Sharpening using an Eden Quality sharpening stone

Eden Quality Double-Sided Sharpening Stones

Sharpening stones are composed of sharp, angular, abrasive grains made from a material that is harder than steel. The material used in manufacturing Eden Quality double-sided sharpening stones is aluminium oxide. During the sharpening process, the abrasive grains scrape some of the material from the steel. Only the grains on the outside of the stone actually do the sharpening. Unfortunately, even though these grains are harder than steel, they still become rounded and somewhat blunt because the sharp edges are rubbed off during the sharpening process. In addition to this, the space between the stones fills up with steel. Both of these phenomena result in a stone that soon sharpens less effectively. Eden Quality sharpening stones are composed of hard sharpening grains of a certain size that are processed into a soft material. This soft material ensures that the stone wears down at a slower pace. The rounded, blunt sharpening grains break off and the new, sharp abrasive grains can then do their job.

Eden Quality sharpening stones are always used with water. They need to be kept so wet that there is always a layer of water on them during the sharpening process. This layer of water ensures that the stone does not become clogged with steel particles and that it continues to sharpen.

Grain size (also known as grit size)

The grain size of an Eden Quality sharpening stone determines how quickly a stone sharpens and also how fine the finish is. Just like sandpaper, a small number indicates a coarse grain and a high number indicates a fine grain.

240: For re-shaping dull knives

800: 1st stage in the maintenance of knives

2000: 2nd stage for fine finish

5000: For ultra-fine finish.

Generally speaking, 2 to 3 grains are sufficient.

Sharpening using an Eden Quality sharpening stone

Always start by assessing the condition of your knife. If your knife is not really dull (and you can prevent your knives from becoming dull by maintaining your knives on a regular basis), then it will not be necessary to use a 200 grain stone to sharpen it.

If your knife is dull, then you should start with a coarse grain stone. (240)

Place the stones you are planning to use in a container of water and allow them to stand for a few minutes until they have become saturated. During the sharpening process, ensure that there is always a layer of water over the stone you are using.

The next step is to make sure that the stone cannot move during the sharpening process. Make sure that you place the stone on a stable, flat surface. To prevent the stone from moving, you could place a plank of wood behind the stone, for example. Sometimes the rubber feet are enough to prevent the stone from moving.

The next important step is to find and maintain the correct angle for sharpening the knife. This is also the most difficult part of the process. There are various accessories available to help with this but they are not absolutely necessary. A fairly experienced knife sharpening expert will probably even find these accessories more of a hindrance than a help.

The secret to success here is to hold the knife properly. If you are right-handed, hold your knife with your right hand and place both your right thumb and your right index finger on the blade. Using both your thumb and index finger, exert some pressure on the blade.

This action blocks your muscles and keeps the knife steady. The next step is to position the knife at an angle of 10 to 15 degrees on the (wet) stone and place the fingers of your left hand on the blade. You use these fingers to press the knife against the stone and also to help you maintain a consistent angle. Sharpening the edge actually occurs when you push the blade along the stone without using any accessories, exerting pressure as you move forward, making a cutting motion. As if you want to cut something off the stone. As you draw the knife back, you automatically tilt it over slightly. This is no problem whatsoever. In fact, it drastically reduces burrs from forming and is actually beneficial to the final result. Make sure that you sharpen the knife along the whole length of the blade, from tip to hilt, changing sides often so that you remove the same amount of metal from each side. Once you are completely satisfied that the entire length of the blade is sharp enough, you can then change to a finer grain stone. Switching to a finer grain stone too soon is the commonest mistake made in knife sharpening.

Tip:

Never exert too much pressure when sharpening. The grain size of the stone determines how much material is removed, not the amount of pressure exerted. Too much pressure can ruin the knife and produce a thin, weak edge.

Useful tests to determine whether you are on the right track

The following tests are useful to see whether you are on the right track. However, these tests are only an indication and the results can differ slightly from knife to knife and from sharpening stone to sharpening stone.

Grain size 240: A burr often forms once the perfect V-shape has been achieved. This burr is clearly apparent and is visible in the light. Make sure that you have a burr along the entire length of the blade. Some types of steel do not form many burrs. If this is the case, you must make sure that no light can be reflected in the edge.

Grain size 800: After sharpening with a 800 grain, a knife should be able to cut extremely well. A knife should be able to slice a tomato effortlessly without mashing it and it should also be able to cut a sheet of paper cleanly and smoothly, without tears or jagged edges.

Grain size 2000: A 2000-grain stone should almost be able to shave hair. However, be very careful and never cut with the movement in the length direction of the knife! If your knife tugs at the hairs on your arm, then you are clearly on your way! However, if your knife glides over the hairs, then you have not yet reached the maximum level of sharpness. It may be necessary to go back to using a coarser sharpening stone to shape the edge properly.

Grain size 5000: These fine grain stones are used to hone the edge until it reflects light and you should be able to shave effortlessly. If you are unable to do so, then the shape is not right. You have probably either switched over to a finer grain stone too soon or you have applied too much pressure.

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