When it comes to the versatile tools for every day, a pocket knife’s name is always on the line. No matter what job you do, having a portable knife can be handy! Moreover, these are foldable and very lightweight. These days, pocket knives come with so many types of blades!
But the worst-case scenario has a pocket knife with a dull blade! It won’t help you! So, it is necessary to know how to sharpen a pocket knife and keep it ready!
Here, we will go through a step-by-step process to learn how to keep the knife sharp!
How to Sharpen a Pocket Knife – Step by Step Process
In this world, all we crave is handy tools like pocket knives. And here goes the easy way to sharpen the dull knife and keep it ready to cut!
Step 1: Select the Right Tool
If you are in the knife-sharpening world for years, you already know that several tools can help you in this situation. To learn how to sharpen a pocket knife, we recommend getting your hands on the handheld tools if you are a newbie. These are highly portable and lightweight. On the other hand, you can also get the tools that have many additions to make it fancier and easier.
Here, you have to keep in mind the right angle of the edge for sharpening. The tools will help you keep the angle perfect and sharpen the knife smoothly. If you don’t find it necessary to get a knife sharpening tool, you can also pick up a knife sharpening stone. If you have a dull blade, the best thing you can do is get a stone with coarse-grit and sharpen your knife correctly.
Here is the ultimate buying guide on Sharpener for Pocket Knives
You can go for fine-grit stone too. However, while using stones, keep in mind that not all stones are the same. In some situations, these stones require lubricant. As a lubricant, you might need to use water or mineral oil. The best option is to settle on the tool’s guidelines and use it likewise to get the outstanding outcome.
Step 2: Prepare the Knife
Now that you are done choosing which tool you are going to use for sharpening your pocket knife, you have to deal with the next step.
In this step, you need to make the knife neat and clean to prepare the knife for the following process. Mostly, the pocket knives are not regularly cleaned. As a result, dirt, grime, and grease are common.
All you need to do is clean it properly to sharpen the edges of the blade with perfection. For this procedure, you can use soapy water. At times, blades include nicks. All you need to do is be careful about these while going through the sharpening process.
Step 3: The Ideal Edge Bevel
When you have cleaned the knife with care, you can start sharpening the knife. But before that, the right angle for cleaning the knife is necessary. No matter which knife you use, you will surely see a specific edge angle. All you need to do is find it and go accordingly.
When you plan to sharpen the pocket knife, you have to match the edge bevel or angle to do it. On the other case, you can also settle for re-profiling the pocket knife completely. In most cases, the tools for sharpening are set at 15-20 degrees angles. Mostly, we keep the edge angle of the knife the same.
In this case, you will require the owner’s manual to learn about the right angle. All you have to do is make a note of the angle and set your tool that way. At times, you might love to use sharpening stones to get it right.
If you do so, you should get your hands on a marker and use it along the knife’s edges before you start sharpening the pocket knife. After you go through some sharpening strokes, the ink will get removed, and then, you can be easily able to learn about the right sharpening angle.
Step 4: Start Sharpening
You are ready with the angle and the properly cleaned knife for the process. Now you are free to start the sharpening of your pocket knife. Get your hands on the blade first, and then place it on the sharpening stone carefully.
Now, all you need to do is run it! Go through the whole length of your blade. For certifying this, if you go for a sweeping motion, it will work the best. As you are using a pocket knife, it is not difficult to run the blade’s whole length on the stone.
Yes, the sharpening procedure of different tools is different. However, no matter what you do, the key is to use some abrasive material so that the edges are reshaped once again!
Step 5: Dealing the Grits
If you have checked the sharpening tools, you will surely know that there are differences between the stones’ grits. When you buy a sharpening tool for your pocket knife from the market, usually you will get multiple stones.
These are the handheld portable tools. As there are multiple stones, you can easily get both the coarse-grit and the fine-grit ones. Start the job with the coarse-grit stones.
When the pocket knife is too dull, coarse-grit stones are the savior. After you are done with this one, move to the fine-grits to give the knife a better finish.
Step 6: Hone and Strop
At times, the blade of the pocket knife is not that dull. In that case, honing is the best way to settle for. This will keep the blade sharp and away from being dull. Fine-grit stones are the best option for this.
If you want to be a little more precise, get your hands on the ceramic stones so that the edges are sharper and better! Next, you can strop your pocket knife blade. Here, you will need a leather piece. All you have to do is take the knife blade and keep it on the leather piece’s polishing compound.
By this method, you can provide the blade a final polish. Be careful with the leather, or you can end up cutting it. These are the optional steps, but you can keep the knife sharper for everyday work by maintaining these.
Step 7: The Outcome
When you are done with the whole process of sharpening the blade, you are done! You do not need to go through other steps to make it better. However, different tools will require a different method for the sharpening of your pocket knife.
In the last step, you have to crosscheck the final result after sharpening. Take a piece of paper for it and start cutting the paper. If the knife can cut the paper smoothly, the blade is ready!
If you see that there is tearing or hang-ups in the cuts, you might need to go through the stone once again to make it perfect.
Wrap Up
So, you have already checked the easy steps on how to sharpen a pocket knife. If you own a pocket knife and you regularly use it, this method can be highly beneficial. On the contrary, it is not only for pocket knives, but you can sharpen maximum knives in this process.
If you have liked it, just leave a comment below. How do you sharp your pocket knife? Is there any easy trick for it? Please share with us!
Photo from: Askmen
Additional Resource: All about Knife Sharpening