The Shape of Sharpening Stones

Knife sharpening is a deep and intricate craft. The fundamental goal is to make the blade sharp, but within the realm of “sharpness,” there are various nuances, considering factors like blade grip and blade flow. There are countless patterns to explore.

In this craft, creativity in sharpening techniques is crucial. However, above all, having a flat sharpening stone surface is often essential to achieve the desired sharpening results. Naturally, sharpening stones wear down as you use them, making it challenging to maintain a perfectly flat surface. Once the stone exceeds a certain threshold, the knife might not make complete contact with the stone, or unwanted parts of the blade might inadvertently touch the stone, causing the edge to deviate.

Even using a diamond sharpening stone, which doesn’t deform like other stones, requires precise and careful alignment due to its unforgiving nature. Given this, it might be prudent to engage in both sharpening and flattening using a stone that wears down to a certain extent, allowing some room for adjustments while maintaining a consistent sharpening experience. This approach keeps the balance between precision and adaptability while honing my skills in this ongoing sharpening journey.

hibishugyo

• 2011-08-07