Thread: How do you sharpen your EDC knives?

I've got an SOG Trident folder that really needs to be resharpened. I've always used those cheap set-angle sharpeners with varying levels of success. However, now that Im learning to hone razors I feel like those cheap plastic sharpeners may be "cheating" and not giving me as good of an edge as I could be getting. So I've been looking at sharpening products and they range in price from $3 on up to around $1000, from Arkansas stones to those fancy electric sharpening gizmos. Personally I like the idea of stones, but on knife blades I always have a problem of holding the proper angle so Im worried about buying something like regular stones. Although I've only ever used handheld stones, so maybe something that actually comes with a base so I have both hands might work better.

I've also seen people talk about convex sharpening knives with great results using sandpaper. It sounds like a cool method for sharpening a knife, but they are using mouse pads and sandpaper and if the sh*t ever hits the fan (like a zombie apocalypse) those things may become scarce. I've seen people who are good with using stones sharpen knives on rocks. Now thats a skill that could be handy when outrunning a horde of brain hungry zombies.

So what say you. Whats your favorite method for sharpening your EDC knives?

*Sorry if theres a thread about this already. I searched and couldnt find too much about sharpening methods for knives.

I just use a standard hone. My tip is to keep the angle fairly wide and to use a 1000ish grit hone. I've taken them up to an 8000 and they get crazy sharp they also get fragile

DMT Fine/Extra fine. Easy to use, and it sharpens even those super-hard knife steels.

Check out EdgePro. I use that for all but my kitchen knives. love it!

I use a BBW.

I use this huge hone given to me by CJBianco, and now get the best knife edges I've ever gotten by far! I think it's some kind of slate? I have found that if you can hone razors, you can easily put a wicked edge on a knife; but yeah, you have to keep that angle consistent

I use a small spyderco ceramic med/fine in a little leather pouch. I touch up the edge every couple of days, just a couple of laps on each side and shes good to go.

I have a good bit of Ark. stones and diamond blocks/rods. If the knife is real dull a couple laps on the diamond block/rod, then touch it up on the Ark. I like to get them shaving sharp. Spyderco or my Leatherman. I started doing this long before I started straight razor shaving. Killed a 10 pt. buck in Nov. 12 and was just off from work. Well still in street clothes and carrying a dull Spyderco. Split open and gutted the beast using the dull Spyderco. Would have much preferred my Old Timer or Case.

I use my razor hones. Most of my knives (at least the ones I actually use and care about) are scandi grind blades. They are easy to sharpen with the same hones I use for razors. The only thing I change really is that I don't go all the way to the 12K and I use a leather paddle strop instead of my razor dedicated hanging strop. No real reason for the deviations though.

i use an india some arks and ceramic stones