Based in Conway, Wales, Blade Tech have been producing sharpening tools for a number of years now. Planet Sea Fishing takes a look at the latest additions to their range the Blade Tech G2 and the Diamond Taper Steel.
When I reviewed the original Blade Tech sharpener back in 2013 my only criticism was that its size made it difficult to use at sea. The new Blade Tech G2 Sharpener corrects this by increasing the size of the device to 100mm in length and 36mm in width. This easily allows appropriate downward pressure on the G2 when in use.
The packaged Blade Tech G2 sharpener
Two Colours of Blade Tech G2 Sharpener
The body and rivets of the G2 are manufactured from aircraft grade aluminium and is available in black, or my choice of blaze orange with a Realtree pattern. The bold colour makes it easy to spot when left lying around and not attached to the supplied lanyard.
Blade Tech G2 sharpener
The Blade Tech sharpener blades are formed from polished tungsten carbide. Being two times stiffer than steel and twice as dense this material is long lasting and resistant to sharpening wear.
The Blade Tech G2 sharpener comes with lanyard
Tungsten carbide blades
The G2 will sharpen almost any straight edged knife as well as putting an edge on scissors, secateurs, axes and even lawn mower blades.
Sharpening Technique
Most knives used by anglers have a bevel on both sides of the blade, a double bevel. To sharpen these in the G2 place the sharpener on a flat surface with the carbide blades overhanging the edge.
Tungsten carbide blades
Place the knife blade in the v-shaped centre of the wedge and draw the knife downwards with light pressure. To reshape a blunt knife, hold the base of the knife blade at an angle of 45o to the G2 and draw downwards following the curve of the knife. To simply hone the blade, hold the knife at 90o, perpendicular, to the G2 before drawing down, in both cases with light pressure only. Repeat the down strokes until the required sharpness is achieved checking regularly.
To sharpen a single edged tool, such as bait scissors the inside edge should be placed against the shoulder of the sharpener not in the V. The blade is then drawn down against the edge of the carbide. See the video below for full details of this procedure and for other household and garden tools.
Blade Tech G2 sharpener in use
My Blade Tech original still works fine and produces a great edge even after four year of regular use while fishing and at home. However, the increased size of the G2 means that is has taken over top spot as my go to knife and tool sharpening device. It is small enough to take up little or no space in a tackle or bait box while providing one of the best edges I have seen on a knife with minimum effort.
The Blade Tech G2 sharpener comes with a lifetime warranty against defective workmanship or materials. It is available postage free direct from Blade Tech for £14.95 including VAT.
Diamond Steel Taper
Blade Tech also sell a diamond steel taper to use for sharpening knives or other blades with a serrated edge. Probably of more interest to anglers in general is the fact that the steel incorporates a hook sharpening groove. A few strokes along the groove will help bring even the bluntest hook back to effective life.
Blade Tech diamond taper steel in packaging
The steel is again available direct from Blade Tech with the warranty and retails at £12.95.
Blade Tech diamond taper steel hook groove
