Basic Knife Sharpening Method

• 1). Allow yourself enough room to work. Your workspace should be cleared of all other kitchen tools and appliances.
  
  
• 2). Place the sharpening stone with the coarsest grit surface facing up on a damp kitchen towel or rubber mat to anchor the stone and prevent slippage.
  
  
• 3). Lubricate the stone by rubbing a few drops of mineral oil into the surface. This helps reduce the heat caused by friction, which can damage the blade over time.
  
  
• 4). Hold the knife firmly. Begin with the tip of the knife against the stone at a 20-degree angle and use the four fingers of your other hand to keep an even, light pressure on the blade.
  
  
• 5). Start to draw the entire blade across the surface of the stone with a smooth motion all the way to the heel of the knife.
  
  
• 6). Turn the knife over and repeat the process on the other side.
  
  
• 7). Use the same number of strokes on each side of the blade, preferably no more than eight to 10.
  
  
• 8). Turn the sharpening stone over and repeat Steps 2 and 3. Then finish sharpening knife on the finer grit side but using no more than five or six strokes on each blade side.
  
  
• 9). Finish by honing the knife with a steel, then wash and dry the knife thoroughly before using or putting away.