{"id":68,"date":"2026-11-03T17:02:23","date_gmt":"2026-11-03T10:02:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/woocommerce.ltheme.com\/lt-whet\/sharpening-guide\/"},"modified":"2026-11-03T17:02:23","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T10:02:23","slug":"sharpening-guide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/woocommerce.ltheme.com\/lt-whet\/sharpening-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"The sharpening guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n

The sharpening guide<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grit, angle and care, explained<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

The grit scale, angles per knife, the six steps, stone care, steel types and the mail-in service. Keep it open beside the stones.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

Grit guide<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coarse to polish, step by step<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Grit numbers measure how fine the abrasive is. Start only as coarse as the edge needs, then work up the scale.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

Coarse<\/a><\/strong> 120\u2013400<\/p>\n\n\n\n

120<\/span>220<\/span>400<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Medium<\/a><\/strong> 800\u20131500<\/p>\n\n\n\n

800<\/span>1000<\/span>1500<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Fine<\/a><\/strong> 2000\u20134000<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2000<\/span>3000<\/span>4000<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Polish<\/a><\/strong> 6000\u20138000<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6000<\/span>8000<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
Stage<\/th>Grit<\/th>What it does<\/th>When to use it<\/th>Soak (sample)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Coarse<\/strong><\/td>120\u2013400<\/td>Removes steel fast, reshapes the bevel, takes out chips<\/td>A damaged tip, chips, a very dull edge<\/td>10\u201315 min<\/td><\/tr>
Medium<\/strong><\/td>800\u20131500<\/td>Sets a clean edge and removes coarse scratches<\/td>Regular sharpening, every few weeks<\/td>10 min<\/td><\/tr>
Fine<\/strong><\/td>2000\u20134000<\/td>Refines the edge for smoother, cleaner cuts<\/td>After the medium stone<\/td>Splash<\/td><\/tr>
Polish<\/strong><\/td>6000\u20138000<\/td>Polishes the bevel to a bright finish<\/td>Slicers, single-bevel knives, razors<\/td>Splash<\/td><\/tr>
Strop<\/strong><\/td>Compound<\/td>Removes the last burr and aligns the edge<\/td>After every session and between them<\/td>Dry<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
Sample guide. Grit scales differ between makers; check each stone’s own rating.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
Open the sharpening guide<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

Angle guide<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The right angle for each knife<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The angle is measured per side, between the blade and the stone. Lower angles cut more finely; higher angles last longer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"Line<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n

Chef's knife<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

15\u201320\u00b0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

A good all-round angle for a Western-style kitchen knife.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Line<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n

Santoku<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

12\u201315\u00b0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Thinner blades take a lower angle for fine slicing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Line<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n

Paring knife<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

15\u201317\u00b0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Small blades, short strokes; keep the angle steady.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Line<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n

Slicing knife<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

12\u201315\u00b0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Long, thin blades for clean slices; finish on a fine stone.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Line<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n

Pocket knife<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

20\u201325\u00b0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

A tougher edge for opening boxes and outdoor jobs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Line<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n

Cleaver<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

25\u201330\u00b0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

A strong, steep edge for heavy work.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Safety note (placeholder):<\/strong> add your own guidance for handling and sharpening knives here.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Angles are sample guidance; follow the knife maker’s own advice where it differs.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

Sharpening steps<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Six steps on a water stone<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The same routine works on every grit. Take your time; steady strokes matter more than speed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

01<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Soak or splash<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soak a soaking stone until the bubbles stop; splash-and-go stones only need water on top.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

02<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Set the angle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Use an angle guide clip or a coin under the spine until the angle feels natural.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

03<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Raise a burr<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Work one side until you feel a light burr along the whole opposite edge.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

04<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Switch sides<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Repeat on the other side, then move to the next finer grit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

05<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Strop the edge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pull the edge backwards over the strop, spine first, a few times per side.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

06<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Test and clean<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Test on paper or a tomato, rinse the stone and let everything dry.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Safety note (placeholder):<\/strong> your shop’s safety advice for sharpening goes here.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

Stone care<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep the stone flat and it keeps the edge true<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A dished stone rounds the edge. A minute of care after each session keeps the surface flat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n

Flatten often<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rub the stone on a flattening plate under water until the pencil grid you drew on it is gone.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n

Keep it wet<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Add water as you work so the slurry stays wet; never let the surface run dry.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n

Dry slowly<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let the stone air-dry at room temperature, away from heaters and direct sun.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n

Store it flat<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep it in its box or holder, coarse and fine stones apart.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
Shop flattening plates<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"A<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n

Knife steel chart<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which grits suit your steel?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
Read the guide<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Harder steel holds an edge longer but takes more time on the stones. Generic steel types only; check your knife maker’s details.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
Steel type<\/th>Hardness (sample)<\/th>Start on<\/th>Finish on<\/th>Notes<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Softer stainless<\/strong><\/td>54\u201356 HRC<\/td>1000<\/td>3000<\/td>Easy to sharpen, needs it more often<\/td><\/tr>
Harder stainless<\/strong><\/td>57\u201360 HRC<\/td>1000<\/td>4000\u20136000<\/td>The most common kitchen steel<\/td><\/tr>
Carbon steel<\/strong><\/td>58\u201362 HRC<\/td>1000<\/td>6000<\/td>Takes a keen edge; dry it straight after use<\/td><\/tr>
Powder steel<\/strong><\/td>60\u201364 HRC<\/td>400\u20131000<\/td>6000\u20138000<\/td>Slow on soft stones; use a harder stone<\/td><\/tr>
Clad \/ layered blade<\/strong><\/td>Core 60\u201363 HRC<\/td>1000<\/td>4000\u20138000<\/td>Keep an even angle to protect the cladding look<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
Sample chart. Hardness ranges are typical examples, not measurements of any product.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

Kit builder<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Build a sharpening kit in four steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pick one option per step. The starter kit covers most kitchens; add a coarse stone if your knives have chips.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medium stone<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Drawing:<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n

1000<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1500<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1000\/3000<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finishing stone<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Drawing:<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n

3000<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4000<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6000<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8000<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

3<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strop<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Drawing:<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n

None<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Single-sided<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Double-sided<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

4<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Extras<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Drawing:<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n

Stone holder<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Angle clips<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flattening plate<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

Your kit (sample)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starter kit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n