Thread: Prepping hone

Ok guys I am building bug out bag and have a question for you all. I need a hone that I can use. This does not have to be a normal hone that we use for razors. I will have a hatchet that will be made out of cr13 stainless and the knife will be 1095 carbon around 56 hardness. I really don't know where to start so any info would be great. I will have a bastard file with me just not sure what I need for a hone. I would like to have the knife be fairly sharp. Thanks again

For a knife and hatchet I would pack a soft Arkansas. Fast enough, and fine enough to maintain them well.

Originally Posted by robellison01

For a knife and hatchet I would pack a soft Arkansas. Fast enough, and fine enough to maintain them well.

First thought I had too,,, you have the file for any real damage so I would think you are good to go

Dual grit diamond plate.

It does not have to be that big to be effective. I keep one in my tool bag, can’t tell you how many time I have pulled it out, from sharpening razor knives to beveling sharp corners. The file will do the heavy work, diamonds will put a quick cutting edge on a knife or ax. Always carry a 3 in one in a pack.

I agree with Euclid440 - dual grit diamond plate will get the job done quick; won't wear out nor break (unless you run over it with a truck) and can produce a fine edge without requiring any honing fluid.

So what would be a good one for this. The dual plate sounds good. I just don't want a super heavy one.

I keep a 6X2 in dual grit similar to this one on ebay, but mine is more like a 300 /1000 grit. I think I paid about $10 for it and it works great.

I also recently picked up a 6X1in diamond file, 400 /1000 like this, it is great for razor work, but would work well for what you want, or for a tool bag. It will easily hone a knife or ax, the handle might make sharpening an ax a bit safer. I bought mine for $10, from a tool vendor at an Antique Flea Market I go to often, but I see what appears to be the same one on Amazon here.

I also keep a 3X1 EZ lap in dual grit diamond hone in a leather slip case in my backpack. Had it for years don’t recall where I got it.

For knives and axes, definitely diamonds and a dual plate would help if you got a nick in the axe or blade. My Gransfor Bruks axe travels with me a LOT as I have actually skinned a deer last year to just see if it could be done. No problem. A quality axe can replace a heavy knife...just food for thought.