Regular use of a knife or sword affects the sharpness of the blade. If you want to keep your knife or sword sharp, you'll need to sharpen it from time to time.
To sharpen a knife or sword you'll need a whetstone and the right technique.
Steps for sharpening a knife or sword
Step 1:
Wet your whetstone by soaking it in water for approximately 10 to 20 minutes.
Step 2:
A whetstone usually has a coarser and a finer side. Start with the coarse side to sharpen your blade. Make sure the whetstone is on a sturdy surface and is held firmly in place so it won't slip.
Move the blade at a consistent angle across the coarse side. For European swords you should sharpen at a 20-degree angle, for a Japanese sword you should sharpen at a 15-degree angle.
You can use long or short strokes to sharpen the knife, depending on what feels easier for you.
Step 3:
Flip the whetstone over so the finer side is facing up. Make sure the whetstone is held firmly in place and won't slip.
Repeat step 2, but this time using the finer side of the whetstone.
Step 4:
Once your blade is sharp enough, rinse the blade and dry it with a towel.
Let the whetstone dry until it's completely dry before storing it.
