How to Sharpen Knife & Tool Blades

Keeping knife and tool blades sharp is important because sharp blades function better, and dull blades are dangerous. Knives and tools are also an investment that require proper upkeep to last longer. Just as there are many different kinds of knives and tools, there are also a host of ways to sharpen them. These include using a steel, a whetstone, a grinder, or other mechanical device such as an electric sharpener.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Steel
• Cutting board
• Whetstone
• Grinder
• Water
• Oil
• Mechanical sharpener

Using a Steel

1. Hold a sharpening (or knife) steel point down with its tip resting on a cutting board. A sharpening steel is a metal rod used to sharpen knives and tools.

2. Using your other hand, hold the knife against the steel with the back of the blade touching the steel. Place most of the blade in front of the steel.

3. Tilt the knife with its cutting edge touching the shaft of the steel at approximately a 20-degree angle.

4. Pull the entire length of the blade toward you, while sliding it downward along the shaft of the steel. Remember to maintain the proper angle. Repeat this step as many times as required to get the blade properly sharpened.

5. Slide the other side of the blade against the steel as many times as required.

Using a Whetstone

6. Place a whetstone that has both coarse and fine sides on a flat and secure surface. A whetstone is a sharpening stone used for knives and other tools. For dull blades, use the coarse side first. Use the fine side only for blades that are less dull.

7. Oil or put water on the whetstone.

8. Hold the knife at a 20- to 30-degree angle, and scrape the blade on the whetstone in the direction away from yourself.

9. Scrape the other side of the blade against the whetstone in the same way.

10. Keep scraping the blade until it has reached the desired sharpness. The number of scrapes required will depend on how dull (or sharp) the blade was when you started. Alternate the side of the blade each time when scraping.

With a Grinder

11. Turn on a bench grinder. A bench grinder has a wheel that operates at a rapid speed, and is used for sharpening knives and tools.

12. Place a container of water near the grinder.

13. Place the blade against the grinder wheel, and gently sharpen as needed. Be careful; grinder wheels can remove too much metal from the blade, or leave it rough and uneven.

14. Occasionally, dip the blade into water to cool it down.

15. Use a steel to hone the blade after sharpening. Follow the steps above for using a steel. Homing is a process to keep the cutting edge aligned.

With a Mechanical Sharpener

16. Purchase a mechanical sharpener, and follow its instructions.

17. Place the blade in the sharpener, and pull it towards yourself. Repeat process until knife has reached desired sharpness.

18. Hone the blade with a steel.

Tips & Warnings

• A mechanical sharpener is not suggested for fine knives. Bench grinders require concentration and a well-lit area. It is best to sharpen blades on a regular basis, rather than waiting until they become noticeably dull.

References

• Howstuffworks.com
• Ronhazelton.com
• Newwestknifeworks.com