Good knife sharpening solution for traveling?

[fuzzybabybunny]

I need a knife sharpening solution that is really light and compact since I travel all the time.

The hostels that I stay at never ever have sharp knives, so cooking is frustrating, which is why I bring my own knife (a small general purpose knife from Gerber which is OK at everything but honestly doesn't excel at any one thing, which is fine.) I also have a Leatherman that I need to keep sharp.

The lightest option would be to get one of those small things with the two diagonal metal files which you just draw the knife across. What's wrong with these ones?

A super small whetstone seems like it could be ineffective since its hard to draw the entire length of the blade across it in one swipe? A bigger one would be too heavy and bulky.

 

[shortylickens]

get the little kitchen sharpener, it works and its inexpensive.


http://www.amazon.com/Ceramic-Sharpener-Kitchen-Pocket-Sharpening/dp/B00MN20MO2/

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

get the little kitchen sharpener, it works and its inexpensive.


http://www.amazon.com/Ceramic-Sharpener-Kitchen-Pocket-Sharpening/dp/B00MN20MO2/

OK, yeah, this is what I was alluding to in my OP. But some people insist on just using a whetstone and doing it by hand. Does this actually get your knives close to factory sharp? I have no experience with getting knifes really sharp.

 

[shortylickens]

Not unless you know exactly what you are doing, and are also willing to make time for it. The kitchen sharpeners work well and dont take much time. I'd use that.

 

[sdifox]

It is not easy to use a whetstone and not destroy your blade. Getting the angle right takes a lot of practice.

 

[lxskllr]

You can use a small stone by holding the blade fixed, and use circular strokes with the stone. A medium stone(both hardness and size) would be the best compromise. Still small and light, but easier to handle than a small stone.

 

[mgttr]

Similar to the one Shorty posted, can also do serrated knives:

http://www.amazon.com/Smiths-PP1-Pocket-Multifunction-Sharpener/dp/B000O8OTNC/ref=pd_sim_469_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=418q7JUIv2L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0H096X3NYH202ZHTD8JP

 

[disappoint]

I use the Edge Pro. I never liked those little ceramic or carbide sharpeners. I've tried them, they just don't get the knives sharp enough for me.

Edge Pro has a carrying case it all fits in, but it is kind of big. Not exactly compact or travel size. I think it's worth it though.

 

[madoka]

Does this actually get your knives close to factory sharp? I have no experience with getting knifes really sharp.

Reality check, you are cooking in hostels, not preparing fugu. You don't need a knife to be ultra sharp; just not dull. Any of the ones posted will do the job.

 

[NikolaeVarius]

I don't understand this fascination with keeping ultra sharp knives EVERYWHERE you go.

An ultra sharp knife is about 99 items down the list of "things that make food taste good"

 

[Imp]

I don't understand this fascination with keeping ultra sharp knives EVERYWHERE you go.

An ultra sharp knife is about 99 items down the list of "things that make food taste good"

When you gotta shiv someone, you gotta shiv someone...

 

[notposting]

Get the whetstone and just figure it out. Will be far more versatile on different blades (different angles, kitchen, utility, your straight razor) and you will learn a manly fuzzy skill.

 

[disappoint]

I don't understand this fascination with keeping ultra sharp knives EVERYWHERE you go.

An ultra sharp knife is about 99 items down the list of "things that make food taste good"

A sharp knife won't make food taste good but it will make preparing food much more enjoyable.

Unless you're cutting any fruit, veg., or herb whose essential oils or juices belong in it than all over the cutting board.

 

[Matthiasa]

If one doesn't want to buy something the bottom of most mugs will also work.

 

[John Connor]

I need a knife sharpening solution that is really light and compact since I travel all the time.

The hostels that I stay at never ever have sharp knives, so cooking is frustrating, which is why I bring my own knife (a small general purpose knife from Gerber which is OK at everything but honestly doesn't excel at any one thing, which is fine.) I also have a Leatherman that I need to keep sharp.

