How to Sharpen a Knife With a Stone

Seems like only yesterday you had a brand new knife.

Then, as with all things, it began to get a little worn and dull. That pristine cutting edge got chipped and dinged and you’re back to an old dull knife again.

Does this sound familiar? Then follow along and we’ll show you how to sharpen a knife with a stone.

How to Sharpen a Knife With a Stone

Before we go to the actual steps, let’s talk about the stone we will use in sharpening the knives in our knife sets block.

Many types of stones can be used to sharpen a knife. The most common type is the whetstone.

A whetstone is a rectangular stone that has two different sides: a rough side and a smooth side. The rough side is used to grind the knife blade, while the smooth side is used to finish the edge.

Other types of stones include diamond, ceramic, and natural. Diamond stones are the most expensive and are typically only used by professional sharpeners.

Ceramic stones are less expensive and are a good option for those who are new to sharpening knives.

Natural stones, such as Arkansas stones, are the least expensive and are a good choice for those who want to sharpen their knives on a budget.

Now that we know more about our tool to have a sharp knife, let’s go with the procedures.

Wet The Stone Before Sharpening

To sharpen a blunt knife with a stone, start by lubricating the stone with water or oil before sharpening. This will help to keep the knife from slipping and will also prevent the stone from becoming too dry.

Place the Knife at a 20-Degree Angle

Place the knife at a 20-degree angle on the stone. Then, using even pressure, push the knife away from you along the length of the stone. Be sure to maintain the 20-degree angle as you do this.

Repeat this process 5-10 times on each side of the blade.

Use a Back and Forth Motion

Use a back and forth motion with the stone against the blade of the knife. Start with the stone at the base of the blade and work your way up to the tip. Be sure to keep the angle of the blade against the stone consistent as you sharpen.

Apply Light Pressure

You don’t need to apply too much pressure, just let the weight of the knife do the work. Start with the coarse-grit side of the stone and move to the finer-grit side as needed. After a few strokes on each side, you should start to see a difference in the sharpness of your knife.

Check Your Progress Often

One of the most important things to remember when sharpening a knife with a stone is to check your progress often. This will help you to know how much material you are removing and how sharp your knife is becoming.

Your Knife in Its Pristine Condition

If your knife is starting to feel dull, don’t panic! Sharpening your knife with a stone is easy, and only takes a few minutes. Make sure to follow our tips on how to sharpen a knife with a stone and you will never have a dull knife again.

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