How to Sharpen a Knife - Japanese Kitchen Knife Introduction | MUSASHI JAPAN, by MUSASHI JAPAN on YouTube. 16 min 56 s.
- Video length
- 16 min 56 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Fill a bowl with water and soak your whetstone until it stops bubbling, usually 10 to 15 minutes for a standard stone.
Place a damp towel or non-slip mat under the stone so it stays put while you work.
Hold the knife with your dominant hand and lay the blade flat on the stone at the angle you want, roughly 15 degrees for a Japanese knife.
Rest your other hand lightly on the blade and push the edge forward and across the stone in one smooth stroke.
Work along the whole edge in sections, keeping the angle steady, until you feel a slight burr on the opposite side.
Turn the knife over and repeat the same strokes on the other side until the burr flips back.
Switch to a finer grit stone if you have one and repeat with lighter pressure to polish the edge.
Rinse the blade, dry it fully with a cloth and test the edge on a tomato or sheet of paper.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep the stone wet throughout and add water whenever it starts to look dry.
Use light pressure and let the stone do the work, pressing hard can round the edge.
Keep the angle constant, a wobbling wrist is the most common reason a knife stays dull.
Never test sharpness by running your finger along the edge, use paper or a tomato instead.
Questions
What grit whetstone should a beginner buy?
A 1000 grit stone handles most everyday sharpening. Add a 3000 or 6000 grit stone later if you want a finer polish.
How often should I sharpen my knife?
For home cooking, a light sharpening every one to two months keeps the edge in good shape. Hone or strop in between.
Can I sharpen a serrated or very damaged blade this way?
Serrated edges need a different approach, and deep chips are best fixed by a professional. Start with a sound, straight edge.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
