I'm looking for a very small knife sharpener to include in my fanny pack. I'd like to be very light, easy to use, and to work on hunting knives, pocket knives, etc.

I'm getting so confused. The little diamond stone one seems nice, but you'd have to hold the right angle and all . . . which could be bad if I had to get my 10yo to do it for me. Saw this one at DiscountCutlery.com

Also, a file would be nice, because I could sharpen saw teeth if I had to.

Or there are these (also at DiscountCutlery):


DH says he wants something for our 10yo to sharpen his pocket knife himself that's easy, Something for me to carry in my fanny pack besides my stone (which is too heavy), Hmmm.

What do you think?

The smaller one in the picture is the one I keep on my key ring. I like carbide sharpeners much better than ceramic.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/produ ... el=983902X

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Jerry D Young

Good post as I've been meaning to get a small sharpener to carry around.

NB - I've seen the black one you pictured in action and it seems to work so-so...while you don't have to worry about the angle (as in the rod style you pictured) it doesn't seem to get the blades to a razor edge. Might just have been the type of steel in that particular knife, but I think for the harder blades like D2, that sharpener didn't really cut it.

Jerry - Jerry for the link as I might end up getting the one you recommend (the smaller one).

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If it's in your pack, but you don't know how to use it...it's useless. So, always test your skills as a form of preparation...Don't wait until your life depends on it. That's a lesson you don't want to learn the hard way.

Thank you for the information. It's so helpful when someone has actually used something.

I prefer the rod type sharpeners. Once you get the hang of it they're dandy for all kinds of blades.

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Retired Navy SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape) Instructor
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Swiss Istor have really great blade sharpeners. They are small and light enought to carry around.

http://www.swissistor.com.au/swissistor_products.php

Interesting design. I like the industrial look to those sharpeners but they are rather pricey. Anyone have any experience with them?

I looked at these, and for the price, I have to say I will pass on them. I have great results with my knives using regular sharpening stones. I keep a couple in each BOB and a higher quality 3 stone system with my hunting equipment. The stones in my BOBs cost me IIRC, 79 cents at TSC. with these and a scrap piece of leather, I can sharpen a well made knife so you could shave with it if you had to.

I agree with the concept that you get what you pay for, but there are exceptions to the rule.

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Another thought with the small pen knife sharpener is that you could (or your 10 yo) could cut yourself with this type of sharpener. There are no safe guards with this type of sharpener. Obviously care should always be taken in sharpening. I have a small ceramic rod sharpener that folds up in itself and is very light with a safe place for holding it. It also has a diamond flat hone in the handle to get the rough stuff out. Sorry i dont have a link but it is made by Smiths and they've been around since 1886