How To Sharpen A Knife In About 5 Minutes With ONE Stone | EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW FAST! 2023

How to sharpen a knife in 5 minutes with one stone for beginners. And everything you need to know about freehand knife sharpening in order to get a shaving sharp edge fast.
(See disclosures below)
Sharpening stone in video⬇️
amzn.to/3t0N7x8
I mentioned it was the coarse in the video, and was mistaken, I was using the EXTRA coarse linked above.
Cheaper GOOD coarse diamond stone⬇️
amzn.to/3Gqr1an
(personally used and recommend)
The next stone I'd add to your collection⬇️
amzn.to/3Rq8iSD
(amazing stone!)
Strops⬇️
amzn.to/46G1x3B
Just about any cheap leather strop and GREEN compound will do for cheaper knives.
DISCLOSURE:
As an amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases
Personal disclosure:
As an affiliate I may earn a commission on purchases made through product links at no additional cost to you. Everything in this video was purchased with my own money. And I'm free to say whatever I want about any product.
Chapters:
00:00 INTRO and quick info on the best sharpening stones for beginners
00:31 First step finding your angle the SECRET is here
01:12 If you’re struggling to find the angle
01:36 easiest way to maintain the knife angle
02:11 Starting to move the knife on the stone SHARPENING
02:38 Creating a burr
02:54 After you create a burr on one side
03:26 what if your nice doesn’t feel sharp?
03:59 How to remove the burr
04:57 Our $1 knife doing some crazy cutting!
05:14 How fast can you sharpen a knife freehand? Faster than you think!

[@OUTDOORS55]

I incorrectly state my stone is the DMT coarse, in fact, it is the EXTRA coarse. I left a link to it in the description. Thanks for watching!

[@Flaco...0]

Thanks for the info I'm new to this but I want to master the skill. Subscribed 🍺

[@stevealford230]

YOU'RE extra coarse! ... and we appreciate it.

[@Super1Matt1]

Whats that comparable to the shapton stones 320?

[@MikeJ602]

Oh you really screwed us with that mix up 😂

[@ariliquin]

Best tutorial thanks

[@albertosara416]

I think you've done it, this is definitely the ultimate 5 minutes learn how to sharpen a knife video that actually doesn't skip the important details

[@Dzm79]

💯

[@izayus11]

I agree. This is a highly efficient video on how to get 90% of the kitchen knives sharp. From here on out, the diminishing returns rise steeply. He could spend other 5 minutes to bring that percentage to 93% of the best kitchen knives. Other 10 minutes to take it to 95%... He could have given a two hour lecture of many other nuisances of what makes a good edge on which kind of steel, sharpened on what kind of grit, on what kind of geometry, to do what kind of cuts on what kind of material being cut.

[@norbertnagy5514]

​@@izayus11yeah. I would be interested in the higher percentages too

[@RamadaArtist]

For real. A beginner who has no other reference could do almost infinitely worse than this video.

[@stephenallen4635]

The number of videos that dont explain what,why or how to strop is maddening, led to me spending hours of wasted time dulling my knives instead of sharpening them. Also most of them dont mention the pressure to apply when sharpening at all. One thing this video is missing for me though is that my knives dont have a bevel at the apex, ive heard of reprofiling but im still not quite sure what I should be doing in my case.

[@larryseibold4287]

This should be a KZbin sticky, that comes up first when someone searches for "how to sharpen a knife by hand". Well done (technique and camera work).

[@johnlawrence4352]

I have seen so many sharpening videos. This is the best one, the first one everyone should watch. It has the key important elements. It gives details on how that almost all miss, like how to maintain angle (most just say “practice”) or why it doesn’t require an afternoon of spare time to do it. You don’t get confusing by discussing angles that would reprofile the edge, don’t get into steels or stone types and don’t make it seem like a commercial. Just how to make the knife sharp with a stone. Really amazing that i haven’t seen a beginners guide this spot on without the tangents, fluff, or missing the little tricks that make the viewer say, oh that’s simple I can do that. Well done!

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thank you! I appreciate you taking the time to watch 🙏🙂

[@vcommandarv5916]

IKR! like printing the knife on your skin, this alone saves from a huge headache

[@rhyswilson7806]

@@vcommandarv5916 I like to take my sharpie and mark that indent, so it's easier to index to quickly, even if the dip is gone, along with a mark on the blade for where to place my thumb/finger, so it's also in the same spot along the spine.

[@vcommandarv5916]

@@rhyswilson7806 wow that's very good aswell! and wipe it clean with wiping alchole when your done

[@zalsat16]

I agree totally. I don’t think I ever learned how to properly remove the burr. Also, Fantastic tip on maintaining angle with thumb.

[@miker5502]

Alex your photography and editing have become outstanding! This has got to be the best video I've seen that succinctly describes and demonstrates how easy it is to sharpen on stones, and believe me when I say I’ve watched hundreds. Bravo!👏.

