Smiths Consumer Products PP1 Pocket Knife Sharpener

Smiths Consumer Products PP1 PocketKnife Sharpener

This sharpener is a wonderful tool if used properly. There is superb feedback from the edge as you sharpen it. I avoid the carbide unless the edge is damaged and I can't get to my sharpening stones. The carbide blades are aggressive I really only use them with a light touch to remove a nick or burr if I did something stupid and damaged the edge. Remember, unless YOU make a mistake and damage the edge, you should never get a burr or nick in your blade. Still it's good to have the carbide if it's needed. The ceramic I use in the morning, before I use the knife, to touch up the edge. Several passes with a light touch is all that's needed. Occasionally I touch it up during the day if I feel the blade dragging a bit.

 
It is possible to damage a blade with this (or any other) sharpener. Operator error, not the tool, would be the issue there. Uneven pressure, too heavy a pressure or too much haste are the main culprits causing trouble. This is a lightweight, small tool, it is best used with finesse. it is far better suited to several light, controlled strokes rather than a heavy handed mauling of your edge.

Also note that the grind angle is fixed at a fairly shallow angle that is not the best for fine edges. This is a utility grind angle. An angle best suited to field knives, kitchen choppers and general kitchen utility blades. With gentle use the ceramic can be use on fine edges, but a steeper angled tool would do a better job. Still, I do use the ceramic sharpening notch to touch up my kitchen knives and it does a decent job. 

I've carried one of these ever since I first found them. I own several and have had a few "begged away" by friends. I've used it extensively. I've never damaged an edge or created a wavy, uneven edge. If you do manage that, you're not using the sharpener correctly. Light passes, even pressure and PAY ATTENTION. Avoid using the carbide unless you have a damaged or severely blunted/rounded edge. Even then, those problems are better fixed with a good quality stone. You can completely restore an edge with this tool, but it's takes more time and far more concentration that using a large stone.

This is a great sharpener it makes knives super sharp but not quite razor sharp it is much better than Smith's Abrasives 2 Step Knife Sharpener, that sharpener gets knives just as sharp as it has the same angles to the ceramic part of the sharpener; but that uses rods which get loose and end up rolling as you draw your knife through it and don't sharpen your knife. Also this is easier to get a blade into the ceramic sharpening part. This also includes a serrated knife sharpener, and this works well but i can't say much for it as it is the first serrated knife sharpener i have ever used.

I recommend pulling the blade through the carbide part 10 times using semi heavy to medium force, the using the ceramic part about 10 times using medium force then lighting up to about as light as you can get by the 10th stroke skip the carbide part if your knife is already adequately sharp, only use the carbide part if your knife i dull or damaged as it takes off a lot of steel.

Leatherman Wingman Multi Tool

Leatherman Wingman Multi Tool

 

The Wingman Multi Tool is is a mid sized, fully functional, affordable Leatherman tool tha'ts project ready whether it's used at the campsite, on the job or around the house. The Wingman features an outside-accessible, one-hand opening blade and newly-designed spring-action jaws. This lightweight, strong, stainless steel tool fits easily in your pocket so you won't want to be without it. 

There have been excellent reviews of both the Leatherman Wingman and Rebar, as well as all the others, but because there are so many models, it can be hard to choose which one to buy. I hope to help in the choice of economical "Full-size" multitools, as Leatherman calls a number of models.

The "full size" line of tools are all about 100mm long when folded, and include the Charge TTi, the New Wave, the Rebar, and the Wingman. The first two are much more expensive than the latter two, and I will only discuss the Rebar and Wingman.

Leatherman multitools can be further subdivided between blade-in and blade-out designs. In the former, you must open the tool to have access to the knife blade(s); in the latter they are available just as they would be in a pocket knife

The Rebar is a blade-in design; the Wingman is blade-out. If your most common use of the tool will be for cutting with the knife blade(s), then the Wingman would be more convenient.

The Rebar has a much superior shear-type wire-cutter with replaceable blades. The Wingman has a butt-type or pinch-type wire-cutter. Both work, but the Rebar works noticeably better, especially for hard wire.

The Rebar has two large blades, a plain blade and a serrated blade; the Wingman has only a single combination blade, but it is instantly available because of the blade-out design.

The Rebar has a full-size double-sided file with a serrated edge that can serve as a hack saw. Wingman has what can only be described as a toy, a single-sided, half length file. I could consider it worthless.

The Rebar has a full-size wood saw; the Wingman has none.

The Wingman, however, has an excellent scissor, the best of the whole line, while the Rebar has no scissor.

The Wingman's pliers are spring loaded; not so the Rebar.

