How do you sharpen knives?

[TimberWolf]

I usually end up with one or two of those gadgets that you pull a knife through that are carp, and fancy trying a wet stone. Anyone use a knife sharpening stone? Saw one in Poundland a few Moons ago and am kicking myself for not buying it as they don't have them now.

[BrilloPad]

Who do you want to knife? Put the knife down and step away from the knife...

[TimberWolf]

Who do you want to knife? Put the knife down and step away from the knife...

I just fancy a really sharp knife for chopping vegetables and stuff. Mine are usually pretty blunt and chipped from those tulip knife sharpener things.

[chef]

get yourself a knife steel or go cheap and get a wet stone and sharpen away my friend

here's an idiots giude from Global knives on how to go about it

[TimberWolf]

Well I bought a wet stone today in a normal shop, so paid top prices: £3.95. Impression is pretty good. My knives are sharper than I've known them in a long while, but they didn't quite pass the Ray Mears test. That's where he sharpened his axe and sliced a sheet of A4 paper with it while just holding the sheet loosely. But my knives probably only cost £1 or so and with a slight initial sawing action slice through the sheet nicely.

[Paddy]

Well I bought a wet stone today in a normal shop, so paid top prices: £3.95. Impression is pretty good. My knives are sharper than I've known them in a long while, but they didn't quite pass the Ray Mears test. That's where he sharpened his axe and sliced a sheet of A4 paper with it while just holding the sheet loosely. But my knives probably only cost £1 or so and with a slight initial sawing action slice through the sheet nicely.

Well you could have saved £3.95; all you need is a piece of broken pottery, china or porcelain; swipe the knife (dry) across the rough edge two or three times.

[doodab]

I use a 250/1000 synthetic waterstone and a cheap (only £70) 1000/8000 natural japanese waterstone. 250 for the bevel, 1000 to sharpen it and 8000 to put a mirror finish on. I sold my chefs choice electronic diamond sharpening machine on ebay as it couldn't come close.

Steels are really for maintaining an edge, not putting one on, although the diamond ones are about 800-1000 grit and will sharpen quite well. I don't use mine anymore though, it just roughs up the mirror polish.

[ementalo]

I sharpen my meat cleaver with the bottom of an old cup.

[TimberWolf]

I sharpen my meat cleaver with the bottom of an old cup.

Can anyone interpret that euphemism?