Except for when the blade is dull, a pocket knife is an incredibly useful tool to carry around at all times. Knowing how to sharpen a pocket knife is crucial because a useless edge is of no use to anyone.
Knives need to be sharpened at various angles. It’s crucial to match the angle of the edge of the blade on a pocket knife in order to sharpen it properly.
This article discusses the equipment you’ll need and the procedures to keep your pocket knife’s edge sharp.
How to Sharpen a Pocket Knife
To obtain a sharp knife, there are numerous approaches that can be taken, and the best strategy ultimately depends heavily on personal preference. In this guide, we’ll be discussing a basic method that is suitable for beginners and has proven to be effective. We’d be interested to hear about your preferred method, though, if you’d like to share it in the comments.
It’s important to keep in mind that a knife’s sharpening technique can change depending on the use for which it is intended. When sharpening a pocket knife for whittling, for instance, one might use a different technique than when sharpening a chef’s knife for fine dining. Therefore, it’s crucial to take the knife’s intended use into account when choosing the best sharpening technique.
Read More: What Is a Utility Knife Used for
Let’s proceed to the crucial steps in sharpening your knife.
1. Gather Your Tools
To sharpen a pocket knife, you will need the following tools:
- The primary equipment required to sharpen a knife is a sharpening stone. Water stones, oil stones, and diamond stones are just a few of the many varieties of sharpening stones that are available. Water must be used as a lubricant because water stones are made of porous material. Oil stones are made of harder material and require oil to be used as a lubricant. Sharpening very hard materials is made easier with diamond stones, which are made of abrasive particles embedded in a metal or plastic base.
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- Lubricant: Whether you’re using an oil or water stone for sharpening, you’ll need some kind of lubricant to help clear away debris and create a smooth surface. Water can be used to lubricate water stones, though mineral oil is recommended. Additionally, some people use a honing oil, which is a unique oil designed for use on sharpening stones.
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- Once your knife’s edge is even and smooth, you can begin honing it with a rod or strop. The edge can be polished and any burrs or flaws can be eliminated using a honing rod or strop. Honing rods are typically made of steel or ceramic and have a smooth, round surface. Strops are used to polish the blade’s edge and are made of leather or canvas.
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- A clean, dry cloth: You will need a clean, dry cloth to wipe the blade clean and dry it off when you are finished sharpening.
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- Protective gear: It is always a good idea to wear protective gear when sharpening a knife. This could include gloves, eye protection, and apron.
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2. Clean Your Pocket Knife
It’s important to make sure the blade is clean and dry before sharpening, as any dirt or moisture can interfere with the sharpening process and result in an uneven edge.
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The blade should first be washed in warm water to get rid of any dirt or debris. Pay close attention to any crevices or challenging-to-reach places when gently cleaning the blade with a soft cloth or toothbrush. Utilizing a fresh towel or cloth, completely dry the blade.
If the blade is particularly dirty or has been used to cut through acidic foods (such as citrus fruit), you may need to use a mild detergent to remove any lingering residue. Simply use a toothbrush or cloth and a little warm water and dish soap to gently scrub the blade. Rinse the blade thoroughly with warm water to remove any soap or detergent and dry again with a clean cloth.
3. Find Your Edge Angle (or Edge Bevel)
It’s critical to match the angle of the knife’s edge in order to sharpen it properly. Different knives may have slightly different angles, so it’s a good idea to either consult the manufacturer or refer to the owner’s manual to find out the correct angle for your specific knife. On both sides, most manufacturers advise sharpening at a 15-20 degree angle.
If you’re using a sharpening stone, you can mark the edge of the blade with a marker before sharpening. This will allow you to see when you’ve achieved the correct angle by checking for the presence of the marker ink after a few sharpening strokes.
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4. Lubricate Your Sharpening Stone
Pour some lubricant over your sharpening stone. You don’t have to create a puddle, but you also shouldn’t be frugal. You may need to reapply lubricant throughout the sharpening process depending on how long it takes and whether the lubrication runs away.
5. Start Sharpening Your Pocket Knife
It’s critical to adhere to the instructions provided by the tool’s manufacturer if you’re sharpening something. They should take precedence over our suggestions.
If you have stones with multiple grits, start with the coarsest grit. In a sweeping motion, move the blade along the length of the stone while maintaining a constant angle. By doing this, you will be able to make contact with the entire blade and reshape the edge using the abrasive material.
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It’s crucial to keep a loose grip and exert little force on the knife, allowing the stone to do the work. This procedure is frequently simpler to carry out when using pocket knives with shorter blades as opposed to larger knives.
You might see a burr of metal forming along the blade as you sharpen. When this occurs, it’s time to switch to the opposite side of the blade and continue. Consistency in holding the angle and pressure is key to achieving a properly sharpened blade.
6. Transition from Rough Grit to Finer-grit
Many portable sharpening tools include several stones of varying grits. You should begin sharpening a pocket knife with the coarsest grit stone you will need based on how dull the blade is. In order to remove a significant amount of material when the blade is extremely dull, you might need to use the coarsest stone.
You might not need to use the coarsest stone at all if the blade is in good condition and only requires minor touch-up sharpening. Instead, to save time and prevent removing more material than is necessary, you can begin with a finer grit stone. To get a finer edge as you sharpen, move on to stones with a finer grit.
You should always keep in mind that routine maintenance can keep your blade sharp and reduce the need for coarse grit stones.
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7. Hone Your Pocket Knife Blade
This step can frequently be skipped if your blade is in good shape and is sharpened frequently. To achieve an even sharper edge, use a fine-grit stone (such as a ceramic stone, which is typically included in a knife-sharpening kit). Use the same steady motion you would when sharpening.
8. Strop Your Blade
A final polish and sharpening aid can be applied to the blade by running it over a piece of leather while using a polishing compound. The term for this is stropping. Although it’s optional, many professionals swear by it to boost the blade’s overall performance.
9. Check the Blade’s Sharpness
A knife that has been properly sharpened should be able to easily cut through a moderately thick sheet of paper, like a magazine page. No tearing or hanging up should occur. Experiment by slicing your blade through paper. A section likely needs more attention if you notice a problem area where you keep getting stuck.
Magazine paper should be easily and cleanly cut with a knife, without any sticking or tearing. If there is a specific area of the blade that gets stuck, that area probably requires more care.
Final Words
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Even though it involves some art, learning how to sharpen a pocket knife or kitchen knife shouldn’t feel mysterious. Remember that practice makes perfect, so take your time and concentrate on getting your angle and technique right. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying a sharp edge.
FAQs
What is the Best Thing to Use to Sharpen a Pocket Knife?
All you need to sharpen a pocket knife is a sharpening stone and some lubricant. To keep the stone’s pores from becoming clogged with grit, lubricate it with mineral oil. To sharpen the knife, slide it down and off the stone about 12 times at the bevel angle.
Do You Need to Sharpen Pocket Knives?
Having a pocket knife on hand is always a good idea, unless the blade is dull. Your pocket knife needs to be sharpened frequently. Here’s how to properly sharpen the blade to avoid risking harm to your knife.
Do You Use Oil Or Water to Sharpen a Knife?
Since mineral oil has a slightly different feel when sharpening than water because it is more viscous (or thicker), most serious sharpeners typically prefer it.