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thanks I really appreciate the feedback 🙏👊

[@anthonyforfare7223]

Could not agree more with that statement! I subbed just because of the that!👍😊😁❤️🎯

[@adfraggs]

I've been half-assing it when it comes to knife sharpening for about 20 years now. You've given me everything I need to fix that in under 6 minutes. That's impressive.

[@ChrisTrikollos]

Man you just watch this video, you perfectly understand everything and follow his instructions and then it's like magic. You know it's a good tutorial when you get this feeling...

[@iansmith9554]

I agree. This is the best training I have ever seen on this subject.

[@justafloridamanfromthe75thRR]

the GOAT of knife sharpening!!!

[@Doobie603]

I think so too!

[@Minamisneo]

This man is the absolute best teacher on this subject that i have ever found on youtube. Thank you sir!

[@ChanceandChoice]

Omg what i would have given to have had a video like this years ago. You're the GOAT.

[@Taegashi]

This is one of the most underrated edge sharpening channels on youtube. Been following for a long while now and it never ceases to impress me how well your videos are edited and how informative they are!

[@duuuude3208]

Your sharpening videos are a great public service. I share them with folks knowing you won't firehose them with complex jargon and irrelevant info. They are great for beginners and more experienced folks, presumably as you intended. Bravo.

[@kellie9274]

Just starting to learn knife sharpening and this was the best video I've seen on it. Thank you!

[@Firevine]

I appreciate the videos. I've been pretty not great at sharpening, used pull throughs, etc, and you've really helped a lot.

[@JM-wy1st]

Best instructional videos on sharpening knives that I have seen. Thank you!

[@allanknives]

Been using your sharpening forever (it seems) ... always solid advice. After lots of practice and use time and again, I have zero challenges freehand sharpening. The close ups add a lot more insight to your already thorough explainations. Thanks for all your content!

[@clintonm2357]

That close up on the apex was so beautiful I almost cried. Great video.

[@Dzm79]

Ty bro!!!! I’m glad U get back to making vids!!!

[@thegrim418]

Glad for this. My grandma's old green river knife is dull as a spoon and I love using it in the kitchen.

[@Ellantra]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! At last someone explained the skill involved in a precise and clear way. As a complete beginner, after watching so many videos on this topic and getting nowhere fast, now there is a hope that one day I might master this essential in the kitchen skill. Thank you

[@popeye1313]

I can't wait to try your method because I really haven't had any luck with sharpening and I see you put the emphasis on the angle of the blade cuz I know that's the heart of the matter

[@webderek]

Best freehand sharpening instruction video I’ve ever seen. And I’ve seen hundreds of them. Thank you. I’ll give it another try.

[@johncorso9701]

Outstanding compliment to your previous video. Good too see you upping the content.

[@sagebrushhillbilly4655]

Well, you got crystal clear explanation and as good a video as I could imagine on the matter.... all in less than 6 minutes. Thanks, man. Guess it just comes down to time on the stone for me!

[@OUTDOORS55]

Practice a little everyday. Even 1 minute a day can build the muscle memory needed very quickly. Just focus on practicing correctly, and not enforcing bad habits by over practicing with the wrong technique or angles 🙂

[@jarrettmoreland4921]

ü are the best. just finally received my shapton kuromaku 320, 1000 & 5000 stones. based on one of your previous videos. doing some recaps and then im diving into real sharpening. your videos kick ass. thank ü for sharing your skills and knowledge. your candid personality translates so well on video, and i think i can speak for everyone when i say....we are so thankful. :)

[@markparkerjr.9001]

Another great video. I really appreciate that you dont waste a lot of time in your videos. You deliver maximum efficiency for the time invested to watch your videos. Thanks again.

[@mungokiwi]

One of the best How-To sharpening videos I have seen. No bullshit, no fancy equipment or movement, just facts and good advice. Will recommend it to my friends who want to start sharpening.

[@MitchBollig]

Watched you for years, and I always appreciate your distillation down to the essentials. And BTW, your camera work and microscope camera work are uber appreciated. 👊

[@atishch]

Pure enjoyment! Great video, thank you!

[@chimpinabowtie6913]

Well you convinced me to get the hexagon pattern stone and a strop, and it really is easy to get a good edge following your tips. I've tried on even the worst, pressed steel kitchen knives and the edge I got at first attempt was unbelievable. I'm a convert.

[@danpost4755]

Great demonstration, Alex!

[@denises753]

I never sharpened my knife until very recently, about a month ago. This channel has been a godsend for learning the proper techniques!

[@spurs3483]

Love your sharpening vids.

[@beggsy62]

I purchased the sharpal diamond stone that you reviewed on your channel and was very happy with the quick results I got cheers .

