OK, on top is the new Spyderco Doublestuff 2, angled edges, groove, compact size and seemingly fastened together better as well, neat in appearance and use.
Below that is the original Spyderco Doublestuff, I've had for a long time, well, long enough for me to get the initial glue to break free and so I used some Gorilla glue to get them back together, boy that stuff is strong! So you will see some not so neat edges at the glue connection and that's my doing, not Spyderco.
Below that is a Fallkniven
DC4 Diamond Ceramic, with the diamond side being pretty worn and tired at this point.
The new SD2 is about everything I'd ask for in a compact carry sharpener, measuring the same length as the original SD at 5" long but wider at 1 1/4" wide where the original comes in at 1" wide. The difference is the added beveled edges which are at 45 degrees, these will help in sharpening serrated blades as well as giving a more aggressive point of contact if you need to abrade more steel to get to the apex of your edge faster/easier. The groove on the ceramic side is said to be for things like fish hooks, but I also use it for any pointed objects like an awl or in my leather work I use a ground down screwdriver to hammer through thicker leather and using that groove helps to clean up the point easier, haven't done it with this but the usual triangle sharpeners from Spyderco also have a similar groove in their tri-stones. The metal side, like most guys, I don't read well when handed instructions, even short...to the point ones on the outside of the packaging, and to my eyes and feel when sharpening, it looks and felt like diamond, but I was rightly corrected by 'br4dz that it really is cubic boron nitride and works well.
Compared to the original, this one is quite a bit heavier, due to the wider material and the metal portion, but nothing you'd not want to leave at home for being too heavy, at least in my mind, it's a very good sharpening stone. As with the older one, I use the leather slip sheath for a strop, rubbing some compound in on the back side, don't need a lot.
The original, I've used it a lot, mainly as you'd guess as a touch up tool in my 'man-purse' at work, which is chocked full of fun things to use, not quite a bug-out-bag but close. I use Bar Keepers Friend cleanser to clean up the ceramics and that does an admiral job. I doubt that I'll ever wear this original Doublestuff to the point it no longer sharpens, so it also will travel with me, in my glove box of the car as a backup.
The Fallkniven, shorter at, you guessed it, 4", hence the name of DC4 Diamond...Ceramic...4" long and about as thick as the new SD2 at 1/4".
I've had this one a while also, using the diamond side but the ceramic side has ripples, I guess for a more aggressive cutting action? but always thought that was strange. The diamonds are worn pretty much out, so you can see more bare metal in the center than the outer edges. It does a pretty good job, but I think the 1" more on the SD2 will prove to be a handier size in use.
Here are some shots taken tonight;
and remember the gunk holding the one in the middle together was done by me...not Spyderco...
Untitled by
GaryWGraley, on Flickr
a shot with a nice folder from down under, thanks again Ken
she be SHArP ! Spyderco Urban in K390
Untitled by
GaryWGraley, on Flickr
a look at the metal coating;
Untitled by
GaryWGraley, on Flickr
Original Doublestuff...pardon the Gorilla glue
Untitled by
GaryWGraley, on Flickr
DC4 ripples in ceramic
Untitled by
GaryWGraley, on Flickr
angled edges and showing the one groove in the ceramic stone
Untitled by
GaryWGraley, on Flickr
I'd recommend this without hesitation for anyone that needs a small sharpener to easily carry with them.
Thanks Spyderco and also thanks to
chapmanpreferred in pointing this sharpener out to me while I was at the Lewisburg PA knife show on Saturday!
G2
and a ceramic side, very well mated together with exceptional fit and finish, as well as the nice leather slip sheath to carry it in.
Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr
