How to use A SHARPENING STONE for knives - Beginners Guide, by knivesandtools on YouTube. 5 min 52 s.
- Video length
- 5 min 52 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Choose your stone. A combi stone with a coarse side around 180 to 600 grit shapes a dull edge, and a fine side around 1000 to 3000 grit polishes it.
Soak a water stone in a bowl of water for about 10 minutes until bubbles stop rising. Splash-and-go stones only need a quick wetting.
Set the stone on a damp cloth so it does not slide. Lay the knife flat on the stone with the edge facing away from you.
Find the angle by lifting the spine until the bevel sits flat on the stone. Most kitchen knives use about 15 to 20 degrees per side.
Keep that angle and push the edge across the stone in smooth strokes, covering the whole blade from heel to tip. Use light pressure.
Work one side until you feel a burr along the whole edge, then flip the knife and do the same number of strokes on the other side.
Switch to the fine side of the stone and repeat with lighter strokes to polish the edge.
Wipe the blade clean, dry the stone, and test the edge on a tomato or sheet of paper.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep the angle steady rather than pressing hard; a consistent angle sharpens better than force.
Check for a burr with your fingertip running across the edge, never along it.
Keep the stone wet while you work and add water if it starts to dry out.
Store the stone dry and flat, and keep it away from knocks that could chip it.
Questions
Do I need to soak the stone before every use?
Water stones usually need a soak of about 10 minutes. Some splash-and-go stones only need water on the surface, so check the maker's instructions.
How do I know the knife is sharp?
Feel for a burr along the full edge on the first side. Then test by slicing a tomato or paper; it should cut cleanly without tearing.
Can I sharpen other tools on the same stone?
Yes, axes and chisels can be sharpened on a stone, but use the coarse side for damaged edges and clean the stone afterwards.
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.