[@davidcoons89]

Dang. You’re very skilled and well practiced!!

[@frankbrowning328]

Another great video! Showing the actual techniques is key to success

[@bsewall]

I appreciate the fantastic introduction to sharpening video! The close-up shots are truly impressive, effectively illustrating the discussed concepts.

[@tmille10]

Great video Alex, you and Jared are the best around when it comes to teaching sharpening fundamentals man. Keep up the awesome work.

[@robbabcock_]

Great video! You're one of the few guys that discusses sharpening on youtube that actually knows what he's talking about.

[@lukearts2954]

Awesome. This also looks like the perfect prep for a summer side job as a mime... X"D This is a nice summary of your advice that you gave across many videos in the past. Any of your tips that I have used, always proved to be very effective. What surprised me the most, was how little passes are needed to fully sharpen a blade.

[@5cyndi]

Can’t wait to try this; sharpening a knife for me has been a challenge and good to see the process outlined

[@dw6528]

Thank you! Wonderfully taught!!

[@Finvaara]

I keep coming back to this video while I'm learning how to sharpen. I've been practicing on my steak knives because I've got a lot of them and they're cheap to replace, before I get to my cooking knives, which are less cheap to replace and more individual.

[@nickfranklin1867]

I think this is the best knife sharpening video I have watched, keep up the good work!

[@Scious]

Love your videos, no bloat, to the point, so good!

[@Doggieman1111]

Excellent, can't wait to try this technique

[@skyboy123454321]

Thank you for this great knife sharpening tutorial. Ive been through countless sharpening videos, trying goofy angle guides and they do not work so well. Your method of keeping the entire hands, arms and upper body locked does wonders and let me sharpen my knife razor sharp in just minutes!

[@LeLilley1]

Great job on this! VERY well presented and easy to understand! I'm going to share this with a few folks that seem to want to learn.

[@jons2447]

Thank you, Alex, for another great video. My technique is similar. I learned at an early age the key to freehand sharpening is a constant consistency. The edge must meet the sharpener at the same angle every stroke. And the other side has to be the same angle or very nearly so. I think that is the main thing to sharpening knives, axes, hatchets, even swords. Of course, swords are usually held still & the sharpener moved. I've used sword-sharpening on my Mora knives w/ very good results. But I have 3 DMTs, the Coarse, the Fine, & the Extra-Fine. I bought them mostly for sharpening plane irons but I will use them for knives, too. Keep up the great job, you are really getting good at this. Have a GREAT day, Neighbor!

[@watermain48]

Great instructional video my young friend. Thanks Alex...

[@treffensaintjohnllc2913]

You are amazing! Love your videos.

[@paranoid.rabbit]

very helpful and easy to follow. thank you.

[@Willybrordus]

Absolutely, fantastic ending in this video! Amazing teaching, at least for me! Thanks and greetings from Antwerp!

[@OssusLabs]

I've recently discovered your channel, but it took me no longer than one video to become a sub. Love your almost scientific no-nonsence approach to explaining the why's and how's and that's always backed up with solid evidence like microscopic photos and test runs. That's some quality content over there.

[@arthurj2520]

This video has been very helpful for me. I have that same combo stone and just now sharpened a knife on only the coarse side and stropped with the fuzzy side with 6 micron diamond compound. This I am told is the "saw tooth" edge. I cannot see the edge, but the paper in my wife's pounds of catalouges has great respect for it. I am starting to catch on and I like the medatitive aspects as well. Thanks so much!

[@maxtroy]

What a great tutotial. You're really good at what you do. THank you!

[@Donorcyclist]

Great tutorial! Thank you!

[@user-db4qg9vx8s]

Fantastic video. By far the best

[@aimansyahmidzulkhairy909]

Great video man, got the important details while being very short and concise.

[@211merc]

the best all in one video

[@OverlandOne]

Excellent tutorial, thanks

[@mdakin]

Thanks for the content. Can you make a video about sharpening larger kitchen knives? These are nice but when knife gets larger a lot of things get harder (e.g. maintaining the angle, sharpening the tip of the blade etc)

[@RisenCitizen]

This is a phenomenal how-to video! Well done!

[@yiannidionysiou7412]

You are amazing. Bravo. Very easy to understand you ,Well done ,

[@darren8269]

Excellent video. 👍 I've ordered leather and diamond compound this week. 😀

[@pumix]

I've been following your channel for years Alex - always great content and I've learned a lot, I appreciate the knowledge you share with us

[@donsolberg2540]

You are awesome, thanks for sharing!

[@mikegrok]

For diamond stones when casually sharpening I like the harbor freight diamond sharpener @$12. I like it specifically because it has more than 1 grit (4), and is mounted to a 2x2 box so if you are sharpening free hand you can easily hold it without cutting yourself. The ends come off easily so you can fill it with sand or rocks so that it does not move around when you put it on the table.

