How to Sharpen a Knife With a Honing Kit

Knife and Stone

Most honing kits contain a soft and a hard stone, along with honing oil. The soft stone is the same as a medium stone and the hard stone is the same as a fine stone. Some kits include three stones that are mounted in a stand. The different grades of stones can be rotated to access whatever grade is desired. All knives are designed to be sharp and all knives should be kept sharp. A dull knife does a lousy job of cutting. Take the time to learn how to sharpen your knife--the task is neither boring nor difficult. Follow the steps below and keep that knife sharp.

Things You'll Need

• Honing kit
• Rag
• Scrap paper

Instructions

1. 

   Grab a sheet of paper and test the sharpness of the knife. Hold the paper vertically and cut down with the knife, from top to bottom. The knife should cut easily without snagging or catching. The blade should cut this way along the whole length of the blade.

2. Use the results of the above test to determine what stone should be used. Start with the soft or medium stone if the knife is dull. If the knife is sharp, start with the hard or fine stone. Always keep the stones lubricated with a film of honing oil. Reapply oil throughout the honing process.

3. Always maintain contact between the knife blade and the stone. When sharpening the blade, keep the blade angle between 20 to 25 degrees. Keeping this angle between the knife blade and the stone is critical if a sharp edge is desired. Make 5 or 6 up-and-down strokes. Throughout the sharpening process, periodically check the edge for sharpness and keep the edge clean. Use the rag to wipe down the blade if needed.

4. A dull knife may require some work on the soft stone. Work the knife and then check the edge. When a good, consistent edge has been established, switch to the hard stone. Continue working the knife with the hard stone. The hard stone is not as aggressive as the soft stone. The hard stone removes little metal--in a way it is polishing the edge. Test the sharpness of the edge using the paper test. When satisfied with the keenness of the edge, clean the stones and the knife.

Tips & Warnings

• Take good care of your honing kit and the stones will last a lifetime.

• Exercise caution when sharpening knives.