All the blades, even the small screw-drivers, of the Rebar lock; only the knife and scissor of the Wingman lock. A negative, however, of the Rebar is that the lock-release levers protrude enough to catch if you carry it in your pocket.

The Rebar comes with a nylon sheath, while the Wingman has no sheath but does have a good retentive pocket clip. Also the Wingman has a somewhat more rounded shape at the end so it carries better than any of the other full-size multitools in the pocket.

Both Rebar and Wingman have a good Phillips screw driver, but the Rebar's is superior.

Unlike the Rebar, the Wingman has no awl.

At around 22 dollars the Wingman is the best value; the Rebar with sheath is around 37.

Which to buy? If you want a multitool small enough to carry in your pocket, one that you will keep in your desk or kitchen junk drawer, if you will mostly use the knife, and find a scissor handy, I'd recommend the Wingman.

If, however, you want a more fully competent multitool, that can compare well with the much more expensive Wave and Charge, a tool that includes excellent file, awl, and superior wire cutter, choose the Rebar.

Zero Tolerance ZT0301 Ranger Green Folder Knife with Speed Safe

Zero Tolerance ZT0301 Ranger Green Folder Knife with Speed Safe

This knife is an absolute tank. Over-engineered and over-built with the best materials. Pure quality. The handle ergonomics are great, and the jimping is perfect. The knife opens VERY quickly and with authority using the flipper. The blade locks up tight as a drum with an audible "thwack". I'm a big fan of the S30V steel, and this blade is no exception. It was literally shaving sharp out of the box. The blade is thick, heavy, and, with the deep belly, has tremendous cutting power. The point is stronger than I expected, penetration won't be a problem at all. I'm confident this knife will outperform most fixed blades of similar size.

This is the perfect folder for hunting, camping, military or law enforcement applications. A "Gentleman's Folder" its not; it's a big knife meant to work hard. Oh, by the way, the tigerstripe blade looks cool as can be. 

The titanium frame lock is stout enough to withstand extreme abuse, and the S30V blade came hair popping sharp out of the box. Many people who I've showed this to instantly think it's a Strider, and I'm happy to say that it's built as tough as a true Strider. This design was a collaboration between Ken Onion, Strider and the ZT team at Kershaw and the quality shows. I highly recommend this fine knife for heavy use or as a great tactical blade for any knife enthusiasts collection. Lastly I feel the ZT0301 so far is the best of the ZT lineup.

 

To start off with, the ergonomics are excellent. The 3d machined G10 scales are contoured and textured to provide a firm grip. With or without gloves (I use the Mechanix brand), I can transition from a forward to reverse (edge in or edge out) grip repeatedly and quickly. There is an adequately jimped thumb ramp and a thumb groove along the spine.

 

However, there is a drawback to the aggressive texturing on the scales. It will wear out the edges of pockets if the knife is carried with the clip. 

The flipper is easy to access and reliable in deployment. However, compared to other assisted knives, the opening is not as quick, given the extra inertia from the ZT0301's substantial blade mass. Having been a manual opening user for a long time, I found the resistance (from the torsion bar) a surprise as I closed the knife. It is still possible to close using only one had, but do be careful - if you slip, the blade can spring back into the open position. 

The thumbstuds double as blade stops, providing an extra measure of blade stability. However, since they're placed very close to the scales, it takes a bit of practice learning how to use them to deploy the blade. They are not unusable, but compared to the flipper, they are less convenient.   

Given the blade's mass, it is also possible to wrist flick the knife open in the forward and reverse positions.

The knife initially arrived configured for tip down carry. The parts of the handle above the pivot have sharp points - when reaching into my pocket to retrieve something else, I found these points scratching my hand. I thus found myself changing to tip up to avoid those instances.

The knife is as heavy as my fullsize Benchmade Rukus (610) despite being almost 2" shorter (overall length) and having a titanium frame. It may be uncomfortable to carry if you're not wearing jeans or work pants. However, the pocketclip does provide strong retention, though the handle does not conceal well - almost 1" of handle will be above the edge of your pocket (do take this into consideration if you are carrying in an area where such knives are discouraged). 

The blade is wide recurved S30V steel and the 0301 and 0302 come with a tiger striped finish. The edge retention is great and the extra belly from the recurve increases the cutting edge. However, a recurve cannot be completely sharpened on flat stones - you will need round or triangular rods.

The pivot must be adjusted by a hex socket wrench (the knife was designed for military use and a hex tool would most likely be conveniently available). I personally don't find this useful, as I am used to using keychain torx bits to adjust all my other knives. 

Without a doubt, the knife is well (heavily) built and a durable design. However, it may be overkill, depending on how you use it. But if you don't mind the weight, it'll make a great addition into your carry rotation.