Smiths DCS4 4 Diamond Combination Sharpener - Double Sided Stone - Outdoor Field Knife Sharpener - Fish Hook

This one is different than the first one I own. The cover is different but both are awesome. Took me awhile to study that the block pulls straight out and reverses while my older one has a separate cover. I believe the new one is a tad longer in the block or handle. I rarely use the coarse side but the #750 side does a great job when i don't want to pull out the big blocks and stones. Its quick and convenient for a sharp edge. The V sharpeners often mar your edge with nicks and gouges so I recommend these for those quick field jobs. Read more

Great sharpener, easy to carry in the pocket since the handle houses the sharpening plates. Super easy to use and made well. (use with oil or water at the least - it will help extend the life of the diamond plates). Overall very satisfied and I sharpen probably 6 to 8 knives a day with it since I've had it. Highly recommended. Read more

Works really well. The knives come out very sharp. Read more

I think this is a useful and practical sharpener, but tends to be a jack of all trades: It offers flexibility but doesn't do one thing exceedingly well. Here are some observations based on my experience: Pros: Combination of Coarseness: I like that this tool comes with both a coarse and fine stone. I have various knives and blades in various conditions: Sometimes a fine stone is just not enough to bring back a neglected edge to where it should be and I find the coarse stone is just what I need. While I think the descriptions are reasonably accurate, this stone does take a learning curve to master. Initially, both sides act coarser than they should be, as the diamonds break and wear to a more consistent surface. It will seem, then, that it quickly loses its effectiveness, when in reality it is just breaking in. Utility: On both sides of the stones, there is a flat patch for very small blades, which is nice. There is also a groove on both stones for sharpening points of, say, fish hooks or needles. I'm not sure how often I'll be sharpening my fish hooks, but it's a thoughtful feature. The cover turns around to form a handle and, though made of plastic, it has held up well and doesn't allow the stone to shift when sharpening. Unlike a more traditional stone meant to sit flat on a surface, this one is best held at an angle, keeping the tip held on a surface with the handle. This is how I've been using it and find that works best for me. The relatively small size of this sharpener requires a different technique than having a large stone to work on, using both hands on the blade, when the stone sits on a flat surface. Overall, this stone is able to sharpen a broad range of edges, whether on knives, wood carving tools, etc. Effectiveness: I have found this stone to be effective sharpening a range of tools, from my high carbon kitchen knives, to my EDC folder, to my stainless multitool blades. It works, and I've been happy with it. Cons: Size: I'm not sure this is a con, but I find this tool somewhat awkward to use. Ideally, I prefer sharpening my tools, whatever they are, in the comfort of my shop, using both hands, on a large stone. With this, you just can't do that. Ah, you say, it's not meant for that! True... but I find myself, more often than not, sharpening my knives back at home after backpacking or camping, rather than on site where I can't do as good a job at it. I like its versatility and I do think it works really well. It's just that... this usually isn't the one I reach for. Would I use this one when I'm at home versus the larger stones on my bench? No. Would I take this one backpacking? No, because I'd be going into the back country with sharp blades to begin with and I'm certainly not going to carry something this heavy unless it's essential. Would I keep it in my truck? Mmmmm.... maybe, but 9 out of 10 times I'd be bringing my blades back home to sharpen anyway. Would I want this if I had to bug out due to zombie attack? Well, of course I would!!! But that hasn't happened yet and I'm starting to wonder if it will... Other Thoughts: This is a good quality, multi-purpose, compact sharpener at a pretty decent value. There are plenty of purists out there who would howl at the thought of allowing their blades to touch anything but crazy-expensive exotic water stones. Whatever. Unless you've just dropped your (or your kid's) college tuition on a blade that will never, ever be used for fear of getting a nick on the edge, this sharpener will work just fine and will give you a decent-to-near-scalpel edge if you use it properly. (with or without stropping for you edge geeks) The question is, is this the right tool for you? Personally, I find myself reaching for the stones that are dedicated to my bench top most often, and so this one ends up living in my camping gear. If you are short on space, though, or find yourself with a more portable lifestyle, this sharpener may be for you. Four stars for a quality sharpener at a great price. Read more

Sharp knife, excellent Read more

Awesome Knife sharpener. For the money you cant beat it. When sharpening, act like you are trying to slice off a thin layer of the stone and you will put a razor edge on your knife everytime. fits great in your hand and has a nice guard to protect you. Read more

This sharpener works very good. Ordered a new one as I misplaced my first one. Read more

Gave it a 3 because the fine side didn't last as long as I thought it should have Read more