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
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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.

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