Few things are as important as having a good, sharp knife on hand during a survival situation. However, it doesn’t take long for even the best blades to go start going dull, particularly if they are being put to the test in less-than-ideal conditions. Let’s take a look at a few unconventional ways to sharpen blades in the field so that you can take advantage of them when more traditional options may not be available.
Car Window
Roll the window about halfway down and start gently swiping the blade along the edge of the glass at about a 30 degree angle. Run it around the bend, flip the knife over, and swipe the other side of the blade in the opposite direction. Repeat this about a dozen times or so, and you’ll be amazed at how sharp your blade can become. Best of all, this technique won’t damage the glass, or the blade, and you can repeat as often as necessary.
Dishes
Take any ceramic plate, saucer or bowl, turn it upside down, and chances are that there will be a rim around the bottom. Place the blade at about a 20-30 degree angle to the rim and start gently swiping it against the material. Always swipe the length of the blade in a downward motion before lifting, turning over and repeating for the other side. Give it about 10 swipes before wiping the blade and testing its level of sharpness. It may take a few tries to get a feel for this technique, but it’s surprisingly-effective, and it won’t damage your dishes.
Rocks
Using a rock is ideal for sharpening large knives, machetes, axes, hatchets or tomahawks. All you need to do is place the blade on its side, take a rock that fits into the palm of your hand, and start rubbing it against the blade as you would with a file. The idea is to condition the sides and edge of the blade before pushing the rock in straight strokes along its length to finish it off. Wipe down the blade, test its sharpness, and repeat as necessary until you’ve reached the desired level of sharpness.
Leather Belt
You can accomplish the same results with a leather belt as you get from a strop, and this is just one more reason to pack a belt in your bug out bag or survival kit. Flip the belt over so the soft side is facing up, and place the blade against the material. Pull the knife down and away from the belt in even, smooth strokes. Repeat about 15 times before flipping the blade over and working the other side. Keep in mind that belts don’t technically sharpen blades, rather they polish edges to a fine finish. Consequently, blades that are nicked or extremely-dull may need to be sharpened using a different method before finishing it off with a belt.
These are just a few examples of dozens of ways that you can sharpen knives, and chances are that it will be easy to come across these items in a survival situation. With a little bit of ingenuity, practice and developing the right technique, you’ll never have to worry about working with a dull blade in the field.
