How to sharpen a dull knife

It might look sexy to thrash a knife about on a a steel to sharpen it, but the truth is you don’t have to work with any speed to sharpen a knife effectively. Not to mention that without a hell of a lot of practice it is incredibly unsafe.

There are a few tips to getting a good edge on a knife when you sharpen it and they are all very simple:

1. Always put a damp cloth under your stone, this prevents the stone from slipping while you work.
2. Start on the coarsest side of the stone.
3. Lubricate the stone with oil not water.
4. Run you knife along the stone at a 45 degree angle.
5. Keep the knife stable by placing your other hand on the blade – keeping your fingers well away from the edge.
6. Use long, slow movements.
7. Continue the process for a couple of minutes each side, and
8. Repeat the action on the smoother side of the stone.