Why Your Knife Gets Duller When Sharpening

[@chacehawkins4708]

officially titling you "The Internets Go-To Knife Sharpening Tutor". Best sharpening instructions on the web is found right here yall. Believe me...I've looked...for 15 years.

[@RainForestLeDoux]

Agreed

[@Tom-Travels]

Back in 1962, I did a 4H Fair talk on, "How to sharpen a knife." I was 11 years old in the 4th grade. My interest in sharpening knives has never stopped (I'm now 72). Me and my knives have had a great life.

[@crystalr7602]

Wow! Someone who actually clearly explains blade sharpening. VERY IMPRESSIVE! Thanx for the video. It's excellently done and your explanations are crystal clear (no pun intended). Explaining stones a bit too really helps. I've been sharpening for 55 years and you are spot on. Well done! Can't wait to check out your other videos....

[@keith7046]

V

[@keith7046]

Very Impressive. Project farm?

[@danielregan1853]

Do you sharpen professionally?

[@NeevesKnives]

ive been teaching the thumb trick for a couple years now in my sharpening videos glad to see someone else finally do it as ive gotten so many comments asking why they never seen it before i let them know i invented it lol

[@NeverMetTheGuy]

Dutch Bushcraft does this as all.

[@polol1683]

Yes Jared 😁✌👍

[@OUTDOORS55]

Ive had it in numerous vidover the years. I hadnt really seen it anywhere else either. At least its a constant in the community that people can agree on😂 👍👍

[@lindboknifeandtool]

You can also hang the spine on your fingernail and use your knuckles. This helps with longer blades for me. It’s an old knife grinders trick. It’s how you keep your angle when grinding generally. Until you grind the tip of your knuckle off with 36 grit ceramic belts 😂 Bam neeves knives

[@bigdumbanimal23]

I gave up trying to sharpening knives freehand and bought an electric kitchen knife sharpener. Thanks to your video , now I know why I sucked sharpening freehand. I cheaply bought one of those Amazon aluminum oxide multi-grit stone sets and even 3D printed guides to use. Now, thanks to your clear and excellent instruction I will now purchase your recommended diamond stone and try again!

[@THELITTLERIVERNERD]

Watched this video, finally got an edge and immediately cut my finger, so success!

[@Eagleizer]

Tip 5: Sharpen in a quiet place, and you will learn to hear when you are doing it right.

[@ayoubthegreat]

Yeah the sound changes a lot

[@rockguitarshred]

Thank you so much! My blade was getting duller from the cheap whetstones, I watched your video and bought a diamond stone and in one sitting my blade got deadly sharp! I can now enjoy a sharp blade and a passion to learn to be a better sharpener!🗡️

[@originalhazelgreene]

This is what the internet was invented for. Accessing knowledge other people are willing to share. Thanks for the illuminating explanations

[@khakicampbell6640]

One thing I've found that helped me: turning 50! 😅 lol While in my 20's, I always seemed to dull everything. Now miraculously, I can sharpen great! It may have been the 30 years of practice... but I think it was really just seniority that made the difference. ;)

[@ryanleeharrell]

Thanks, man. Im a prep chef who got excited about the knife world recently and your videos have been helpful. I appreciate it.

[@jeremys64]

You are very good at explaining things. I’ve watched a lot of sharpening tutorials, and I think this one is the best.

[@RevPirateDan]

I'm very much a novice (been doing it for years, but still don't feel like I'm yet past "novice") but I will make one suggestion that I find helps: use another colour other than black for the marker. I went to use one, couldn't find the black marker and had to "settle" for bright blue. SO MUCH EASIER TO SEE. I think really ANY colour other than black will help.

[@videogamebomer]

Thanks

[@MALCHIOR1134]

I've been watching your videos for a while now, and I made my own leather strop recently and finally managed to get my kitchen knives shaving sharp! Today I sharpened 5 frequently used knives at my friend's house too. :)

[@KnifeCrazzzzy]

This may be one of the best sharpening videos ever now! I love how easy and concise this is especially for beginners, well done! 👊🏻 I’ve seen dozens and dozens of sharpening videos over the years and the simpler the better for the general population and you nailed it!

