How do you Sharpen a Knife

**Morgan101** · 06-13-2012, 08:20 AM

We are all talking about learning new skills, and bringing back and re-learning the old skills. This is one I have always wanted to know, and learn. How do you sharpen a knife properly?

I am not talking about the Lanskey sharpeners or the ceramic stones and gadgets. How do you put a razor sharp edge on a blade with a stone, and keep it there?

I would love to hear from some of you experienced woodsman.

**Bue** · 06-13-2012, 10:13 PM

I could show you but darn if I know how to tell you. It's about sound and feel for me. Start on a Ark soft stone and finish on a Ark hard stone

**myakka** · 06-13-2012, 10:36 PM

I use an EZE LAP diamond stone.
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It stays in my carry around bag. Have SOMEONE show you the right angle to work from. If you don't get the angle right then you can get a sharp edge that last until the first time you use it. If you just can't find anyone, then you can either get one of the diamond rod sets that hold the angle for you, and try to learn from it, or go to bass pro, or some sporting shop. Surely someone there will help.

I keep my knives razor sharp. You are in more danger of hurting yourself with a dull knife. Because you have to struggle to cut with it.
I also like a harder steel knife than a lot of folks. Yes it takes a bit more to get that initial edge on it, but it holds an edge longer, and you can resharpen with a couple strokes now and then to maintain it.

**nakadnu** · 06-13-2012, 10:58 PM

Just like Bue said I am not sure how to tell you how. Visit some good knife manufacturer sites such as Buck. If they don't have instructions on their site they will probably send you something. Buck is very customer friendly.

**mtnlioness** · 11-16-2012, 03:47 PM

One other thought is to find, maybe at shooting range, an older hunter. Many of my dad's friends sharpened their knives with a simple wet stone and it seemed to work really well. Can do it myself but have no idea how to teach you without physically showing you.

**RICHFL** · 11-16-2012, 05:57 PM

If you are going to sharpen a knife, sword, axe, hatchet, or machete please do not use a grinder. All you will do is remove metal and any temper left will be gone. Why - - the amount of heat that a grinder produces removes all temper you have on the edge.

For an axe, hatchet or machete use a vise and a fine metal file to shape the blades edge. with these edges you do not want to cut paper. Once you start to get an edge then use a soft soap stone to get the correct angle 30 degrees. Finish up with a hard soap stone to touch up the edge as necessary.

To do a knife 2 ways I know it is like ying/yang moving the stone in a circle motion but opposite on the other side. This will get you a sharp edge fast. Use a wet stone (With oil) angles are 30 degrees and 45 just at the edge.

Other way is to use a wet (Oil) stone (light to medium) on a flat surface and run the blade across the top of the stone keeping the same angle (30 degrees) alone the leading edges. Do the opposite on the other side of the knife. This works best for knifes over 6 inches in length.

If you ever get a chance look at the edge under a microscope. You will see that when you sharpen 1 side of a knife it fold's the top edge over the other side. You can take that folded edge just by touching up the edge it don't take much. After using a knife for a project take another look and see all the nicks in the leading edge!

**Chefsimms** · 11-16-2012, 06:16 PM

Like RICHFL said Use a wet stone start at 30-33 degrees, then finish at 45 degree angle. Try to use equal number of stokes on each side of the knife (2 on this side 2on the other side etc…) Then you will need to use your steal to get all the burs off the edge...This is also the way we sharpen our kitchen knives. It is much harder to explain that it is to show someone. LOLCHEF1.gif

**Morgan101** · 11-19-2012, 12:50 PM

First let me thank everyone for all of their input. Some of these things I know and do, and I really appreciate all of the advice. It made me think of a second question. How long should a good blade hold an edge? I know that will partly be dependent on how much the knife is used, and what it is used for, but typically, with your EDC knife, how often do you sharpen it?

For me I would say every week or two. Hunting knives I only sharpen before I am going hunting, or when I am going to use them.

**myakka** · 11-19-2012, 04:31 PM

I personally sharpen my daily use knife a little every couple days. It is almost theraputic. I sit back pull out my little stone and take a couple licks on it. If I am at work, then this seems to draw in the guys, one at least will just hand me his knife and I will work it over too.

I think it is better to constantly touch up a blade than to let it go way dull and then have to bring it way back. Plus, this way my knife is always very sharp. So my sharpening philosiphy leads me to sharpen often more than the knife dulling quickly.

By the way, are you maybe coming to the camping trip? You asked about sharpening and several have said how hard it is to describe, but if you come down then I will show you what I know, (not claiming expertise, but I do love my knife sharp sharp.)

**Chefsimms** · 11-19-2012, 07:49 PM

I don`t sharpen my knife often, only when it is needed…but I do debar them on a diamond steel often.
I am also very careful as to what I cut with my knives, if it’s a kitchen knife; I always use a cutting board. I don`t use a knife for striping wire or anything like that. I pretty much just use them for cutting.