How to Use a Sharpening Stone | Knives

Full Playlist: • What You Need to Know ...
-
-
Full Playlist: • Howcast Food & Drink
-
-
Watch more What You Need to Know About Knives videos: www.howcast.com/videos/497077-...
Learn how to use a sharpening stone in this Howcast video with expert Dan Delavan.
Hi. My name is Dan Delavan. I am the Owner/Operator of Plaza Cutlery in Costa Mesa, CA. We have a great selection. We also have a website; plazacutlery.com. Today we are going to be talking about knives.
A sharpening stone is a stone that has got a coarse side and usually a finer side, and that is going to take and re-shape your edge and get it back down thin enough in order to sharpen it. You are basically taking something that is blunt and thinning it back down. You have to remove all of this extra metal and get it back down to where it is thin enough to cut. Very simply, all a knife is is a very thin piece of steel to split whatever you are cutting. If the knife is obviously thicker, it is like trying to cut something with a chisel; it is not going to happen.
There are two stones. There is the India and there is the crystolon. Once you feel them, obviously the difference is coarseness. The one thing about the India stone, it is a harder stone and the brown is the finer side, you have to use oil with it. You cannot use it dry, so therefore it is messy.
The coarse stone will cut the metal off quicker but it is going to give you a rougher edge but that way the job gets done quicker, without the oil. It is not as messy. This is just a real simple set up. If you do wood work you can make a little wooden box and rout it out. In this particular case it is just a 2x4, stone traced out, finishing nails tapped down so they are deeper than the stone so when you drop the stone in, if you are at a workbench you can C-clamp it down in place or you can hold on to it.
So you are going to start at the heel and you are going to time it so that it goes all the way across. You go from one side to the other. You also want to make sure that your stone, I am not going to use as much pressure as I normally would because I cannot mount it on this showcase, you want to alternate from side to side to keep your bevel centered. Some people will take and do three times on one side and then three times on the other, the problem is that your backhand is never as good as your forehand and you end up cheating and you are going to end up with a blade that is offset. That is going to take it and thin down, you are going to get a thin bevel right on the edge. Once you get that V established, you can go from the coarser side to the finer side.
It is the same thing; you want to alternate from one side to the other. Just keep working it until it smooths out. Usually it does not take quite as long on this side because you are just smoothing it out. As you go through the finer stones, if you just choose to do that you are just polishing.
The other question is angle; how do I know what angle to use? It is a real simple guide. If you can imagine this was a big cube of butter and you know how it goes bad? You are just going to filet the top of it off. Again, there are people that do it other ways that work for them great. This is a tried, true simple way of doing it.

[@sKarmA115]

I'll take "places I wouldn't want to be when a tornado hits" for $500, Alex

[@ilive4livemusic]

@Tommy H That’s one of the funniest comments I have ever read in You Tube. Well played

[@anthonychihuahua]

😆🤣🤣 Hilarious!!

[@abelincoln196]

So imagine a man. He stands next to a fence. He had a camera, would you touch it?

[@hazesativa8641]

🤣🤣🤣

[@sKarmA115]

@@abelincoln196 only THROUGH the fence

[@sense321]

2:54 that butter analogy was a game changer for me.

[@mako8091]

Imma try this after a get a diamond stone.

[@kalvincarld]

I don't use butter. What angle would that roughly be?

[@Pebble_Collector]

I've never had my butter go bad.

[@chloewright1]

@Howcast I've watched so many videos on how to "properly" sharpen knives, but they all give different advice. In the end, I resorted to just guessing and doing it myself, but I could never get it just right. After deciding to give KZbin another go, I came across your video first, and I didn't need to watch any more. I wish I'd have found this tutorial years ago - it would have saved me so much time, effort and money! Thank you so much for your very helpful, informative, quick and easy demonstration.

[@VUclear]

The 'picket fence' of nails is a great ideal. Simple. Easy to understand. The illustration of blade edge shape is a clear explanation. Wonderful video.

[@blancaw6280]

Thanks I need to get all my knives razor sharp. Thanksgiving is coming and my sister-in-law will be making another bone dry turkey. If I can’t get the cutlery sharp enough I will have to use a fire ax again this year to slice through.

[@samtoucan1346]

You can also buy sharpening gadgets that have a stone enclosed in it. You then slide the knife through it. Much easier than this

[@robotbeatrally3328]

If only everyone realized that putting a turkey in a brine of salt water (and whatever herbs or juice you happen to have extra/handy) is all you need to do to get a delicious moist turkey. Everyone marinades their beef... why do they not marinade their birds!