[@conradsobczak1104]

concur with your opinion of this sharpening video. Conrad S.

[@beauport]

Absolutely a terrific video of "how to". I've made the mistakes he speaks about and didn't know why my knives were not getting sharp.

[@panicabyss9735]

Very insightful. I cut meat for a living, and I’ve watched your old videos to help out with sharpening my knives. This video is the type I like. I love that you explain too steep vs too shallow. I sometimes have mine too shallow . Thanks for the info. Keep the videos coming!

[@joshb8760]

This might possibly be the best knife Sharpening video I've ever seen , it is perfect in its simplicity . As always thank you

[@user-un5my5bw4j]

Ive been free hand sharpening since I was 10yrs old. It's a skill passed down from father to son that has been going on since my lineage was in Hamburg Germany. I have many many stones for specific purposes and steel types. Your videos are closer to being spot on with what I do and teach than any videos online.

[@Freakmaster480]

Specific stones for specific steels really aren't needed anymore. Diamond abrasives are cheap enough to be a go to for any steel and modern glass or ceramic stones are fine for all but the highest carbide steels. The advancement of technology is great.

[@Healcraft]

@@Freakmaster480 but who sharpens the sharpener??!???????? 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@Scugzerker]

@@Freakmaster480 I've used my ceramic stones on all of my knifes. Most of them (from 1 to 2-day courses) are made of C80 steel, and they sharpen quite fast. However, my homemade knifes are made of 52100 (got about 100 ball bearings for free) and those take much longer to sharpen. Though I suppose it doesn't matter if you use special stones. That steel is really tough and requires a lot of work either way.

[@DrCottes]

I have been trying my hand at sharpening for about a year now and I’ve had the hardest time figuring out what I was doing wrong, because I just COULD not get a paper sharp edge with my cheap wet stones. I could get a sharp edge on my 1000 grit diamond stone, but when I’d go try my hand at the higher grit cheap wet stones, the edge would always end up feeling more dull than before trying them. Your explanation on the stones makes a LOT of sense! In all the video guides I’ve watched, no one has ever mentioned how the stones can round over your edge if you are applying too much pressure. Thats absolutely what I was doing wrong, going to try my hand at it tomorrow!

[@DrCottes]

After two weeks, I wanted to follow up. You are a life saver. By hardly applying any pressure anymore, my knives and woodworking tools are FINALLY sharp. There’s nothing quite like it, so thank you.

[@ncfes]

i have figured out the thumb-rule by mysef. However i also figured out that you should apply a plaster BEFORE the sharpening session, so that you do not need one later on. This avoids bloody fingers :)

[@evaderknives]

I'll tell ya, after years of knifemaking, everything else gets "easier", but sharpening is still my nemesis hahaha... Hope all is well my friend.

[@Heizenberg32]

Using the "rule of thumb", as you call it, has been very effective for me. I used to just eyeball the angle, but I found that the angle I was holding could drift significantly over time without me noticing. 15° vs 20° look almost the same to me at a glance. But that much can be the difference between a quick touch up, and essentially regrinding the edge

[@saintofchelseathomascarlyl5713]

wrong

[@Jake-bt3fc]

@@saintofchelseathomascarlyl5713 elaborate.

[@saintofchelseathomascarlyl5713]

@@Jake-bt3fc this: 5:11

[@kxrsuperstar]

My friend. I can’t thank you enough. My life is always enriched by your videos. I’ve always been discouraged with my sharpening skills. Yet sometimes I can get it razor sharp. I think I have a better understanding now. Thanks. May God’s blessing rest powerfully on you, and your family! I mean it!

[@Hungrybird474]

I ve sharpened 50 or so knives since spring 2022 . It’s early 2023 and I feel my sharpening skills have went through the roof thanks to you and Jared’s vids . Heck yeah . I sharpened that crappy axis lock from Walmart everyone says is a good $6 knife which we all know better . It got nowhere near as sharp as a better done steel .

[@yeagemk]

by far the best breakdown of the nuances of sharpening with stones. I wish I saw this while I was learning because it was incredibly frustrating and disheartening putting so much physical energy into making a dull knife and not knowing why lol!

