What grit should I get for a Serrated Knife Sharpener?

[Anwynd]

I know that a coarser grit will make the edge more jagged, meaning better tearing(sawing) power. I'm just trying to cover all my bases and make sure which grit I should get for sharpening serrations, which are meant primarily for sawing. This is what I was looking at, seeing as I have two of the Diafolds in the extra coarse, coarse, fine, and extra fine. The coarse is 325 mesh, fine is 600 mesh, and extra fine is 1200 mesh. Thanks guys.

I'm thinking of buying a Boker Applegate-Fairbairn Combat Folder to replace my Gerber Fastdraw but I don't really like the serrations and if it was my choice Id have the false edge on top go back further. I plan on sharpening the false edge anyway.

[AlbinoGerbil]

If you have the coarse and fine grits you will be fine.
Just maintain the edge and you shouldn't ever need anything else. It does help to have a flat stone to lightly run over the non sharpened side to help straighten/remove the burr.

[hunter1492]

I have a Montec G5 sharpener and use it on all knives and broadheads.

http://www.keystonecountrystore.com/...NT2201204.html

[Anwynd]

Have you guys ever used Norton Waterstones for your plain edges? The best Diafold I can find only goes to 1200 mesh while these waterstones can have 4000/8000 on either side.

[AlbinoGerbil]

Have you guys ever used Norton Waterstones for your plain edges? The best Diafold I can find only goes to 1200 mesh while these waterstones can have 4000/8000 on either side.

I've used the water stones and like them very much but you need to have a dedicated place for those(at least the one's I've used). I like the portability of the Spyderco Tri-angle Sharpmaker and the Diafolds.
The higher grits are great if you're looking to get a nice polished razor edge on your blades for better push cutting. That being said most working blades don't need anything more than the 1200 and often times not even that high. I usually keep a rough working edge on my field knifes with the blue/red diafold and save the polished edges for things like my whittling blades and my straight razor.

[Anwynd]

What grit would be best used for a knife used in self defense? Stabbing is the primary tactic so I'd guess it doesn't really matter.

[AlbinoGerbil]

What grit would be best used for a knife used in self defense? Stabbing is the primary tactic so I'd guess it doesn't really matter.

If stabbing is your primary concern than it shouldn't matter too much. Then a double edged dagger is probably the best option.
Below is an example of a very inexpensive dagger....

[sword_]

Aren't most daggers illegal to carry?

[AlbinoGerbil]

Aren't most daggers illegal to carry?

Yep, but then so is stabbing people.

I carried one of these while deployed but would never carry one now that I am out. You could always pick up a folder with a spear point and use that but these deploy much quicker.

[Anwynd]

Yep, but then so is stabbing people.

I carried one of these while deployed but would never carry one now that I am out. You could always pick up a folder with a spear point and use that but these deploy much quicker.

I was planning on carrying a Gerber LMF II on my kit, on my left upper chest, and keep a Combat Folder somewhere. Do these boot knives work well? Do they chafe your ankle?

[AlbinoGerbil]

I was planning on carrying a Gerber LMF II on my kit, on my left upper chest, and keep a Combat Folder somewhere. Do these boot knives work well? Do they chafe your ankle?

I never wore it in my boot. I either had it on my LBV or slung around the steering wheel of my HMWV within reach at all times any time I was driving downrange.
I also had a good folder(actually 2) and a 5.5 inch field knife strapped to my belt along with my M16. My 9mm was set up for an easy cross draw when on the road and slung low on my hip if hoofing it.

[Anwynd]

I never wore it in my boot. I either had it on my LBV or slung around the steering wheel of my HMWV within reach at all times any time I was driving downrange.
I also had a good folder(actually 2) and a 5.5 inch field knife strapped to my belt along with my M16. My 9mm was set up for an easy cross draw when on the road and slung low on my hip if hoofing it.

I was planning on having my pistol set up on my chest, basically right over the sternum. Makes it easier to grab when your leg is next to something or you're prone, some advice I recieved from a former Ranger at MEPS. Where'd you carry your folders at?

[AlbinoGerbil]

I was planning on having my pistol set up on my chest, basically right over the sternum. Makes it easier to grab when your leg is next to something or you're prone, some advice I recieved from a former Ranger at MEPS. Where'd you carry your folders at?