[@domenik8339]

.

[@blancaw6280]

Domenik Eyraud A hatchet or a chainsaw may be required. LOL

[@cor315]

Also garlic butter under the skin!

[@vstarbiker]

I've been through about a dozen "How To" videos here. 1st one I've seen the technique is same one I've been taught, and read in phamplets comes with knives I've bought. All the rest are showing the back & forth method, the circular method, the heel to tip then tip to heel, all sorts of weird methods. I am 61, been sharpening knives, machetes, hoes & axes since I was a teen. Always sharpen as if trying to cut a thin slice off the stone. Razor sharp! Good vid, start hard strokes, finish light.

[@amstorm1633]

Your how to use a sharpening stone method indeed seems very effective. Thank you so much.

[@jimjimmyjames59]

This is the best sharpening video I've seen so far. Simple. Direct.

[@GQ3MindSpeaks]

I’m so glad I found this video. Just about everyone else has long videos and talk about all other accessories to sharpen with a stone!

[@DJBRUCEK1]

EXCELLENT!! I learned more in your short video than I thought I knew all these years; just goes to show you that you can always learn something new!! I liked your stone holder as well; very ingenious!! keep the good tips (no pun intended) coming...

[@j.r.8176]

Oh we'll keep our tips coming for sure bud

[@shanestuart-ramirez429]

Great instructional video explaining one style to sharpen and giving the rationale on why he sharpened a certain way. Thanks again!

[@donlessnau3983]

Excellent vid. Thanks for taking the time. Your method works like a charm. Well done.

[@shadyeskimo]

So what is your preffered way to remove the burr after sharpening both sides?

[@PoeticBabble]

Maybe pull it across a strop?

[@vivekrai5963]

Thanks for the uncomplicated demonstration.... a nice and neat job!

[@kurtcobain2632]

Don't let the tip flick off at the end of the swipe like that, shortens the tip,as well as thinins the tip. As you swipe, lift up and away as you continue forward as if the stone was longer. Continue the motion all the way through, do not come off the stone, but let the stone run out rather. Become the stone my friend, and mate the knife. 🙏

[@edisonduque9496]

Thank you Mr Dan. You have explained it quite simple, twice good.

[@nep2k4u69]

Thanks a lot. Your method is really simple and easy to learn. Keep up the good work 👍👍👍👍

[@zoecant2167]

thank you for making this! my dad let me borrow his sharpening block and told me to look up how to do it properly. so a second thank you for saving me the silly lecture from not only my dad, but my best friend as well :)

[@figlermaert]

I love the simple mount on the wooden block!!

[@scottyj6226]

the butter method for setting the angle. I LOVE IT!!!

[@TheClawair]

this guy looks like the governor from the Walking Dead in his later years... LOL

[@thesimpsonslover6717]

LOL, true. with good knife I suppose : amzn.to/1qvCryl

[@heatherdrury301]

Luke Mazur yes!!!!

[@theonlyalphawolf6886]

Luke Mazur guess he knows what to be for holloween

[@WILLYLYNCH.]

Nope

[@deathuponusalll]

Luke Mazur lmaoooo

[@sharkdavid]

The knife on the stone is such a satisfying sound *_*

[@diggernick901]

The butter mind trick is super cool. Loved it.

[@TonyDovahkiin]

very helpful video. thank you. i ordered a sharpening stone which came today, with this video i will know how to sharpen my knife the right way.

[@b-radg916]

This is one way, but you can find MUCH better methods on KZbin.

[@roriohara5564]

Thanks, this was the best demo I've seen. Simple & fast. One-to-one strokes to keep it even. Makes sense to me.

[@sourbrothers73]

It's definitely a _feel_ thing, too.

[@Competitive_Antagonist]

So you go from blade edge to top edge. I guess the other way would just make it blunt. I got the right direction when I used a stone recently, but didn't have the right technique shown here.

[@tictaktotiki]

awesome video for beginners. from an obvious professional. i especially found the way of setting the stone inside the nails really useful.thank you.

[@loudsilencet]

This is the BEST whetstone tutorial I've seen.

[@bxf99999]

Nicely informative and very pleasantly presented. Thanks.

[@thebaconsonful]

Thank you. This vid was great, accurate, short and to the point.