[@freedom_323]

i'm 60 and this is the first explanation I've seen that covers the angle etc.. THANK YOU!

[@NavajoNinja]

Hey, what about, "how to sharpen everything" series. Hooks, razors, shovels, chainsaw chains, can openers, hand saws, etc. Itd be interesting to see someone sharpening random things that yoube never even tried to sharpen. Just a thought bruh. Awesome video as always. 👍

[@autumn5592]

Pencil sharpeners are a pain in the ass lmao.

[@The_18th_Fret]

This is the best whetstone sharpening video I've seen. Nobody explains the intricacies and importance of angles this clearly. I just ordered the SHARPAL 162N Double-sided Diamond Sharpening Stone thanks to your review and hope it will be a good sharpening companion for many years to come. Loving the channel and all the knife wisdom

[@Gman1024]

I've been watching your sharpening videos for four or five years now and always find these informative, even though I haven't really started sharpening yet. Really fascinating to me. Thanks for another goodie.

[@agentcovert]

Another great subject video..the diamond plates made in Japan..Atoma are in my opinion even better and seem to be of higher quality with very similar prices as DMT plates.. maybe we can see a Pepsi vs Coke challenge? Miss the house content although always welcome your blade content as well..Cheers..

[@rafajaworski6530]

My thumb got sharper 😑

[@sibylle_p]

😂

[@zacharysherry2910]

Hahahaha

[@Daboulty95]

Lol i love it 😂

[@johnduffy6546]

I liked your "rule of thumb" trick. I've been sharpening knives for over a half century and your tip is a good reference for newbies trying to learn the skill... thank you

[@jamesbarisitz4794]

Well written and clearly presented. The photography just keeps getting better. This will help lots of people get better results.

[@W.Y.W.H.40]

I would like to thank you for all of your instructions and videos on how to sharpen knives the right way. There are so many people that claim they can do this, but can't! I am always looking and learning new ways and techniques that improve my skills at sharpening. I love to learn and both my dad and my grandfather taught me how to sharpen knives the right way. Thank you so much for sharing your videos.

[@mssixty3426]

I lucked out, this is the first video I watched on this subject and it has the detail I needed, with explanations and visuals to clarify everything. Many thanks! Now on to the next one about burrs. . ... Oh, and I subscribed and liked☺️

[@1diggers1]

I totally round it trying to get the knife tip. Thanks for the advice.

[@twatmunro]

Solid tip. I sharpen on whetstones and I get good sharp edges, but I know I'm getting wobble in there. That thumb tip looks really helpful. I like to use the light to find my angle. When the shadow disappears, I know I'm at the right angle for the apex.

[@ZXLMaster]

From a really dull blade, I have 5 grades of Diamond stones, which range from 250 grit up to 4000 grit. Then there is leather with green compound, 50,000 grit, followed by stiff leather. My edges are a 12° to 17° bevel and are scary sharp.

[@himssendol6512]

I have that exact 1000/6000 stone. Sharpening wise, it sharpens just fine. What i don’t like about this stone is you end up with a lot of sludge like end waste to wash off.

[@kennethbezanson4266]

You always do such a great job explaining and demonstrating knife sharpening!

[@matthewbarnes7029]

Very good work sir! The detail, quality and clarity of your demonstration is top notch. I would highly recommend this video to any of my colleagues from beginners to seasoned veterans interested in knife sharpening.

[@a1038954]

The close ups are incredibly helpful to your cause.

[@zaphirshamma9531]

I have recently started getting into knife sharpening. You are my favorite guy to watch on KZbin. I bought the Spyderco ceramic stone after watching your video and have been happy.

[@jimmiedisherjr1536]

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking all the mystery out of free hand sharpening.❤❤❤

[@patrickrobinson2520]

This is one of your better videos. I really liked the extra details you used to explain each process in full. Great info.

