It has been argued by more than a few outdoor enthusiasts whether a sharp knife or a dull knife is more dangerous to the user. The logic has always been that the dull knife might not plunge as deeply into you as the sharp blade, but the more jagged wound may take longer to heal (not to mention that you have to push harder to even use the dull knife, increasing the likelihood of a mishap).

So let’s take the dull knife issue off the table by learning some sharpening tricks that work at home AND in the field. 

1) Determine the tasks you’ll be performing with the blade. If you are sharpening a survival knife, which has many purposes, you’ll benefit most from a wider, more durable edge angle. The type of knife and its intended uses should be the main factor governing how sharp you want to make it.
   
2) Most folks use a lubricant on their sharpening stone, but there is always debate over using oil or water as the lubricant. Some sharpening experts even argue that you shouldn’t use any lubricant at all. Whether you are a water guy or an oil guy, it’s important that you clean your stone very well after using it, especially after using an oil lubricant, which could clog your stone. Scrubbing it with a brush under cold water for a minute or two will usually do the trick.
   
3) Select the right angle for the particular knife you would like to sharpen, and maintain that angle while sharpening. It doesn't have to be exact, but it should be. Most knifes have a bevel angle of roughly 20 to 23 degrees.

4) Start sharpening with a coarse stone only if your knife is seriously dull or has been chipped, dinged, or otherwise abused.
   
5) Move to your medium stone for the majority of your sharpening work, or start there if the knife wasn’t too dull to begin with.
   
6) Count your strokes and use the same number on both sides of the blade.
   
7) If you are using a real rock that you found in a stream, make sure it has a smooth section to sharpen your knife. I have gotten blades razor sharp by using natural stones, but these results are not typical.

8) Sharpen often. Don’t give you blade a chance to become irreparably ruined.
     
9) While sharpening rinse your stone often to keep the pores open.
   
10) Test for sharpness on inanimate objects. Slicing paper from edge to edge is a great test. Stay away from shaving arm hair and carving into your thumbnail.

So here’s your homework assignment ... Get a knife so sharp that you could slice pieces of paper with no resistance. Good luck, and let us know how you do in the comments.

Comments (3)

from Glenn Shaffstall 8/30/2012 at 12:42pm

I would have to say the cut from a sharpe egde over a dull edge anyday. I'v been cut with knives, chisels, powersaws just about everything and the clean sharp cut always heals faster and better than a ragged dull cut.

I've just started using honing fluid over oil which is closer to water and I like it so far. It also makes it easier to clean the stone.

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from trapper vic 8/29/2012 at 09:00am

Spit works better than water , soapy water works well to help in clean up, oils fine but collects dirt and is hard to clean with water. Don't forget to use a good steel to keep the edge straight.

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from JM 8/27/2012 at 05:28pm

-Both a sharp knife and a dull knife can cut you...I have found that I move slower and more cautiously with a sharp knife. I feel like I rush myself/get careless when I have a dull knife.

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from JM 8/27/2012 at 05:28pm

-Both a sharp knife and a dull knife can cut you...I have found that I move slower and more cautiously with a sharp knife. I feel like I rush myself/get careless when I have a dull knife.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from trapper vic 8/29/2012 at 09:00am

Spit works better than water , soapy water works well to help in clean up, oils fine but collects dirt and is hard to clean with water. Don't forget to use a good steel to keep the edge straight.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Glenn Shaffstall 8/30/2012 at 12:42pm

I would have to say the cut from a sharpe egde over a dull edge anyday. I'v been cut with knives, chisels, powersaws just about everything and the clean sharp cut always heals faster and better than a ragged dull cut.

I've just started using honing fluid over oil which is closer to water and I like it so far. It also makes it easier to clean the stone.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

Write a Comment Your comment (200 characters or less):

 

All submitted answers are subject to the rules set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.