How to Sharpen Woodcarving Knives

Good wood carving knives can last long enough to be passed down as family heirlooms. But you’re not doing your knives any favor unless you sharpen them regularly. Here's how to do it effectively.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Coarse sharpening stone
• Fine-grain sharpening stone
• Strop (or old leather belt)

1. Check the instructions of your sharpening stones, as some require to be oiled as part of their maintenance.

2. Press the knife on its flat side against the course stone at an 11-degree angle. Place your hand on the knife and push the knife away from you, turning the knife into the push. On average, you should spend 10 to 15 minutes doing this. Check to see you are doing this properly by looking directly at the edge. If you see a shine, then you know you are on the right track.

3. Switch to your fine-grain stone. Your goal now is to refine your edge even further to eliminate the shine altogether and get a razor-sharp blade. You will perform the same action as you did with the coarse-grain stone, but this time raise the knife up a few extra degrees on the angle.

4. To completely eliminate any edge whatsoever, take your strop (or belt) and run your knife across the surface, pulling away from the edge. Check the blade of your knife and make sure it does not shine.

5. To confirm your knife is sharp, run the blade lightly over a fingernail. If the blade “hiccups,” or catches, this indicates you still have more to sharpen. Clean your stones and strop before putting them away.