Fella's;

There are several diamond type sharpeners on the market.  I've had a DMT medium for years.  Originally I got it to keep the edges sharp on my skis when traveling.  Found that it also works well on knives.  The thing about DMT is that you can get them in several different grits, although I suppose that isn't the absolutely correct term.  You used to see them in the Smokey Mountain Knife Works catalogue.  But I haven't gotten the catalogue for a while, didn't order enough often enough I guess.  If they are still around, check them out, everything for the knife guy.  Lotta cheap junk, but the good stuff too.  Let me know please if they are still doing business.

Another decent catalogue is A. G. Russell at:  http://www.agrussell.com - www.agrussell.com

I have seen the really coarse diamond rods.  Not what I want to use.

CB,

About 25 years ago I got a Diamond EZ-Lap as a gift for doing a guy a favor.  It is a small steel rod coated with a diamon compound.  It works great and comes in a brass rod carrying case (pock/pack size).  It really brings back a knife edge fast.  It works on my Puma knife which is the hardest steel I know, nothing else can get a good edge on that knife except the EZ-Lap.

a friend of mine is a maintence man at a local public grade school.  He ordered a commerical grade "brick" sized sharpening stome impregnated with diamond dust.  It is super, cost a fortune (my tax dollars at work).  He really got it to sharpen his hunting knifes and mine.  It is great, unfortunately he doesn't know the mfg?????? 

Smokey Mountain Knife Works sent me a catalog about 4 months ago.  I've never ordered anything from them and don't know how I got on their mailing list.

You are right, once you are hooked on a good sharpner, it is tough to use anything else.

BEAR