Review: EDC

 

 So, this is what lives in my Crumpler messenger bag, which I carry with me everywhere I go. I've had some discussion with my partner Omega, that perhaps I carry either too much stuff, duplicates, or items that could be replaced with lighter kit. I really value both her support and helpful opinions. She was dead on, my bag is weighty. 

So, here is a recap of what I carry;

Crumpler Thirsty Al pouch  filled with paracord, on the outside strap.

Platatac FUP pouch carrying my 1L SIGG bottle

inside the bag I carry:

Wire saw 

Gerber bear Grylls "Basic" Survival kit 

First-Aid kit 

Sea-to-Summit Alpha cutlery set 

Lazerbrite in red and white 

DMT sharpening-stones 

credit-card tool 

Platatac CSI-folder 

Electrical tape

Toothbrush and Toothpaste

Sewing kit

Razor 

Cord

Cable Ties

Pad (great for injuries)

Spare glasses in case with HDD magnet

Waterproof pouch with q-tips

microfiber towel

specimen jar with hand-wash

collapsible cup

Compass

Swedish FireSteel

Poncho

Set of Allan keys

Tape measure

my lunch and an apple.

On top of that, I also pack my kendo gear, and a variety of other things, depending on the day, but this is my EDC.

Review: DMT Sharpening Stones

I've always been fond of sharpening things. For as long as I can remember I have used steels, stones, files and on occasion strops to sharpen and hone kitchen knives, swords, axes, saws. Anything with a blade, really. And some things without, like hard-drive platters (which don't hold a good edge, btw ). Some 15 years ago, a friend of mine at the time introduced me to the DMT range of stones and I have never looked back.  What makes these special is that they feature a metal based, precision made flat surface which is embedded with a continuous layer of micronized monocrystalline diamonds bonded to the sharpening face, in what they call a "polka-dot" pattern. The polka-dots give the ground off metal somewhere to go, so it doesn't build up and change the height of the grinding surface.

 The sharpeners come in a variety of grits, for different levels of use, which are colour-coded for easy identification. The ones I have are BLUE (Coarse to quickly sharpen a neglected edge: 325 mesh, 45 micron) and a combination dual-sided one which is RED/GREEN Fine (to put a keen edge on a maintained tool: 600 mesh, 25 micron) on one side and Extra fine (to sharpen to a razor edge:1200 mesh, 9 micron.) Each different grade thus has its own use and can be used in order, to either restore a dulled and dinged blade, all the way up to sushi sharp slicing either dry, or with water. No oil needed.

They even make a tapered tool for sharpening serrated blades, which I've also used to work chipped glass down to a safe rounded edge.  Cleaning is just a matter of washing under water, I use some dishwashing detergent from time to time to clear the filings from the surface. I've never found any dishing, and the performance has never diminished in my opinion.

All three of these tools have proven their use to me (and a number of friends household blades when I have visited and been "that awkward guy in the kitchen at parties"). These sharpeners live in my messenger bag and are always hungry for dull blades!

A sharp knife is a safe knife, I've always been told, and with these guys, I can share the love.