How to Sharpen a Knife With a Stone?

The sharpening of your knives is essential to their performance and security. A fine sharp knife can cut things easily and thereby save you from accidents. Whichever knife you may possess - Pocket Folding Knife, Skinner Knife, Damascus Kukri Knife, or a Bone Handle Knife - however using a stone somehow is among the best ways with which you can keep them sharp. Here's an extremely simple guide on How to sharpen a knife with a stone​!

Why use a Stone for a Knife Sharpener?

A stone provides better control, accuracy, and versatility than electric sharpeners. You can use it to sharpen almost any blade from kitchen knives to outdoor tools such as the Damascus Kukri Knife.

Another reason why the use of stones extends blade lifespan is that they do not grind away much material like electric sharpeners.

What You'll Need Before You Begin

• Sharpening stone (whetstone)
• Water or honing oil-soaked onto the stone, depending on the type of stone
• A towel or non-slip mat to hold the stone in place

You might also want to first practice by sharpening an old knife. Do not sharpen your Pocket Folding Knife or other favorite knives before practicing.

How to Sharpen a Knife Step by Step

1. Soak or Oil the Stone

If your sharpening stone requires it to be wet, soak it for 5–10 minutes. If using oil, apply a few drops. This is the lubrication that prevents friction from happening and keeps the sharpening process smooth.

2. Lock Down the Stone

Place the stone on a stable surface like your countertop and use a towel or mat to hold it in place so it does not slide. Stability always means safety when working with large knives such as a Skinner Knife.

3. Knife Angle to the Stone

Set your knife at an angle of 15-20 degrees to the sharpening stone. For most knives, this angle is fine-including the Bone Handle Knife. For you to achieve a uniform sharpening, you'll be holding that angle perfectly.

4. Sharpening

• Draw your blade along the stone, making a sweeping motion.
• You want to apply light pressure but don't forget it needs to be firm.
• Sharpen one side of the blade and flip it around so that you sharpen the other side.

5. Coarse to Fine Grit

In the event that your stone has two sides, sharpen on the coarse grit side and finish on the fine grit for polishing. This is where you hone in on the level of edge sharpness and smoothness of the blade.

6. Edge Test

After sharpening the knife, test if it is sharp. Tear paper or slice a soft fruit to check if it cuts easily. If that is possible, then you may proceed. If not, repeat the process.

Sharpening Different Types of Knives

• Small tools like the Pocket Folding Knife employ mini stones in sharpening as small knives are unstable.
• The Damascus Kukri Knife is curved; it uses steady hands to trace the curve of the blade.
• Heavy-duty blades, for example, your Skinner Knife may require more strokes on the whetstone.

Care for Your Sharpening Stone

You shall clean your whetstone after sharpening it with water or using a soft brush to remove debris. Store it in a dry place so you will not damage the stone. A well-taken care of whetstone can last as long as your Knives Hives collection can.

The Bottom Line

Learning how to sharpen a knife with a stone is a skill worth learning. It's easy, effective, and applicable for all sorts of knives. Keeping knives in good shape ensures they're at their best, making cutting tasks easy. For more tips on how to keep your Knives Hives collection performing well, read here!