[@victorfranca85]

The vids are tops. Channels like this are the reason i dont make sharpening videos. Understanding edge geometry is no intuitive. For beginners tho, having an almost flat angle is best. There is almost no way to mess it up. It takes longer but you will know that angle. With acute angles, I just hit the abrasive with one hand and arm weight pressure. I also find the crescent technique difficult for new comers. Its best to do it in section imo, until you understand edge geometry and its relation to sharpness. I prefer a convex edge but the very apex needs to be a triangle, even if you cant see it with the naked eye.

[@barrybaldwin5535]

I always enjoy your content, partly because you speak in simple, understandable language. I'm 73 & I've been an avid collector, user & maintainer of many different types of cutlery. I've made some of these mistakes in my younger life, but have refined my skills over the decades by, not only sharpening my extensive collection, but that of my family, relatives & friends. I derive great satisfaction from correctly bringing a blade to "hair popping" sharpness. Please continue your excellent content. It will benefit future generations of new inductees to the skill.

[@markoneill1768]

Finally, a proper tutorial on this subject. Thank you

[@kasuraga]

Just got a cheapish set of diamond plates to sharpen some kitchen knives for the first time. Your reference images of what not to do was helpful. I made sure to have a good light so I could periodically check my edge to see if I was maintaining a consistent angle. Knives feel amazing even after a short bit of time. Was able to even work out the little chips my kitchen knife had from years of abuse.

[@Keith80027]

I can do 15 degree knives well, but my 8 degrees knife is another animal for me. I decided to buy a TSPROF K03 a number of years ago and love it.

[@RainForestLeDoux]

Buying a strop ( or making one out of the leather you recommended actually) with some co pound made a huge difference for me. I never ised one before. And man oh man... now i see the importance

[@citizenVader]

You should do a video on how to fix your stones, if you haven't done that? It's quite easy, especially when using a marker, just on the stones instead of a knife. I use a old and thick glass shelf from a fridge and sandpaper to even a stone, but there's a lot of other methods out there.

[@shonawilson8040]

I have been watching sharpening videos for a while now and as a novice this one is fantastic! It makes me think I could actually freehand.

[@DAVIDMILLER-nc9vo]

This is one of the best videos on sharpening that I have ever seen! I have seen so many KZbin videos on sharpening that my head was spinning. I have three of the best books on sharpening, the ones authored by Leonard Lee, Ron Hock, and Thomas Lie-Nielsen. This video is in the same class. Thanks for the great video!

[@Rotzausmhals]

Baught this stones straight from my Beginns how to shapening my knifes. AT first, I was verpasst frustrated but I get More and More Feeling how to handle it. Keep moving on, whatever stone you Use. For me, sharpening my "Messer" is the best Meditation. Cheers from Germany

[@MrFookface]

Explained by an expert so well that this dummy learned and understood! Thank you from England

[@markfromearth4]

For anyone viewing this video in 2024, note that he is recommending the SHARPAL 162n stone now. Its cheaper than the one recommended in this older video, and comes with awesome stand and case.

[@jamestyrer6067]

Thanks for the information. Black marking the apex so you can get the manufacturer angle correct is a great idea

[@markgilmour5757]

Thank you for posting another great vid. With you video's and burrfection I have got shaving sharp, but not quite razor sharp. Now I think I understand why.

[@dethcookie]

I really didn’t know much about sharpening knives before I needed to for my EDC, but seriously man, your content is amazing. I said I’d be watching all your uploads in another videos comments, and I am. They do not disappoint. I know I’m going backwards in viewing, but keep up the amazing job.

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thank you I really appreciate the comment and view support!!🙏

[@lindboknifeandtool]

The biggest game changer for me was locking my wrists, and gliding my hips to sharpen. This creates an almost machine like precision. You can also get a range of diamond compounds from venev (0.5u-40/60u) for like $15.

[@bigDbigDbigD]

I received my first Diamond stone last week. Wow!

[@Alex_Vir]

I love that you gave some numbers for an angle, even if I will never sharpen a knife.

