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Step 1
Determine the angle of the blade or cutting edge and file the tool on this angle. If the edge is at a 22-degree angle, place it at a 45-degree angle and then cut the angle by half.
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Step 2
Purchase a honing guide to get a precise angle. Clamp the blade to the guide by the sides and the tool automatically aligns.
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Step 3
Inspect the cutting edge of the tool for chips and nicks and remove them with a grinder or file. Sharpen the entire cutting edge to preserve the tool's shape.
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Step 4
Put your hone stone in your hand or set it on the surface of your work area. If you're working on a sharp blade, it's safer to set the hone stone on a hard surface to sharpen tools.
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Step 5
Match the angle of the tool to the hone stone as you did in the sharpening process.
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Step 6
Polish one side of the tool by sliding the cutting edge across the hone stone. Use a side-to-side motion or move in the direction that you normally cut.
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Step 7
Switch to the other side of the cutting edge and repeat the process. Continue to use the hone stone until you sharpen and polish both sides of the cutting edge.
