I'm not yet a client of TBS, but as far as I see the guys seem to be pretty intelligent and on top of it experienced bushcrafters.
As I see, they offer this knife with that sharpening tool.
TBS Boar Bushcraft Knife - Mk II The TBS Boar Bushcraft Knife has been our best selling model for years now and it has gone through a few changes
www.thebushcraftstore.co.uk
I guess that they think about what they are doing. And I guess, that this here offered set comes ready to use.
I recommend to ask the question to them and I really would like to read here the answer, so it would perhaps be a good idea to inform them with your question about that you will copy the answer to post it here.
In a similar case I informed another maker I personally know that his product was discussed in this forum and he joined here and answered directly in the thread of this forum.
I don't expect every Chinese metal cup maker to do it like that, but if the maker or seller is a real old woodsman himself, like I expect it from the guys who run TBS, in my opinion it's no fault to ask them to join and answer here directly themselves.
That surely would have a good influence to the professional level of this forum.
And especially in this case it would be fair if not necessary to invite them, because it exists a pretty unpleasant video about the first version of this knife in the internet made by two Dutch guys who informed clients about hundreds of outdoor knifes, why this case seems to me to be pretty relevant.
If I look at the TBS homepage I get the impression that the guys are like the pioneers of the modern outdoor equipment makers people who make and sell stuff because they mainly wanted to use it themselves and thought that it would be a good idea to offer it to others as well, different to a lot of brands nowadays which sell stuff to beginners which no experienced bushcrafter or hiker would buy.
www.emisupply.com
. Most particularly when I read stuff on forums that I have some experience with professionally. I would say it comes from writing and presenting so many dozen design documents where any over generalisation, language open to multiple interpretations or unqualified statement could see me put on the spot and grilled with an audience. Later it was sometimes my job to be the reviewer and to do the grilling, failure to grill thoroughly could have very expensive consequences. Possible not the best training for conversing on internet forums!!
The ceramic side is quite abrasive but wears smoother with use so maybe that's what the supplier meant by not using water? Im not sure...But we seem to have gone off on a bit of a tangent, not that this isn't useful information, but I'm looking for a way to remove the laquer without abrasives if possible. I like to keep my kit in as good a contition as possible and maybe should see a professional about my level of possible OCD.
