DIY: Knife Sharpener Guide
- 1). Purchase a sharpening stone or a whetstone from your local hardware or craft store, Stones come with varying grades of grit, from rough to fine. If you are new to knife-sharpening, choose a stone that has medium grit, but ensure that it has a fine side and a rough side. You can test which side is which by scraping your thumbnail across the stone. You will be able to feel the roughness through this technique. It is also advisable to use some lubricant when sharpening your knife. A popular option is to use mineral oil, but water will have the same effect. The lubricant will reduce the heat that is produced from the friction of the sharpening action, thus reducing the risk of warping. It will also help to clear the metal shavings, which will make it easier to see what you are doing.
- 2). Pour your lubricant onto the surface of the stone, being fairly generous. Place the blade of the knife flat against the rough surface of the stone and, keeping the blade in contact with the stone, raise the knife to an angle of about 20 degrees. For a very sharp blade, use a smaller angle, but be aware that a sharper blade will not last as long before needing to be sharpened again.
- 3). Draw the knife toward you, from hilt to tip, as if carving a thin slice of meat. Make sure that the blade remains in contact with the stone and that you keep the angle of the blade constant. Use a moderate pressure, but if you have an especially dull edge then a little more pressure may be required. The speed at which you do this bears no relevance to the result. Do this process about 10 to 12 times, but slightly more if you have a very blunt blade.
- 4). Flip the blade around and repeat Step 3 on the opposite side. You will now need to brush the knife away from you with each stroke. The angle must remain as constant as possible. After carrying this out for 10 to 12 strokes, alternate between each side of the blade, giving two or three strokes on each side at a time.
- 5). Repeat the whole process on the fine grit side of the stone. This time, increase the angle of the blade slightly, but keep the new angle constant. This will create a bevel at the end of the blade, which will give strength to the edge, producing a sharper blade for a longer period of time.
Source...