How to Sharpen a Pocket Knife at Home

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Pocket knives are just like any other tool: they need regular maintenance to give the best service. In the case of a knife, the most important maintenance is sharpening. A dull blade will need more force to use and will wear out more quickly. Given how easy it is to keep a pocket knife sharp, it is surprising how many knives have never been sharpened by their owners.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Whetstone Household lubrication oil Honing Rod
Whetstone
Household lubrication oil
Honing Rod

Step 1

Whetstone

Put some household lubricating oil onto the top surface of the whetstone. There should be enough to coat the top in a light layer, so the amount will depend on how big the whetstone is.

Step 2

Place the pocket knife's blade against the stone at a 10-degree angle, with the blade facing away from you. Ten degrees is the normal angle that a pocket knife's bevel needs for sharpening, although it is possible that yours is different. If your knife is getting scratched up or isn't sharpening properly, try raising the angle to between 15 and 25 degrees.

Step 3

Push the pocket knife gently down the length of the whetstone. Do not shove it. Repeat about a dozen times.

Step 4

Turn the pocket knife over, place it back on the stone at a 10-degree angle (or the angle otherwise required) and push it gently down the length of the whetstone again. Repeat 6 to 8 times for the second side.

Step 5

Hone the pocket knife by gently rubbing the length of the blade against a honing rod. Place the knife against the rod at a somewhat larger angle than you used to sharpen it (15 degrees or so for a normal pocket knife). One to three swipes against the honing rod per side will be fine.

Tips & Warnings

A knife with a truly dull edge might need to be filed before it can be sharpened.

Article Written By Edwin Thomas

Edwin Thomas has been writing since 1997. His work has appeared in various online publications, including The Black Table, Proboxing-Fans and others. A travel blogger, editor and writer, Thomas has traveled from Argentina to Vietnam in pursuit of stories. He holds a Master of Arts in international affairs from American University.

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