This will go on “Made in America” as soon as it can
but let me please give my very highest recommendation to the Buck Pocket Stone Diamond Sharpener.
I have carried a pocket stone for about ever, and I have the ruined pockets to show for it. My hunting companion and if necessary bail bondsman Werner tipped me off to this product, a business-card thin piece of steel with diamond embedded on both sides, coarse and medium.
At $9, this is a stocking stuffer to contend with, and I have used it for everything from filing my nails to putting a quick edge on my bowsaw teeth. A corner of it will cut glass like a pro. it will also deburr the edge of a piece of glass with ease.
When I carried a stone, I used to hold it just under the edge to protect the tips of my fingers from an accidental slicing off; that’s harder on this because it is thin. You can just lay it in your hand, but I have taken to carrying a little magnet with me that I put on the back, and I hold it by that. This keeps my fingers clear of the blade as I sharpen, and makes it much easier to control. I use the little plastic sleeve that comes with it to protect the stone and the magnet, and make the magnet easier to pull off when I am done. The magnet I use is a little samarium cobalt shielded thing I bought from Grainger for about four bucks, it’s a half inch diameter by a half inch long and has a 10-24 thread in the back. Know someone who has/likes knives? Get this for them. They will carry it every day of their life and think of you always.
Personally I like the DMT Folding Sharpener, which is more expensive than the Buck but gives you a handle to grasp when you are using it. DMT also makes a rat-tailed version of the folding sharpener that is great for cutting serrations into a blade.
Bought one of those america stones. Best edge I can get on the quick.
I’ve had three of the DMT’s. I like them but the hinge breaks.
I have an E-Z Lap that is similar looking to a short ball point pen complete with pocket clip. It has a flat, a groove for sharpening fishooks and two round surfaces. Cheap, effective and I have no idea where it’s made. Sold out of Virginia City, NV though.