How To Sharpen Knives

Many people struggle with dull knives every day. Here is a short and precise lesson on the foolproof way to sharpen a knife.

A good sharpening stone is the very best tool to use when you need to sharpen any knife. The sharpening stone has been used for centuries to sharpen knives...

The process of sharpening is simple. Scrape the blade of the knife across the stone at an angle to wear off metal.

1. The sharpening stone should be placed on a flat, stable surface. A cloth may be placed under the stone to promote safety, and to keep it from sliding.
2. Use a small amount of light oil or water to lubricate the stone.
3. Starting with the knife blade at an angle of about 20 degrees, push the blade across the stone and away from you. To reach a 20 degree angle raise the back of the knife up 1 inch off the stone.
4. The knife should be scraped across the top of the stone in a motion that you would use to cut a small slice off the top of the stone.
5. Turning the knife over, draw the reverse side of the blade toward you, using the same 20 degree angle and the same number of strokes. Be very careful to keep your off hand away from the knife as you draw it toward you.
6. It is very important to sharpen both sides with the same number of strokes. It is also important to keep the angle the same on both sides of the blade as you sharpen.
7. Continue by doing only about 5 strokes across the stone, for each side of the knife. This process is continued with the same number of strokes completed on each side. A minimum of 25 strokes should be done on each side of the knife. Safety is of the utmost importance when you are sharpening any knife. Be sure that your off hand is never in the path of the knife when you are drawing the blade toward you.

When you have completes the twenty five strokes on each side. Hold the knife at the same 20 degree angle and rub the blade on the stone using a circular motion. The motion should mimic you slowly stirring a cup of coffee. This circular sharpen should be done on both sides of the blade. This will complete the sharpening and give you a foolproof edge.