The sharpening of damask knives
requires a little more attention and patience than sharpening ordinary knives, but with the right technique and equipment it is quite possible to keep a Damascus knife sharp.
Here are the steps you should follow to sharpen your Damascus knife:
Step 1: Choose the right sharpening tool
There are several types of sharpening tools that can be used for sharpening knives. For damask knives, we recommend a fine whetstone.
Step 2: Wet the whetstone with water.
Before you start sharpening the Damascus knife , wet the whetstone with water. This will ensure that the knife is not damaged during the sharpening process and that the sharpening tool can slide better.
Step 3: Hold the knife at a suitable angle (15 degrees)
Hold the Damascus knife at the correct angle to ensure that it is sharpened evenly. The angle depends on the blade geometry of the knife. An angle of 15 degrees is usually suitable for most damask knives.
Step 4: Sharpen the knife with the whetstone
Begin sharpening the Damascus knife by gently placing it on the whetstone. Move the knife in a grinding motion by pressing it lightly against the whetstone while maintaining the angle. Start with the coarse grit of the whetstone and slowly work your way to a finer grit to sharpen the knife.
Step 5: Sharpen both sides of the knife
During the sharpening process, you should sharpen both sides of the Damascus knife to ensure that it is sharpened evenly. Make sure that you sharpen each side of the knife evenly and with the same number of sharpening strokes to achieve an even result.
Step 6: Polish the knife
After you have sharpened the knife, you can polish it to achieve an even sharper and smoother edge. You can use a leather belt or a polishing stone for this purpose.