Updated Bench Knife Sharpening

I like to keep you up to date on developments where I might change my point of view on things through time and testing.

A simple tool I ave come to rely on more on more, especially at the bench, is my diamond hone. I use it almost every day now for sharpening tools including even saws and especially do I like it for knives as well  my other refining endeavours. It's relatively inexpensive, versatile and achieves excellent results on my bench knives. Whereas in times past I always simply touched up my layout knives freehand on bench and diamond stones, and I did this for decades, I found that the blades did tend to lose the kind of refinement a new blade gives with its pristine cutting edge and shallow bevel from the makers. A blog I wrote a year or more ago told of blades that could be had at a fraction of the cost of Stanley blades might seem to be the answer, but, as you will know of me, I try not to advocate throwaway blades of any kind. It's also quicker to sharpen knives using my system than changing the blade out. Anyway, though the Stanley knife I advocate is indeed a knife designed for throwaway blades, I recommend them because the are the best knives I have come to rely on and you don't kneed to throw away the blades at all, just treat them like any other pocket knife and simply sharpen them.

Today my system is even simpler than ever. Keep a block of wood marked as shown with a line squared across at 30mm (1 1/4").

Lock the block in the vise with the line aligned with the benchtop. This ensures the bevel is evenly bevelled.

Line the cutting edge up the edge of the block and use the benchtop to reference the handle of the paddle to.

Use circular motions to hone one bevel and flip over for the other.

One paddle, the medium, is usually enough sharpness, but of you want even sharper use a second grade such as the fine.

I made a video on the knife sharpening system I developed for speed and efficiency and many of you watched and enjoyed but in case you missed it go here. For those who want to follow my original article go here.