How to Sharpen a Knife With a Stone (9 Steps), by Montana Knife Company on YouTube. 16 min 38 s.
- Video length
- 16 min 38 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Soak a water stone in water for about 10 minutes until bubbles stop, or wipe an oil stone with honing oil. Set the stone on a damp towel so it does not slide.
Hold the knife at roughly a 15 to 20 degree angle to the stone. Most factory edges sit in this range. Keep that angle fixed for every stroke.
Place the edge on the stone near the heel and push the blade forward and across in one smooth stroke, as if slicing a thin layer off the stone.
Work from the heel to the tip in overlapping passes. Cover the whole edge on one side, then flip the knife and repeat the same number of strokes on the other side.
Start on the coarse side of the stone if the edge is dull or damaged. Use light pressure and let the abrasive do the work.
Switch to the finer grit side and repeat the passes with lighter pressure. This polishes the edge and removes the scratches from the coarse grit.
Feel the edge along its length with your fingertip, moving across the edge, never along it. A burr or slight roughness on one side means you have reached the edge.
Wipe the blade clean and test it on paper or a tomato. If it drags or slips, make a few more light passes on the fine stone.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep the angle steady rather than pressing hard. A consistent angle matters more than force.
Sharpen in the same direction on each side and count your strokes so both sides stay even.
Rinse the stone and dry it after use so it stays flat and ready for next time.
Keep your fingers behind the edge and away from the blade path while you stroke.
Questions
Do I need to soak the stone first?
Water stones need about 10 minutes in water before use. Oil stones only need a light coat of honing oil.
How do I know when the knife is sharp?
The blade should slice paper cleanly and feel slightly rough along the edge. If it still drags, do a few more light passes on the fine grit.
Can I sharpen a very hard or thick knife on a stone?
Very hard or thick blades resist sharpening and may need more time or a coarser stone. A thinner edge geometry sharpens faster.
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.