[@The_Cholo]

Brother the amount of knowledge you have regarding sharpening these knives is truly impressive. I'm new to edc/knives, last year was my first year in this community and I love it, but I'm still learning how to properly sharpen my knives, I knew I would have to mess up a few before I really got it right, and I'm doing okay now, my blades are sharp and slice paper no problem, but I still feel like theres so much to learn. Keep up with these awesome videos!

[@valkireace]

I remember years ago before you moved shop watching your videos on sharpening having but 10s of whet stones never being able to get a knife sharp. After watcher your first video on sharpening a bought a dmt fine stone and some strop compound and was able to get a knife shaving sharp. Thank you for the content!

[@OUTDOORS55]

Awesome so glad to hear!!

[@Willybrordus]

Thanks man! I learned a lot by watching your videos. Greatings from Antwerp, Belgium!

[@n1ho]

Perfect explanation. Thank you!

[@user-vs5xx2gu5l]

Best knife sharpening tutorial ❤keep more videos coming ❤

[@alessiotraverso9201]

You are my hero!

[@Crazywaffle5150]

This guy has always gave A+ advice on this subject.

[@randomtology2173]

this is awesome! thanks!!

[@philholman8520]

Terrific! Thank you!👍✌️🇬🇧

[@Rp-dc1rg]

You just saved my life man , thanks a lot

[@mikepettengill2706]

Thanks Alex!

[@Doug_Narby]

Dude you are really good at this. No joke. Good camera work, good production, good scripting. I work with a channel that has around 400k subs and you’ve got a lot of things figured out that we’re still working on. I’m impressed as heck and also learned a bunch about something I thought I already understood well (knife sharpening and making a good KZbin channel both).

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thanks, I appreciate the kind words🙏👍

[@girtskarklins9499]

I was using wet stones before but thanx to your videos I can see that technology evolves and I plan to move away from stone soacking rituals and try diamonds :) Have quite some number of knives to work with. Thanx again. Good videos you have!

[@gariongama]

Dad was a fabricator 30 years plus. Use to sharpen his blades to razor sharp on similar stones one handed while watching TV cigarette in his mouth. Was always in awe of his and some other artisans amazing steel craft, seeing videos like these just heightens my respect and amidration for the humble heroes of our world. The people who build it.

[@jimbo2.094]

Thank you. Been looking for a way to sharpen kitchen knives quickly and effectively without buying some crazy gadget.

[@DerRiot]

Thanks for your content :)

[@gee3883]

Great tips, cheers

[@timsim83]

Great video!!! It is the coarse stone that renews the apex of the blade. Seek out the hard creative work, and your mind will stay sharp.

[@mikefriend1134]

You've done something mighty impressive with this - I've watched hours of sharpening videos and still never been able to get an edge shaving sharp. Now I did it in 15 minutes. Thanks for making a short video with accessible materials and simple techniques, that gets impressive and durable results! Now the only problem is I have to for the hair to grow back on my arm...

[@OUTDOORS55]

WOW awesome to hear! Thanks so much for the support, I really appreciate it 🙏🙏🙏

[@kdegraa]

Thanks for this video. I subscribed to this channel a while ago but only recently watched knife sharpening videos. Based on the videos I’ve ordered a Shapton Pro 1000 as a Christmas present for my wife. We have a decent knife set but rarely sharpen them and only with a cheap roller sharpener which from the videos appears to do more harm than good. All of our knives fail the paper cutting test. So there is hope for sharper knives in 2024.

[@numismatric]

Very good info, thanks... ;)

[@horstelvis83]

Thank you for all your videos about sharpening. This improved my sharpening a lot!

[@OUTDOORS55]

Great to hear!

[@nathanjames7030]

This is awesome.

[@johnterhark6516]

Keep up the great videos. 👍

[@JARoot-ic8wy]

Thanks for all your guidance. I thought my technique was solid. This video showed me a couple things to work on. I am able to get an nice edge, but I know I can do better. The best thing I've done for my sharpening is to by a strop (recommended by you). I think I will try the stones from this video now. I am ok with my wet stones, but can do better. Update: I bought the DMT course stone. The first time I ½ arse sharpened a knife on it today very quickly, then lightly stropped. I could shave with it! Can't wait to use it properly! I will get other grits too. Thanks for the recommendation.

[@sahilarora3126]

Thanks budd, ordered Satc and just sharpen first knife. It worked great thanks

[@OUTDOORS55]

Sweet! Love hearing that👍👍

[@unrealcyberfly]

Thanks, this video is really useful! I'm going to try this next time I need to sharpen my kitchen knifes.

[@orestiangr]

Nice content. I enjoy watching your videos!!

[@ME-ys6vl]

Bro, you're a beast! Great content! 👍

[@greenpanda7121]

Fantastic video

[@heni63]

Thanks!❤