best sharpener for my hunting knives?

[earlmarne]

i grew up watchin my family run their knives over stones and gettin em sharp as hell.ive tried and tried and aint worth a darn at it.ive been researching clamp style sharpeners n it seems these are the ticket.i have a nice pull through but am not satisfied with the edge it puts on my blades.i dont have alot of cash but i need to get something that will ensure a great cutting edge.any help here would be much appreciated

[Helix]

Fine automotive finish sandpaper on a piece of wood then a leather strop.  Scary Sharp in no time and pretty cheap.  You tube search stroping. Maybe 2 ps not sure.

[Moose-head]

I like the clamp style like the Lanskys.  They guide your sharpening stone so that you always have the correct angle.  They get the knife sharp and they prevent the user from making a wrong angle and messing the edge up.

[mtndew]

I use a Gatco clamp style system. They work great!

[couesbitten]

What Helix said, check this site and the sharpening link on the left. http://www.ctknives.com/index.htm

[earlmarne]

thanks for the replies im likin the idea of the sand paper n stropping.ive been looking at the clamp ones but it seems i dont need any extra gear

[splitshot]

i like the old steels the butchers use.  it takes a while to learn but they are quick and good.  i have a fine and coarse.  mike w

[earlmarne]

i think im sold on the stropping.i just ordered a knife from rainshadow n am going to give the convex edges a go

[huntnphool]

 Get a Cutco and they sharpen it for free for life, perhaps the best knife I have ever owned. I was never a fan of serrated blades either but I have had this one since 08, used it on many animals since, and just had it sharpened a couple weeks ago...........for free. I used to carry several different knives while packing/hunting, not anymore. http://www.cutco.com/products/product.jsp?itemGroup=5719

[toothfangclaw]

Get a Cutco and they sharpen it for free for life, perhaps the best knife I have ever owned. I was never a fan of serrated blades either but I have had this one since 08, used it on many animals since, and just had it sharpened a couple weeks ago...........for free. I used to carry several different knives while packing/hunting, not anymore. http://www.cutco.com/products/product.jsp?itemGroup=5719

love cutco knives.

[lokidog]

I've been using a Chef's Choice manual diamond hone #440.  It does a pretty good job of reestablishing an edge.

[carpsniperg2]

I can sharpen a knife o.k on a stone or stick. That being said, I have been having great luck with my outdoor edge sharpener.

[300rum]

I like the lansky to get my edge angle perfect. 

In my pack I have a tongue depressor with two types of sandpaper glued on to either side.  This is the quickest way I have found to field sharpen and I can't think of anything lighter.  You can use a fingernail file but they don't have enough surface area or rigidity for me, they will work though.

[hughjorgan]

Get a Cutco and they sharpen it for free for life, perhaps the best knife I have ever owned. I was never a fan of serrated blades either but I have had this one since 08, used it on many animals since, and just had it sharpened a couple weeks ago...........for free. I used to carry several different knives while packing/hunting, not anymore. http://www.cutco.com/products/product.jsp?itemGroup=5719

Sharpest most durable edged knives I have ever used.

[elkaholic123]

I have the cardboard wheels on my bench grinder......takes a little practice but they are awesome. http://sharpeningmadeeasy.com/paper.htm#parts

[sebek556]

had a gatco sharping system with the clamps for years, then got into some d2 tool steel and it was driving me crazy hours upon hours getting a edge of that stuff. Wife got me a Knifeworks electric sharpener that thing is awesome. It's a little belt sander with guides and really just blow right through them.

[Axle]

More than once I've been in the field with a need for a sharpener and nothing to be found in my pack. I picked up a good round rock, used it as a sharpening stone, then pulled off my leather belt to finish it off. Worked great too.

[Alpine Mojo]

More than once I've been in the field with a need for a sharpener and nothing to be found in my pack. I picked up a good round rock, used it as a sharpening stone, then pulled off my leather belt to finish it off. Worked great too.

This is a good example of why you should learn how to use a stone.  It will also save you money in the long run on all the gimmicks and gadgets you wont end up buying.

[Wea300mag]

I use both the Gatco and a Chef's Choice electric sharpener, both work well. I also carry a Havalon knife with multiple replacement blades. I skinned and quartered an elk with the Havalon last year with two blades, the first blade broke taking the rear quarters apart. From now on its the Havalon for skinning and my Cub Bear (knives of Alaska) for quartering.

[carpsniperg2]

You know Dan I had the same thing happen multiple times last year with my havlon blades. I like the knife but the blades break way to easy. Wish they could make them a little thicker. I also took one threw the finger last year They are sharp

[BOWHUNTER45]

bar none ...this is the best knife sharpener i ever layed my hands on ...easy to use and runs a razor sharp edge in no time ..SMITHS SM-DCS4 COMBO KNIFE SHARPENER 

[Dan-o]

I always have one of those little $3 ceramic blade sharpeners in my fanny pack (with the two fixed little ceramic rods pre-set at the "right" angle.

I bet most guys are like me and would get a much sharper knife with the cheap $3 sharpener than with any rock.   I just don't think most guys can hold a good angle consistently (I know I don't do a good job at it).

I love my stupid cheap little sharpener.

[Dan-o]

bar none ...this is the best knife sharpener i ever layed my hands on ...easy to use and runs a razor sharp edge in no time ..SMITHS SM-DCS4 COMBO KNIFE SHARPENER 

How do you hold a consistent angle   (is there any mechanical asist?)?     

Is it pretty easy to use?

Thanks!

[BOWHUNTER45]

bar none ...this is the best knife sharpener i ever layed my hands on ...easy to use and runs a razor sharp edge in no time ..SMITHS SM-DCS4 COMBO KNIFE SHARPENER 

How do you hold a consistent angle   (is there any mechanical asist?)?     

Is it pretty easy to use?

Thanks!

its not that tuff with a little practice... just hold the knife at a 22 degree angle ...or close to it and run the knife on the sharpener about 6x each side ...and repeat that for about 10 to 15 times ....This smith sharpener I showed ya has a handle on it and is a diamond sharpener ...one side is course and one side is fine ....I guarantee you it will sharpen a knife right now !!! I think we all have owned our share of sharpeners but I am here to tell ya this is THE ONE  ABOUT $15 ...PLUS fits in your pack perfectly about 7" long 

[Dan-o]

Sweet.  thanks.

[KopperBuck]

bar none ...this is the best knife sharpener i ever layed my hands on ...easy to use and runs a razor sharp edge in no time ..SMITHS SM-DCS4 COMBO KNIFE SHARPENER 

I carry this one in my pack as well if I've got room.

I've also carry the cheap plastic one mentioned as a just in case deal.

I've also got the Lasky system, I like it as well. But it usually stays at home while the other ones will go with me.

[grousegetter]

I too have a hard time getting a good edge on my knives... I have a gerber skinning knife, and I also carry a kershaw blackhorse? Anyway, I use a dmt sharpener http://www.dmtsharp.com/sharpeners/guided-sharpening/magna-guide-kits/ and it seems to work well, but I still cant shave with them... I've also tried a gatco, and it worked ok, and for a quick sharpen in the field i've used a speedy sharp. http://speedysharp.net/
The speedy sharp can put a decent edge on a knife, but I wouldn't use it on an expensive blade. Its probably best for a quick and dirty type of sharpening, its cheap and light, but it will tear the edge of the blade because its basically a machining tool, But it works.