[@RainForestLeDoux]

I ordered the stone and leather you recommended. I got some oitment for the strop.... needless to say. Even on my first couple attempts, i got my knoves very fucking sharp. My wife was wondering why i was always watching your videos. I told her if im honna sharpen our knives, i want to know what im doing... now her friends want me to sharpen their knives... ive only sharpened 5 knives so far, but am doing pretty paper cutting good :) Its not that hard after learning the specifics from your videos. Youre the best. Thanks for linking things and teaching us all about the knife sharpening on this level.. god bless yah ! 🙏

[@gregoryrichardson4707]

Just tried this on one I was having this problem with, made a YUGE difference thanks!

[@jeremynedrow7003]

Great video and explanation of sharpening and correct form.

[@davidguymon1673]

I like how you play Celtic music in the background.

[@jordanreese2513]

Honestly this was incredibly helpful especially the last tip I’ve been meaning to sharpen up my Microtech MSI but I wanted to keep the angle it already has bit of a chunkier angle than I’ve been used to dealing with

[@RolandsDad]

I've struggled with freehand sharpening, and still do, but your videos have helped even with my current set up. I use a guided system by Worksharp and I love it. I don't have cheap knives and I always felt disappointment when I couldn't sharpen them remotely close to factory edge, nor where they could really even be. Now I can sit down and walk away with shaving sharp knives when I never could before, and a lot of what I've learned to even use that guided system with came from your videos. I really appreciate it. How's that renovation coming along? I thought that was a cool side vid.

[@olivermilutinovic749]

One of the best sharpening videos. This helped me get a razor edge on a 'problem' pocket knife.

[@completehearing6181]

Great tutorial! I've learned more from your sharpening videos than any other instruction to date. Mostly explaining what I'm doing wrong. I purchased an al-oxide set and you are correct they are a pain for beginners. I since switched to the Victorianox rod sharpener and it does a better job but my technique is all over the map with that thing. My 2 biggest questions are 1) How do you determine what a knife needs? - for example does it need honing (straightening of edge)? Does it simply need the bur removed or does it need a full on resharpening of the edge? I would think this would greatly effect how you approach the sharpening process or do you just apply the same technique every time? 2) Is there a secret for maintaining a consistent angle. You've prob been asked this a 1000 times but I find it very frustrating with all these knives with micro bevels feeling where that angle should be and this is exacerbated when I switch sides. Perhaps this is just feel and practice but any pro tips would be greatly appreciated. All the best. PS: there is nothing wrong with taking a kickback for directing customers to the right product. Your advice on what type of stone to use is worth a lot!

[@hrdaniie]

Great, I bought one of those sharpening stone sets on Amazon, exactly the ones you said will be frustrating to learn on. I felt so pro getting this, but the knive ended up being duller than before, just like you said. It was better when I used to sharpen it on the underside of a cup haha. Learning to sharpen knives will be my new hobby now I guess, but thanks to your videos I'm sure I'll get better. I have to, because dull knives drive me nuts! Anyways, really great videos, thank you!

[@philipmccann2358]

This is the most educational knife sharpening vid I’ve ever seen !

[@AnubisDaJackal]

I self taught many many years ago on the cheap whetstones, didn't know any better at the time. Took me loooong time to figure out and understand how to get a sharp enough edge to shave with too.

[@jasoneyre3424]

“Rule of thumb” brilliant! Thank you

[@johnjperricone7856]

Very helpful tutorial. Extremely detailed and really showed me what I was doing wrong.

[@Haplo-san]

I have used tips in this video and my thumb is razor-sharp!

[@timothym2241]

Best beginner sharpening video I’ve ever seen. Nice clear demonstrations.

[@CaptLRay]

Thanks for the informative video. My problem usually arises on the other side of the knife. I wish you would make a video showing how to properly handle the knife when you flip it over to hone the other side. I find it very awkward.

[@drtyhrmt]

Those Milwaukee markers are the best for coloring in bevels! Sharpies suck as soon as the blade gets wet from the stone but those Milwaukee markers have no issues on any surface

[@Nomad_joey]

Hands down best sharpening video I've watched. And i watched over 40 videos!

[@Hikey711]

I watched your video on sharpening a knife with a brick and that’s all I have, and my dads wet stone. Thank you for the tips. I hope I can get better at sharpening.

