Free 35 Survival Hacks you'll love!

You will get 35 easy-to-implement survival hacks so that you don't have to stand aimlessly in the forest from tomorrow when things get tough. Take your skills to the next level!

DOWNLOAD HERE FOR FREE

This simple and inexpensive trick shows you how to keep your knife sharp

Learn how to keep your knife sharp with a small and inexpensive sharpening stone. Never let your knife become dull again, whether you are a beginner or a pro.

from Martin Gebhardt | Survival | no comment yet | reading time 2 Min
Updated on 05 September 2023 52.351 views 98% found this guide helpful
This simple and inexpensive trick shows you how to keep your knife sharp

Martin Gebhardt

From Martin Gebhardt. Check out my “About me” page.


👉 The key facts from this guide

  • A knife should never become completely dull, as it is more difficult to sharpen a knife that is already dull.
  • A simple and inexpensive sharpening stone is sufficient to keep a knife sharp, especially for beginners.
  • The proper technique for sharpening involves holding the knife with the blade facing upwards and placing the sharpening stone against the side of the blade before tilting it gently towards the edge.
  • The sharpening stone should be moved against the blade edge, ensuring that the same number of sharpening movements are performed on both sides of the blade.
  • A moderate amount of pressure should be applied when sharpening, and the knife blade should be drawn over a honing leather (or leather belt) at the end to improve sharpness.
  • The number of sharpening cycles may vary depending on how sharp the knife already is or how sharp it needs to be.

Keeping your knife sharp is probably not your favorite activity.

There are dozens of different techniques and tools to get this job done. However, what I have learned is that simplicity proves to be one of the best practices.

The goal in sharpening your knife is to get it sharp quickly and easily.

You are removing metal from the edge of the blunt blade. Typically, your blade is blunt because the metal has been rolled on a microscopic level.

So, when sharpening, we need to remove the rolled metal and create a clean edge.

Keep your knife sharp, never let it become dull

First, the most important tip when you own a knife and work with it regularly: never let your knife become dull.

Sharpening your knife before it becomes dull is much easier. If your knife is already dull, it is much harder to get it sharp again.

According to a survey, 37% of respondents do not sharpen their knives regularly
According to a survey, 37% of respondents do not sharpen their knives regularly

If you discover large cracks in the blade, then your knife is more than dull. You will not be able to repair these cracks through simple sharpening, either.

Perhaps it is time to look for a new knife.

Knife Rule: Never Let Your Knife Become Dull
Knife Rule: Never Let Your Knife Become Dull

Get a simple sharpening stone

For beginners in bushcraft, survival, or other outdoor hobbies, a small pocket sharpening stone will be sufficient. This is a simple and inexpensive way to sharpen your knife.

Don't be intimidated by expensive and complex sharpening systems. And don't take the best knife sharpeners on YouTube as your role model, as these people have years of experience in sharpening.

A pocket-sized sharpening stone will also do the job for you.

In addition, these sharpening stones are lightweight, small, high-quality, and won't break the bank.

I wholeheartedly recommend the DC4 sharpening stone from Fallkniven. The reviews speak for themselves.

Fallkniven DC4

Data updated 22 hours ago

Fallkniven DC4

  • Perfect to keep in your pocket or rucksack all the time!
  • Leather sheath included
  • Use wet or dry
  • Diamond Ceramic Sharpening Stone

$26.99

View Product

How to sharpen your knife

1. Hold your knife with the blade facing up and the tip away from you.

2. Place your sharpening stone against the side of the knife.

3. Carefully tilt the sharpening stone towards the edge (sharp part) of your knife.

4. When you tilt the sharpening stone towards the blade, you will notice a gap between the edge and the sharpening stone. As you get closer to the edge, a dark shadow will appear in between.

Pay attention to the shadow in the gap and close the gap completely
Pay attention to the shadow in the gap and close the gap completely

5. Move the sharpening stone further towards the edge to reduce the shadow and close the gap. You should only close the gap and not tilt the sharpening stone any further.

Close the gap completely
Close the gap completely

6. When the gap is closed and no shadow is visible, the correct angle for sharpening is set.

7. Now you start sharpening the knife. Move the sharpening stone against the blade (from top to bottom).

Move your sharpening stone against the knife edge - from top to bottom
Move your sharpening stone against the knife edge - from top to bottom

8. Repeat these movements on the other side of the blade. Make sure to perform the same number of sharpenings on each side of your knife.

9. Is your knife sharp enough? Test it by using it. If you are satisfied with the sharpness, you're done. If not, continue sharpening your knife.

Tips and Tricks

  • Depending on the sharpness of your knife, the sharpening process on each side can take anywhere from 5 to 30 repetitions. Ultimately, you have to decide if the sharpness of your knife is sufficient for you.
  • Do not press hard against the blade while moving the sharpening stone along it. Use moderate pressure instead.
  • At the end, draw your knife blade over a leather strop (or your leather belt) and you will be amazed at how the sharpness improves. But be careful: draw with the back of the blade first and NOT with the blade itself, as in sharpening.
With a small leather strop, you give your knife the final touch
With a small leather strop, you give your knife the final touch

Great, you're done. Using your knife just got twice as enjoyable!

Don't own a sharpening stone? Then check out my article "9 tricks for sharpening a knife without a sharpening stone".

Take care, Martin
Martin Gebhardt

Author of the guide


Martin Gebhardt

Hey, I'm Martin. On my blog, you will learn the basics and numerous details about living in the wild. I think survival, bushcraft and the good life in nature are the keys to happiness. Find me here on Instagram or on YouTube. You can find more about my mission on the About Me page.

Was this guide helpful?

52 people found this guide helpful.

YesNo

4.92 out of 5 points (53 Ratings)

Comments (0)

This post may contain affiliate links. So if you click on the links and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Click here, to learn more about it.

Free 35 Survival Hacks you'll love!

You will get 35 easy-to-implement survival hacks so that you don't have to stand aimlessly in the forest from tomorrow when things get tough. Take your skills to the next level!

DOWNLOAD HERE FOR FREE