How do you sharpen knives in the field?

[pianoman9701]

I have a small diamond steel and a Lansky Sharpeners system. I really like the Lansky because you can get an exact angle even when you're all excited over a half-skinned animal on the ground.  What do you guys keep in your kill packs for sharpening in the field?

[rtspring]

Havalon, and never look back!    Although I keep a swingblade with me also.. 

[Bean Counter]

I too have a lansky. It works but I wonder what's out there that's better. I like the consistent angle but have grown tired at how small the stones are. I've also broke two of the plastic brackets that hold the stones. I bought a 4 pack of pearing knives at costco that were both good quality and very inexpensive as well as two longer blades that were also well priced. With all that and two drop point knives I don't even need to sharpen in the field for a bull elk and anything less.

[h20hunter]

Yep, what Rt said.  Old blade comes off and gets dropped into an empty water bottle. New blade goes on.

[Whitpirate]

Havalon Titan.  Never look back.  I keep a small collapsable diamond sharp to touch up the ends of the fixed blade on the Titan and carry about 10 scapel blades for the flex side.  I've used it on 5 animals we've butchered on the farm and it works great.  Hope to use it on a mule deer this weekend.

http://www.havalon.com/double-blade-hunting-knife-shockey-titan-red-xt-tred.html

[pianoman9701]

I do use the Havalon for skinning, but not for quartering and trimming. I had one of the blades unattach last year inside the meat and it took me a while to find it. I like the bigger knife Wazukie made me for the quartering and trimming. That's what I use the Lansky for.

[Rainier10]

I carry a Wyoming knife and fixed custom made knife.  The Wyoming will make it through the animal on what I use it for and the fixed will need sharpening.  I have a small sharpener that has a carbide V and a ceramic V for touching up the blade.  When I get back I just change the blade out in the Wyoming and give the fixed a good tune up.

[buglebrush]

I don't. 

Havalon and Outdoor Edge Razor.  One skins the other bones.  Change blades when I flip the elk over to do the other side. 

[7mmfan]

Havalon Titan.  Never look back.  I keep a small collapsable diamond sharp to touch up the ends of the fixed blade on the Titan and carry about 10 scapel blades for the flex side.  I've used it on 5 animals we've butchered on the farm and it works great.  Hope to use it on a mule deer this weekend.

http://www.havalon.com/double-blade-hunting-knife-shockey-titan-red-xt-tred.html

Picked one of these up for this year after having a friend break down his whole elk with one.

[Bofire]

whet stone
Carl

[TheHunt]

Havalon for everything.  i have deboned a few elk with the Havalon and it works great.  When I have to quarter an animal in the filed I use a battery powered sawzall with a bone saw blade.  I saw a mature man do this on a hill side and i helped him load his quarters in his truck.  I learn from others. 

[pianoman9701]

Havalon for everything.  i have deboned a few elk with the Havalon and it works great.  When I have to quarter an animal in the filed I use a battery powered sawzall with a bone saw blade.  I saw a mature man do this on a hill side and i helped him load his quarters in his truck.  I learn from others.

That's a cool idea for the kill pack.

[WAnoob]

Havalon for everything.  i have deboned a few elk with the Havalon and it works great.  When I have to quarter an animal in the filed I use a battery powered sawzall with a bone saw blade.  I saw a mature man do this on a hill side and i helped him load his quarters in his truck.  I learn from others.

That is a great idea, we used a chainsaw for moose where weight wasn't an issue.

[HawkCreek]

A strip of wet dry sandpaper and my belt to strop with, same way I sharpen at home. I thought about adding a small sharpening steel a few times but I've never needed one yet.

[Bean Counter]

I do use the Havalon for skinning, but not for quartering and trimming. I had one of the blades unattach last year inside the meat and it took me a while to find it. I like the bigger knife Wazukie made me for the quartering and trimming. That's what I use the Lansky for.

I'd been wondering about that--blades poppin' off and all.. I can get through a deer with just one gut hook and one pearing knife so I don't quite get the fascination with switching blades. Maybe for elk in the back country and that's about it.