How to Sharpen a Knife With a Square Stone

Dull knives are not only difficult to use, they can be dangerous. Keep your knives safe and sharp with the most basic sharpening tool, the honing stone. A honing stone, also known as a whetstone or sharpening stone, is just that--a piece of hard stone. Most honing stones have two sharpening surfaces: a rougher grit for the initial sharpening and a smoother side for polishing the edge.

Things You'll Need

• Honing stone
• Honing oil or water

Instructions

1. Hold the stone with the coarse side up, fingers curled back from the sharpening surface. Use your left hand (if right handed) to hold the stone.

2. Place a few drops of oil or water on the honing stone.

3. Firmly grasp your knife, keeping your fingers from the blade. Lay it flat on the stone with the edge directed away from you.

4. Tilt the blade to a 20 degree angle.

5. Slide the knife across the honing stone, from hilt to point. Imagine you are peeling the stone. Repeat.

6. Turn the blade over and sharpen the other side, pulling the knife toward you. Repeat.

7. Continue working until the knife is sharpened. A dull blade will require more passes.

8. Flip the honing stone over to the polishing side and repeat steps 1 to 7.

Tips & Warnings

• Honing stones can be used with oil or water.

• Use caution when sharpening any knife.