[@cavino82]

"You can imagine this is a big cube of butter. And you know how it goes bad." Um, no, wtf are you talking about?

[@SmashCrunch]

Unsalted butter goes bad relatively quick

[@laurenmiller9517]

Lol right?!

[@theninja001]

And this still says nothing about the angle needed lol, I would cut the butter flat......

[@MRavens2008]

😂😂😂

[@samsung-ux7eh]

When it goes bad it goes dark yellow and hard on the top when air gets to it. If you use real butter from blocks to butter toast you will see lol

[@txhypnotist]

Great instructional video. Simple is good! Thanks for posting.

[@dandelavan2458]

Up to you on running the tip off the side of the stone. If your motion is correct it just comes off. I do it both ways but try to keep it simple for people who are just learning as they have trouble getting the motion down. One long slice seems to work the easiest as most people seem to let up in the middle of the blade which leads to their knife getting out of shape and only half of it sharp. There are so many ways to sharpen, but hopefully this gets you started and not afraid of it! Hope to redo the video this summer.

[@anthonyeagleelk3593]

Great vid thank you, I have that ssame stone and it worked out amazing! Only like 10 strokes a side and bam!

[@USMC_BABE38]

Thank you this is so helpful for someone who has never sharpened an knife before

[@gramps2matt]

I'm 54 years old and this is th first time in my life I've seen a great explanation on knife sharpening using both stone and steel (earlier vid by this same guy). Now to drag out Grandpa's carving knife which I inheirited, sharpen it the right way on the stone and do the Thanksgiving Turkey carving the RIGHT way this year.

[@nathanaelfertich801]

well you are 63 now

[@stevedawson741]

Now you are 63

[@bigwoody4704]

Couple of math majors 😁

[@Leo-pz5ge]

​@@nathanaelfertich801 65 now.

[@johnedwards9001]

This clears some things up, thanks.

[@jettopcdo8326]

You're watching this video because your knife can't cut even a small onion.

[@nicscott4767]

Nah just want a really sharp knife

[@Berserker3624]

I’m watching this video so that my already sharp knife cuts really really well

[@coldenhaulfield5998]

Thank you for the clear instructions and demo.

[@Laszlomtl]

A good honest and straight forward demonstration...Bravo! Laszlo Montreal

[@richardderr3020]

Good video short and sweet and it works. I use a 1000 and 6000 grit wet stone. About 5 minutes and I’m done. About 10 passes on each grit.

[@CarlywithaY90]

Great, easy to follow instructions. Thanks!

[@trothasauras327]

I really liked the butter analogy for angle and how to do!!!!

[@jaket.6056]

Great video!, Short, simple, and to the point. thanks for the info

[@gmason5277]

Thanks for this. Life skills!

[@Schmoityface]

Excellent instruction, very helpful.

[@Pipesandstooges]

Very helpful thanks very much!

[@mattwarrensocal]

A sharpening video under 30 min! Thanks

[@vishnudas9476]

Wow this works.. i used a cheap carborundum stone. This video made sharpening very simple.. just use good technique no need to fuzz about the angles.

[@JustAGhost-bn7kx]

Great little video. Thanks for the help!

[@YouCheekyMinx69]

Very helpful and informative!

[@vdromuzaraki]

Thank you, it worked like a charm to me.

[@bleachiniac]

gotta try this method! thx 4 your sharing!!♡♡

[@ZAWARUD00]

Thank you from France, guy!

[@Betterthantelly]

What an excellent lesson thank you.

[@neeskylar4159]

Thank you, simple and done!

[@odietamo9376]

Clear and helpful. Thank you!

[@The1985zFinest]

Hell yeah. Awesome video. If im ever in costa mesa i will stop by his shop

[@XMrCuervo]

Just the sound of that knife going across the stone lol.. amazing 😁

[@burentamircake4393]

Thank you for teaching

[@darkbyte2005]

brilliant thank you., I was also wondering what angle I should use to sharpen on stone..

[@artfan101]

thanks for this helpful and useful video!

[@stevenspaulding5300]

Great video man👍 bringing back all my knives, my machete is the sharpest it’s ever been! I didn’t go with the nails n don’t recommend anybody without a steady hand to sharpen it like I did😂 by hand but it works great even by hand thanks👍

[@sherie_violet2008]

Now this is helpful for my Tle subject❤️❤️

[@christopherbriscoe9765]

Thanks for the tutorial !

