How to Sharpen a Pocket Knife?
Posted by SwordsSwords on Aug 25th 2020
Pocket knives come handy for the ease of usability and accessibility. The knife is intended for multiple uses from carving wood to opening boxes and packages. For its incredible practicality, you would never want a dull blade. In case your blade gets dull with constant use over time, you must be looking forward to away and get it sharpened as quickly as possible.
Choose a sharpening stone you will use to sharpen the pocket knife. Irrespective of the type, we recommend you to opt for 2x6 inches stone for a flawless sharpening experience. When looking for commercial options, you will commonly find the following types:
Also Read: OTF Knife Maintenance: The Six-Step Process
If you intend to use a ceramic stone or whetstone, you should probably submerge it in water for the right amount of time. Knife sharpening specialists recommend using a lubricant. One common lubricant is a mineral oil that helps in preventing the stone’s pores from blocking. Further, it minimizes the heat produced by the friction when the knife is scrubbed on the stone. Remember excessive heat can warp your blade.
One important aspect of sharpening a blade is determining the most appropriate angle to keep the process smooth. The blade of the knife is refined at a specific angle commonly known as a rough grind angle. Most knives come with a bevel edge of 25-30 degrees. In case you are unaware of the exact angle, we recommend you visit a local knife shop for better assistance. Subsequently, you should maintain a knife position facing away from you. Keep your handle stable and maintain an appropriate angle through the inclusive sharpening stroke.
Bend the blade down and off the stone. Repeat the process for approximately 10 times. This will primarily become a circular movement over the stone. If the blade is longer than the whetstone, you should probably sweep it down and across the whetstone for even sharpening. Next, flip the blade over and draw it across and off the stone for approximately 6-8 times.
Flip the whetstone over to ensure the fine side is facing upward. Run your blade along the refined side of the stone. It will eliminate any bumps that may form along the edge. As an alternative, you can use a honing rod for a more precise angle. It’s a quick way to refine an edge between the sharpening process. Once you are done, test your pocket knife for sharpness. You may want to use a piece of paper for the slicing purpose. Also, you can evaluate the rounded part of the blade by holding it up to the light and look for the bright light reflection.
- Whetstone: Constructed from coarse grit stone, it is one of the easiest options to use. You are required to immerse your whetstone in cold and clean water for approximately ten minutes before the sharpening process.
- Ceramic Stones: The stone must be immersed in water before use for at least 3-5 minutes. They are comparatively harder than whetstones which means faster blade sharpening. Typically, these stones are more durable than whetstones, though they are slightly difficult to use especially for beginners.
- Diamond Stones: The stones are available in multiple levels of coarseness – hard, fine, and super-fine. They frequently come in metal plates with small diamonds secured o the surface. A few substrates have certain holes that help in capturing sharpening debris. These stones are the hardest and will sharpen your knife in no time. They tend to last the longest and also the most expensive option currently available.
Also Read: OTF Knife Maintenance: The Six-Step Process
Lubricate Your Sharpening Stone
If you intend to use a ceramic stone or whetstone, you should probably submerge it in water for the right amount of time. Knife sharpening specialists recommend using a lubricant. One common lubricant is a mineral oil that helps in preventing the stone’s pores from blocking. Further, it minimizes the heat produced by the friction when the knife is scrubbed on the stone. Remember excessive heat can warp your blade.
Figure Out the Right Angle and Position It
One important aspect of sharpening a blade is determining the most appropriate angle to keep the process smooth. The blade of the knife is refined at a specific angle commonly known as a rough grind angle. Most knives come with a bevel edge of 25-30 degrees. In case you are unaware of the exact angle, we recommend you visit a local knife shop for better assistance. Subsequently, you should maintain a knife position facing away from you. Keep your handle stable and maintain an appropriate angle through the inclusive sharpening stroke.
Glide the Knife and Sharpen the Other Side
Bend the blade down and off the stone. Repeat the process for approximately 10 times. This will primarily become a circular movement over the stone. If the blade is longer than the whetstone, you should probably sweep it down and across the whetstone for even sharpening. Next, flip the blade over and draw it across and off the stone for approximately 6-8 times.
Flip the Stone
Flip the whetstone over to ensure the fine side is facing upward. Run your blade along the refined side of the stone. It will eliminate any bumps that may form along the edge. As an alternative, you can use a honing rod for a more precise angle. It’s a quick way to refine an edge between the sharpening process. Once you are done, test your pocket knife for sharpness. You may want to use a piece of paper for the slicing purpose. Also, you can evaluate the rounded part of the blade by holding it up to the light and look for the bright light reflection.