[@JhericFury]

I am very very new to freehand sharpening, and I tried your rule of thumb, it really worked for the edge (massive thank you for the tip) but the ~200-grit sharpened my thumb as well as the blade. Do you just hover the thumb over the stone, have you built up callouses or are you using a finer grit?

[@HafizurRahman-mw8bp]

You are simply brilliant in tutoring. Finally I understood. Thank-you

[@ABDZD]

You are a great teacher. Thank you for these videos.

[@joshassad4664]

Alex, thank you SO MUCH for these knife sharpening videos. This one in particular solved the remaining questions/issues I've had when trying to sharpen free-hand. Thanks to your help I picked out some diamond blocks and a hone and now every knife in the house is slicing-paper sharp!😊

[@OUTDOORS55]

Awesome! Glad I could help! Thanks for watching I really appreciate it🙏👊

[@v3ldr1nn]

I've been watching your videos for a few years now, always interesting and clear, keep up the awesome work

[@robertfelts8773]

This is a pretty good video. I'm a cook for a living. Sharpening is a skill few have today and many seek but give up from some exact reasons you show here

[@pocoboo]

Finally, practical easy way to learn. Love the do's and examples of the don'ts.

[@terrancetyrell6797]

An addendum to this is to know if your knife has a single or double edge. The Santoku knife in the video is supposed to have a single edge on the right hand side. A number of my cooking knives were screwed up by a certain someone who thought they knew what they were doing. Good tips (thumb)!

[@carldawson1]

Generally, Santoku's have two bevels, and that would seem to be true for the one in the video made by a Western brand. It's not a usuba. Though with harder steel and that knife profile one might use a steeper angle on the "back" side of the knife (the left in your right-handed example). I'd expect the Farberware one shown in the video is not a 'specialty' Santoku and mirrors Western bevelling. I'd also be surprised if it was harder than your usual German knife steel (nothing against Farberware, but they certainly lean towards Western knife styles). Though yeah....Very agreed, don't let people sharpen your knives unless you trust them a lot. Unless they take the care to angle-match in general they might alter your blade and how it cuts/indexes significantly (so like, my chef's knife I put a steeper angle on the left hand edge, if I gave that to someone and they removed it I'd be as annoyed as you!)

[@totalassuage]

I used to be great at sharpening knives like 24 years ago, but now Ive noticed that I have lost some of my edge.... thanks to this video I now remembered that I used to twist my entire torso when sharpening knifes!

[@bransonbasher6534]

I've watched a lot of sharpening videos, this is one of the best.

[@Shareef2610]

والله تسلم كلام مهم وشكرا على المعلومات المهمة. شكرا على جهودك

[@CPT_IDOL]

Excellent valuable information! Even though this video is a year old… It is even more relevant today as restaurants priced themselves out of the market, and we are all cooking more and more at home… These skills are essential! Thank YOU! 👍🏼😎👍🏼

[@jimjr4432]

Wow, I thought I knew, but now I know it didn't and now I do!. Thanks so much.

[@davidtritsch4532]

You do a great job of teaching by utilizing your verbal instruction with demonstrations. Thank you.

[@shadyeskimo]

Im a japanese synthetic whetstones kind of guy, but I have always watched, Liked and shared your vids, because sharpening isnt japanese, but a human skill that helped propell our species into space :D Love your non japanese take on sharpening, and your results are awesome, and thanks for hours of entertainment.

[@bulletproofpepper2]

Unfortunately I shared your video with a friend at work. At lunch time I was look through my saved videos. I had an old diamond plate in my glovebox, I also had a roll of toolbox liner so I setup a make shift sharping for him and sent home with it. The unfortunate part was he shaped everything he could get his hands on. One of his kids grabbed a freshly sharpened kitchen knife. The knife slipped out of the kid’s hand and he tried to catch it. Keep scary sharp knives away for kids. Thanks for sharing.

[@Gambsmoore]

Excellent job man. I can tell a lot of time and effort went into this.

[@KopWerSov]

Wow, in first minute you answered something i have been strugling to identify, cause i can do shaving edge on diamond stone but cant seem to be able to do the same on compound, especially softer, i guess i just use too much pressure