[@kevinarnott1172]

Thanks for info! From UK

[@coreymasoy7034]

Great video, thanks for sharing tips 😁

[@Schmoityface]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@ravells]

Thanks Dan! Recently moved into a temporary flat where the knives were so blunt they were dangerous. Fortunately the landlord had an India stone, but they had used it wrongly (I believe) and ruined the edges on the knives, there were scratches all over the blades. I used your method with the India stone (I used water rather than oil) and manufactured a sharpening block holder with a tupperware lid, sugru and non-slip rubber I found in a kitchen shop. The edges came up a treat! Many thanks again for your guidance! The tip about imagining cutting off a slice of butter to get the angle right is a brilliant one. I use a worksharp knife grinder at home which gives outstanding results, but it's great to be able to do it the old fashioned way too!

[@alexhumphrey2824]

Ravi Shankar Oh ok, I was going to ask if you could use water instead of oil but Never mind. Sweet! I'll be using this in the future. One question though, when you used the water, I have seen things where it says to soak the stone, or do you just apply some to the surface?

[@iamjello7]

Where the hell do you live that kitchens come with utensils?

[@ToddFreese]

Great video, very helpful!

[@marcuswelby2777]

Like your video dan !! 👍 I like the way you sharpen and I can hear that its sharp !!

[@outloud_overthinking]

That was on point, thx. Like the country at the background too :D

[@minkoil00]

I don't know man they have told me my back hand is real strong.

[@Raised_by_God]

thank you, excellent details....

[@easyrecipes4780]

Thank you!

[@briandalton3180]

Very informative, thank you sir. *peace*

[@nicolasbsmith78]

thanks for the help.

[@mikerollins7151]

Thanks for the video Sir

[@truongbaoanh4049]

thanks....this helps a lot

[@davidmcdowell6338]

Very helpful

[@FPSBadassx]

he explained it so well

[@hossv1147]

Why, that looks simple enough.... Thank you.

[@iyeetpaste3797]

OK. So. I followed the instructions meticulously and because I did I was able to give my knife a +7 crit level and was able to slay the elder wolves of Razorleaf Den. Thank you!!!

[@BROTHERoftheBRIAR]

will try the technique

[@KnifeIndiadotcom]

Thanks for sharing this informative video. Sharpening stones are the best to sharpen any knives except for the serrated knives which doesn't gets sharpened using these sharpening stones.

[@Perennial777]

Very helpful thank you

[@Wardcreek]

This guy is the Dr!

[@rileygomez3829]

nice and crunchy

[@kyronlazarus9029]

I miss you guys!!

[@darrenflynn1564]

Thank u. Great video

[@maryhyatt1585]

Thank for the info

[@Caozman2k]

Good stuff. Thanks.

[@MythGavin]

Look behind him. I think he knows what he's doing.

[@johntrembolo5183]

Thanks a lot, sir.

[@markwoldin162]

Job well done.

[@DG_Fabrication]

Thanks great video

[@theblocksharpener]

Great video to learn how to sharpen knives with a stone, something every one should know. Stay sharp Block sharpener

[@turog6708]

videos that are to the point !

[@01195901]

very helpful.

[@yessno8800]

This is so satisfying lol

[@gypsygirl731]

I’ve heard 5-8# pressure and one can put the knife on a scale and press down 5# to see the pressure for your hand to press down. So I use #5 pressure when sliding it as I sharpen knives weekly. If it was a year then I’d have to make a new edge for sure using 7-8#

[@NikNickNic]

Thank you for the instruction. I have one question, the stone, -not the indian one that requires oil but the other one that was used- doesn't it require to be soaked in water first? Thank you and best wishes.

[@dohickey7184]

That's a waterstone which is designed to be used in running water, a whetstone is supposed tk be used while it's as dry as possible

[@whengrapespop5728]

DoHickey A whetstone is supposed to be submerged in water 10-20 minutes before used, then splashed with water on top every now and then to keep it wet.

[@glenntroester4152]

My wife sharpened knives at a meat processing plant. She says never sharpen anything on a dry stone.

[@rogerivy2919]

good question i have about 4 stones, and still struggling to find out if i should use water or not! many here on u tube use them dry.....im confused, im in UK.

[@dr.jillalicecooper2587]

@@rogerivy2919 So just try the stone wet and dry and find what works better for you.