[9mmforMe]

The one I have in mind is the plastic jobbie that has the tungsten carbide inserts and the handle protects your fingers as you sharpen the blade. I know they work, but what I really wondered is do they damage the knife blade?

[Zeke/PA]

I had a few of these and it seemed like they put a mini "serated" edge on the blade which I didn't like.
Needless to say, I tossed them.

[GURU1911]

If you want something small & portable to carry in your coat pocket or in your trail pack, they will do a passable job. However, the "spyderco v-stick" system will produce a hair-shaving edge if you do you part---i have had mine for almost 20 years & have been more than satisfied with its performance.

[Geneseo1911]

They work, but they remove a tremendous amount of metal, and don't leave much of an edge. They kind of "tear" the metal off, leaving a rough, jagged edge. This can cut very well for a while, especially using a sawing motion.

I have one, which I keep around for when I need to remove a bunch of metal fast. I got a freebie (being a farmer has its perks) knife the other day which was the style where one side is beveled and the other is flat. I wanted to have both sides beveled so it can be easily sharpened, and because the factory edge, while sharp, was too delicate. The carbide worked well for this. I've also used it to grind a blade down past a damaged area so it could be sharpened again.

That said, they really aren't the Right way. I'm just too cheap to buy the correct tools, so I use a crutch that I already have.

[zignal_zero]

if you love your knives, you'll smash a carbide sharpener with a sledgehammer for even looking at them :D

seriously, don't let that thing touch your knives. it's like buying cigarettes for your kids :(

edit to add - but YES, cheapies do work. a lot of guys get by with some sandpaper and a mouse pad (convex edge). no reason to go big, but carbide is really bad.

[9mmforMe]

Seems like these are not the greatest sharpeners, but might be used in a pinch in the field. Personally I can't sharpen a knife well at all with the Spyderco system, or really any other system, and I have practiced. I could always pay to have then sharpened, but hate to go that route.

[stan rose]

One of the neatest, inexpensive, portable sharpeners I have is a Lansky chopsticks. It cost about $20, the ceraminc rod store in the hardwood block, and allows for twenty and twenty five degree edge angles. It is small, inexpensive and really works well. I keep one in my truck, car, and packs.

[Black Toe Knives]

I carry an Eze Lap Credit card sharpening steel in my wallet. I swear by it.

[hso]

If you can't get an edge on a "V" type sharpener it's because you're not keeping the body of the blade vertical and you're constantly rolling your blade in hand changing the angle of contact with the rods.

Stand over the "V" sharpener and slowly press DOWN vertically and let the blade slide down the rod as you do this. Focus on keeping the body of the blade vertical. Do this on one side of the blade for a couple of dozen strokes and then feel the edge opposite where it was contacting the stone for a wire edge that was turned by the contact with the stone on the opposite side. Repeat the same process on the wire edge side of the knife on the other rod on the sharpener. Stay focused on keeping the blade vertical and pressing gently down and allowing the blade to slide down the rod. Do this the same count as the first side. You should feel the wire edge on the opposite side now. Switch sides again and make just a couple of passed down the rod as before and then feel for the wire edge. If you do find it, switch sides and make a couple of passes and then strop your edge on cardboard.

[9mmforMe]

Thanks hso...good to remember.

[TimboKhan]

I stink at freehand sharpening, but I can get a decent enough edge with a Sharpmaker. In addition to the Sharpmaker, I have a little Smith pull through sharpener that is small enough to carry in my bag or pocket, and it is OK. It has carbide and ceramic slots, and it works good enough to merit taking into the field.

The ceramic works well enough that one of my Case knives went from dull to just able to shave hair in a pretty short period of time, but as mentioned, I would normally reserve this for camping trips and stuff like that.