Kerry,

It's nice to hear that it met your expectations.
Yes, it's not cheap, but you factor in the years you may have it or pass it along, then buying quality isn't so bad after all

I'm sure they sent a owners manual? but if they didn't you could probably get one/or at least care/lube directions on their website.

A good cleaning/lube/sharpening after every hard trip or few weeks of daily use will keep it opening " smooth as silk"

Just an update.  After many months of waiting on a backorder my Benchmade knife arrived today, this one: (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
and I have to tell you all, this is one of the finest pieces of cutlery I've ever handled.  First it comes sharp out of the box, and I mean razor sharp - literally.  The weight is perfect - light enough to carry in my pocket all day but with enough heft so that it feels like a tool that can take it.  The blade action is incredible.  It is designed to be opened with one hand and it does.  A flick of the wrist and the blade flips open smooth as silk.  When opened there isn't even a hint of play, the blade is fixed rock solid.  The blade design itself, a modified drop point with recurve, makes it a perfect bush knife - a broad taper for razor sharpness but a thick spine that gives it the strength to do some serious damage on wood, rope or whatever.  Another cool thing about this blade design is the length of the cutting surface.  It is sharpened all the way to the handle.  The balance is superb.  I'm so impressed.  I've never handled a folding knife that had the feel of a top quality fixed blade.  This blade is a nice addition to my gear and though it is by no means cheap, I know I'll be enjoying it for the rest of my life.

Will do!

prouboy

Puckster wrote on Feb 1^st, 2011 at 5:21am:


I have no doubt it will perform as advertised.
AG Russell is a first rate company and experts on knifes and there maintenance.
But, give us a little gear report when you get it, pro and con.
You can never get better advice than first hand experience

Just ordered my AG Russell sharpener!

prouboy

ST - The AG field sharpener looks to be exactly what I need! 

It's a small version of what I use at home.  Thanks much. 

prouboy

I'm not an expert by any means when it comes to knife sharpening.
I have ceramic rod sharpeners, DMT Diamond folding flat ones, in Fine/Medium/Coarse and Extra Coarse, as well as numerous oil stones and pocket sharpeners.

A couple of things I've learned is that while experts disagree about the proper angle for sharpening, they all agree keeping the angle consistent is critical.

Also, a light stroke is all you need. Depending on blade material (hardness) will determine the proper sharpener material you use. Some of the modern knife steels are so hard that while they hold an edge for a long time, they're very difficult to re-sharpen when dull if you don't have the proper tool.

Butchers like the carbon steel knifes. Easy to sharpen, but don't hold an edge as long as the more exotic steels will.

Most people have the hardest time maintaining a consistent angle using a stone/diamond sharpener. I do too. You can buy any number of sharpening systems that use mechanical means to hold a consistent angle, but most are not for pocket or field use.

I made a gadget for my diamond sharpeners. I got hold of some DELRIN stock. It's a white type plastic material they use in production molds etc.

My DMT sharpeners are approximately 1" wide. I cut the DELRIN the width of the DMT, and about 1 1/2" long, with a 45' angle on one end.
I used a small strip of Velcro to attach the DELRIN to DMT sharpener, with the flat base of DELRIN against the handle, and the angle toward the diamond surface. I made a shallow flat notch in top of DELRIN, so it won't slide under Velcro strap. The handle of folding sharpener acts as the stop.

Normally, you would lay the sharpener flat and stroke the knife at the proper angle, one side then the other.

My modification, you put the spine of the knife on a cutting board and hold the handle up toward you at a comfortable angle. The 45' angle lays on the side of knife. Starting at the the butt end, you just make a light stroke to tip, keeping the DELRIN/angle against the blade. Then switch hands and repeat on the other side. You start with a coarser stone to set the edge and then the finer ones to finish it. You could adapt this technique to any stone if you wished.

It's safe as you pushing Away from your body, but if your unsure or just a cautious person, you could wear some Kevlar filleting gloves if you wanted. A quick portable solution to keeping the proper angle using flat sharpeners. You can cut the DELRIN guide at any angle you prefer.
Edge angles are determined by what your using the tool for. Google proper edge angles and you'll find plenty of info.

For a good pocket sharpener, I recommend this one:

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

For a few more bucks and suitable for kitchen/field use, I like this one:

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

It will do a serviceable job on whatever knife you choose.
Again, light strokes are what you want.

MT -- I found this video on youtube regarding your knife sharpener. 

Impressive!

prouboy

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

Grizz

I hope I'm not coming across as critical over fine points......my mind can be a bit to analytical at times . "Bear" with me........(I know that was a terrible pun )

The accusharp and the smiths tool operate on essentially the same basic premise. What I like about the accusharp above the Smiths are these rather slim advantages IMO.
1. The Accusharp is a bit larger and you are able to gain a solid stable foundation with it while you are dragging the blade. Your entire hand grips it instead of thumb and forefinger. Less wobble = better results
2. I believe it is likely safer. With a better purchase (grip) and a handy dandy guard I have never cut myself using it in over 10 years of use.
3. You can take the accusharp apart and rotate the carbide cutting bits thus extending the life of the sharpener three fold. (they are triangular)

Your tool is likely lighter but believe me the accusharp is plenty light. Your tool certainly occupies less space. It is superior in that respect. Use the accusharp and you will not need any "fine" tuning. 3 strokes with the thing and you are ready to rock. It does take off some material however....you can see it literally curl a shaving off your blade (you should rinse your blade BTW after sharpening as to not end up ingesting the fragments).

If you are sharpener challenged I do suggest the accusharp. An excellent choice if you are dealing with less expensive blades.

Thanks Griz.  Yours is similar to the one I carry, but I like the coarse/fine stones on yours.  I'll get it.

I haven't seen a deer hanging from a BWCA/QP campsite yet, so I guess we're safe carrying this little gizmo.  When I'm home (butchering deer!)  I use the following 4-ceramic rod set up.  It's pretty foolproof, but too heavy for canoe camping.

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

prouboy