A dull Edge of a knife can be upgraded using diamonds and Japanese whetstones. All it requires is a cocktail of abrasives and elbow grease, resulting in a highly functional and reflective knife edge.
Start by gathering the following tools and materials:
- Diamond stones or diamond paste available at Jende Industries
- Japanese whetstones (such as Chosera, Shapton or Suehiro Whetstone)
- Water for lubrication
- A stable, flat surface for sharpening
The Process
- Remove any nicks or burns on the edge of the blade using the coarsest grit diamond stone or diamond paste. Move the blade back and forth across the stone at a consistent angle, Avoid blade over polishing and blade damage by using light touch.
- For refining the edge, after removing nicks and burns switch to a finer grit diamond stone or diamond paste. Repeat the back and forth motion, using a light touch and consistent angle.
- Switch to lowest grit Japanese whetstone (It is used to create a slurry of fine abrasive particles on surface of stone). To create slurry rub the blade back and forth across the whetstone, then move on to next grit.
- Take a medium grit stone to further refine and polish the edge. Again at a consistent angle and light touch make the blade move back and forth across the stone.
- Achieving a smooth and polished edge, move to a finisher stone, producing a reflective polish through a fine grit. Again at a consistent angle and light touch make the blade move back and forth across the stone.
- A highly polished and reflective blade is achieved, using the finisher stone. To further refine and polish the edge use a strop. What’s a strop ? A strop is a leather strap that is used to remove any burrs or imperfections on the edge. Again at a consistent angle and light touch make the blade move back and forth across the strop.
- Protect the blade from corrosion and to maintain its sharpness and shine clean and dry the blade after sharpening and polishing.
- Practice and patience, use diamonds and Japanese whetstone for reflective knife edge, All it requires is a cocktail of abrasives and elbow grease, resulting in a highly functional and reflective knife edge.
Read this article if you want to learn about Step-by-Step Guide for Sharpening Knives Using Sharpening Stones