The lightest option would be to get one of those small things with the two diagonal metal files which you just draw the knife across. What's wrong with these ones?

A super small whetstone seems like it could be ineffective since its hard to draw the entire length of the blade across it in one swipe? A bigger one would be too heavy and bulky.

I question your motives. :sneaky:

 

[JamesV]

Sharpening with a stone is a skill. If you have to ask, you don't have the skill, and your knives will most likely be damaged trying to gain that skill.

I use http://www.midlandhardware.com/154327.html?gclid=CNWnxK_74cgCFQkuaQodqe0DkA#.Vi8MvnlzNhE

which is a <$5 option that sharpens my camping knives that regularly are abused, and I even use it for my kitchen knives. Works incredibly well. Unless you have some $200+ speciality knife, that option is simply the best and anyone that says otherwise works for a company that wants you to spend more.

If you want to try a stone, don't be suckered into some Japanese stone for $50+; use the http://www.homedepot.com/p/Norton-6-in-Tool-and-Knife-Sharpener-87933/203204893 .

That stone costs next to nothing, and is HUGE so literally every swipe gains you 4 swipes over some tiny stone (plus you can sharpen your hatchet, machete, or even a sword if you have one).

 

[lxskllr]

If you want to try a stone, don't be suckered into some Japanese stone for $50+; use the http://www.homedepot.com/p/Norton-6-in-Tool-and-Knife-Sharpener-87933/203204893 .

That stone costs next to nothing, and is HUGE so literally every swipe gains you 4 swipes over some tiny stone (plus you can sharpen your hatchet, machete, or even a sword if you have one).

That's about all that kind of stone's good for. I wouldn't use it on any kind of fine steel. For a couple dollars more, you can get a real Arkansas stone, and it won't look like micro beavers chewed on your knife blade.

 

[disappoint]

Shapton Glass stones are my favorite. Do a search for them. They have them for the Edge Pro as well. They're not exactly cheap but they last a long time.

 

[Scarpozzi]

For what the stone costs in time and effort, have you considered just buying a small disposable knife to carry? Kitchen knives don't come with sheaths, so that's going to be a problem, but these are typically sharp, come with sheaths, and hold a decent edge:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000LF7Q1A?keywords=bait knife&qid=1445949500&ref_=sr_1_15&sr=8-15

You can typically pick them up in the sporting goods section of most Walmarts too with sheaths.

 

[Artdeco]

Reality check, you are cooking in hostels, not preparing fugu. You don't need a knife to be ultra sharp; just not dull. Any of the ones posted will do the job.

This is some kind of lead in to some kind of massacre?

 

[slag]

get the little kitchen sharpener, it works and its inexpensive.


http://www.amazon.com/Ceramic-Sharpener-Kitchen-Pocket-Sharpening/dp/B00MN20MO2/

Those things never worked well for me. I never cared for this item either:

http://www.amazon.com/Smiths-PP1-Po...id=1445955471&sr=8-7&keywords=knife+sharpener

I have this one and love it. Very easy to use and very compact, works great on everything.

http://www.amazon.com/Annengjin®-Ou...5576&sr=8-45&keywords=compact+knife+sharpener

 

[clamum]

Spyderco Sharpmaker. I have one; it works very well on about any knife or scissors, and collapses down into a small carrying case (maybe 8"x2.5"x1").

 

[MongGrel]

Learning to sharpen a knife on a whetstone is an acquired skill, like learning how to sharpen a drill bit manually properly on an offhand grinder.

Unless you want to take the time to learn how, there are other things out there.

That's about all that kind of stone's good for. I wouldn't use it on any kind of fine steel. For a couple dollars more, you can get a real Arkansas stone, and it won't look like micro beavers chewed on your knife blade.

A real old school Arkansas stone is one of the best routes, if you are going there.