Whetstone Knife Sharpening Methods
Having the ability to sharpen your own knives is a beneficial skill that can not only help extend the life of your knives but provides an easier cutting, chopping and slicing experience for years to come. Having your own whetstone -- or wet stone -- will allow you to keep up with knife maintenance without having to buy expensive knife sharpeners or taking them to a shop. There are three ways to use a whetstone in order to sharpen your knife. Does this Spark an idea?
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Whetstone Overview
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A typical whetstone has a coarse side and a fine side. There are usually only three types of coarseness: coarse, fine and extra fine. Whetstones sold for knife sharpening will usually come as a two-sided rectangular-shaped block, with one coarse and one fine side. However, you can also purchase three separate whetstones of different coarseness.
After sharpening your knife, use a soft cloth or the soft side of the sponge to clean the knife with soap and water before using it for food. Avoid putting your knife in the dishwasher or leaving it to sit after use. Always hand wash the knife right after use and place it in a sheath or wood block, if possible.
Dry Whetstone
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This method of knife sharpening is the easiest as you do not have to do anything to the whetstone. Starting with the coarse side, aim the clean, dry knife away from you and angle it about 20 degrees. The blade of the knife should be placed downward toward the whetstone, with the angle coming up to 20 degrees. Move the knife in a sweeping motion, without a lot of pressure, as if you are trying to slice a very thin layer off the whetstone. Do this slicing movement at least 15 times on each side of the knife after every use. If the knife is dull, you can sharpen each side up to 100 times. Remember to do the same amount on both sides. Repeat this process on the fine side of the whetstone.
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Whetstone With Water
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According the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the word "whet" actually means "to sharpen by rubbing on or with something (as a stone)." Therefore it is not redundant to actually wet a whetstone. With a lot of use, a whetstone will have mineral and metal particles clogging the pores of the stone, gradually decreasing its effectiveness. Water helps clean out the congested parts. It is important to note that certain whetstones are not to be used with any liquid. Whetstones used with water are typically labeled Japanese water stones.
Fully submerge the whetstone in clean water for 24 hours. Take the stone out of its bath and set it on a flat surface, lubricating it once again with the water. Follow the sharpening method used for the dry whetstone.
Whetstone With Oil
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Whetstones used with oil are usually called oil stones. Oil, either mineral or machine, can be applied to the stone to help glide the knife across the surface. The benefit to this method, similar to that of water, is that it removes filings and helps hold the stone particles together.
Using a dropper, apply one to two drops of oil every inch of the block. Follow the sharpening method used for the dry whetstone.
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References
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- Photo Credit oil and grindstone image by Aleksandr Ugorenkov from Fotolia.com
