How to Sharpen a Pocket Knife, by Bushradical on YouTube. 5 min 51 s.
- Video length
- 5 min 51 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Place the stone on a flat, stable surface. If your stone is small, set it on a damp cloth so it does not slide while you work.
Wet the stone with water, or apply a few drops of honing oil if it is an oil stone. Keep it wet through the whole job.
Find the bevel angle by laying the blade flat on the stone, then tilting it up until the ground edge sits flush. Most pocket knives sit around 15 to 20 degrees per side.
Push the edge across the stone in a smooth stroke, keeping that angle locked. Work one side until you feel a slight burr on the opposite edge.
Flip the knife and repeat the same number of strokes on the other side. Keep the pressure light and even.
Alternate sides with a few lighter passes to even out the edge and remove the burr.
Wipe the blade clean and test the edge on paper or a tomato. If it drags, repeat a few passes on each side.
Rinse and dry the stone, then dry the knife fully before folding it away.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep the angle steady on every stroke, since a wobbling wrist rounds the edge instead of sharpening it.
Use light pressure and let the stone do the work, because pressing hard digs grooves and wears the blade.
Always push the edge away from you or into the stone, never drag it toward your fingers.
Wipe the blade after each session and keep the stone flat, since a dished stone cannot sharpen evenly.
Questions
Do I need water or oil on the stone?
Use water on a water stone and a little honing oil on an oil stone. Keep the surface wet so the metal particles do not clog it.
How do I know the knife is sharp?
Feel for a slight burr along the opposite edge, then test by slicing paper. A sharp blade cuts cleanly without snagging.
Can I sharpen a serrated pocket knife this way?
Only sharpen the flat back of a serrated blade on the stone. Use a round file or tapered rod for the serrations.
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.
