How to Sharpen Pocket Knives

Pocket knives are useless if they are not sharp. But, you don't have to take your pocket knife to a professional sharpener. You can easily do this at home and save money. Once you get the hang of it, you will be sharpening other knives and scissors.

Things You'll Need

• Pocket knife
• Whetstone (fine on one side and coarse on the other)
• Machine oil
• Ceramic knife sharpening rod
• Dry cloth

Instructions

1. Sitting at a table or work bench, lay all the supplies out.

2. 

   Place 3 to 4 drops of honing oil on top of the fine side of the whetstone. The only time you will need to use the coarse side of the whetstone is if you have a damaged blade and need to smooth the damaged part out.

3. 

   Laying one edge of the knife against the whetstone, slowly slide the edge of the knife from the handle to the tip of the knife toward you completely across the whetstone.

4. Follow step 3 but on the opposite edge. Example: turn the knife over to the opposite edge. Start at the handle and slide it across the whetstone to the tip, away from you.

5. Repeat step 3 and 4 ten to twelve times or until you achieve the desired sharpness.

6. 

   Take the ceramic rod and repeat the same process. This is called "finishing the edge."

7. Wipe the blade, rod and whetstone clean with the cloth.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful and avoid cuts as knife will become sharp