Folders were in my pockets as I had two fixed blades to choose from is in a position where the folders were inaccessible. Chest draw seems a bit awkward to me, esp if you are prone(i.e. on your stomach). The chances of a hip draw being compromised in the prone are less than the chest draw(common sense). Not only that but the mechanics of the draw require you to reach up and across to access it whereas a cross draw/hip draw are significantly easier, esp under duress. The best thing to do is get your gear and practice drawing the weapon under different scenarios with different setups until you find the one(s) that work best for you. Then I recommend practicing until it becomes instinctual. Same goes for the M16. My experience.

[Anwynd]

Folders were in my pockets as I had two fixed blades to choose from is in a position where the folders were inaccessible. Chest draw seems a bit awkward to me, esp if you are prone(i.e. on your stomach). The chances of a hip draw being compromised in the prone are less than the chest draw(common sense). Not only that but the mechanics of the draw require you to reach up and across to access it whereas a cross draw/hip draw are significantly easier, esp under duress. The best thing to do is get your gear and practice drawing the weapon under different scenarios with different setups until you find the one(s) that work best for you. Then I recommend practicing until it becomes instinctual. Same goes for the M16. My experience.

If you don't mind me asking, what fixed blades did you carry? One is most likely the M9 Bayonet, but what about the other one? And where did you carry them?

[Anwynd]

How well does the Triangle work? What's the maximum grit?

[AlbinoGerbil]

If you don't mind me asking, what fixed blades did you carry? One is most likely the M9 Bayonet, but what about the other one? And where did you carry them?

I carried a Chris Reeve Shadow IV on my belt (right hip) and a Fehrman Peace Maker either in my left cargo pocket or attached to my LBV set up for a right hand cross draw.

How well does the Triangle work? What's the maximum grit?

The Triangle is an awesome system and very user friendly.
Off the top of my head I can't remember the grit of the stones and Spyderco's website doesn't say. I'll see if I can find it and get back to you later.

[TheLBM]

If stabbing is your primary concern than it shouldn't matter too much. Then a double edged dagger is probably the best option.
Below is an example of a very inexpensive dagger....

I have that exact knife in my tool box right now.
And i like the GATCO sharpening system. I has multiple grit stones in the kit.

[Anwynd]

I have that exact knife in my tool box right now.
And i like the GATCO sharpening system. I has multiple grit stones in the kit.

The Spyderco sharpener looks good, Ive been looking for something to use on serrations too.

[Anwynd]

I never wore it in my boot. I either had it on my LBV or slung around the steering wheel of my HMWV within reach at all times any time I was driving downrange.
I also had a good folder(actually 2) and a 5.5 inch field knife strapped to my belt along with my M16. My 9mm was set up for an easy cross draw when on the road and slung low on my hip if hoofing it.

Cross draw as in on your hip or in a holster under your shoulder?

[AlbinoGerbil]

Cross draw as in on your hip or in a holster under your shoulder?

I had a custom 9mm holster so was able to adjust wear as needed. The straps were removable and I had a form of Tech-lock to allow me to strap it pretty much anywhere I needed it. In this particular instance I had it straped to my LBV in a semi shoulder carry but it rode low on my stomach and the butt was within a few inches of my navel to facilitate an easy cross draw. In a pinch I could have fired it from this postion as long as I kept the ejection port clear.

[Anwynd]

I had a custom 9mm holster so was able to adjust wear as needed. The straps were removable and I had a form of Tech-lock to allow me to strap it pretty much anywhere I needed it. In this particular instance I had it straped to my LBV in a semi shoulder carry but it rode low on my stomach and the butt was within a few inches of my navel to facilitate an easy cross draw. In a pinch I could have fired it from this postion as long as I kept the ejection port clear.

Nice. I'm very impatiently waiting to get my braces off so I can join. Looks like it'll be October though =[

[Anwynd]

Nice. I'm very impatiently waiting to get my braces off so I can join. Looks like it'll be October though =[

How sharp does the finest part of the Triangle Sharpmaker make a knife? Shapr enough to shave hair? Well past that?

[AlbinoGerbil]

How sharp does the finest part of the Triangle Sharpmaker make a knife? Shapr enough to shave hair? Well past that?

I've achieved the shaving sharp edge with it on my smaller/thinner blades. Most of my knives have more of a working edge though.

[Anwynd]

I've achieved the shaving sharp edge with it on my smaller/thinner blades. Most of my knives have more of a working edge though.

Wish Spyderco had a grit rating on their site. I can't find anything on google about it.

[AlbinoGerbil]

Wish Spyderco had a grit rating on their site. I can't find anything on google about it.

Best thing to do would be to call them. They also offer diamond coated sleeves for their sharpeners if you're looking to reprofile your edge.