure the handle is worth twice the price. I think I'd rather have two of these than one of those Smiths 50447 ~ $11

SRD · Feb 9, 2015

smdub said:
I have some handheld diamond 'paddles' with plastic handles. Probably only 1/8" thick and seriously weigh next to nothing. In a SHTF scenario one would be all you really need. Cant remember who makes mine but doing a quick search, DMT (and others) make similar pocket-able things that don't have a fixed handle. A different grit on each side would be even better. Im sure someone makes them.

I don't think you're going to be able to beat a diamond plate for "ultra lightweight" that the OP is looking for.

I have a few of these http://www.knife-depot.com/knife-12869.html ,different brands, (tackle box,hunting pack,glovebox(s),etc.) but I like that^.

JBinDC · Feb 9, 2015

Those are sweet, and seemingly really packable!

cb51 · Feb 10, 2015

I always have my cut down Eze-Lap model L in my wallet, with a few other edc tools. Works great.

zombiehunter · Feb 10, 2015

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HZKAIAK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have that and I'm quite pleased with it. Put a nice edge back on my neglected CRKT with just a few strokes.

Mule · Feb 10, 2015

lsw said:
Not sure if the similar Gerber sharpener has the taper at one end of the diamond stick like this Smith sharpener does.

The Gerber doesn't have the tapered end, like the Smith's rod does.

One end of the rod has a "D" shape (with a round side and a flat side), and also has a groove for fish hooks and darts, but the opposite end of the rod is a just plain steel cylinder with no diamond.

Best ultra lightweight knife sharpener

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