Let’s face it—no matter how high-quality your hunting knife is, it’s not going to do you any favors if the blade isn’t sharp. A dull edge won’t just slow you down; it can turn skinning, boning, or even simple slicing into a frustrating chore or even worse you will get hurt in the process.
If you’re tired of feeling your knife drag through the meat instead of gliding, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’re going to talk about how to sharpen your hunting knife so it feels fresh off the whetstone, every single time.
Getting Ready to Sharpen a Hunting Knife
Before you start sharpening your hunting knife, it’s crucial to get it ready.
- Start by cleaning your hunting knife, preferably with a damp microfiber cloth. This is important to remove any dirt, debris, or residue.
- Examine the blade for any nicks, chips, or signs of damage. If you find imperfections, use a file to fix them before you start sharpening.
- Check the manufacturer’s guidelines or use a sharpening guide to find the right sharpening angle for your hunting knife.
How to Sharpen a Hunting Knife
Once you’ve prepared your hunting knife, It’s time to sharpen it.
Getting Your Sharpening Stone Ready
To Sharpen a hunting knife, it’s crucial to properly prepare your sharpening stone. The steps for preparation depend on the type of stone you’re using: For Water Stones, start by soaking it in water. This step is vital to make sharpening easier. For Oil Stones: you’ll need to apply the right type of oil, such as honing oil, mineral oil, or WD-40.
Sharpening the Blade
Sharpening your hunting knife starts with setting the right angle—around 20 degrees is ideal, but always check your knife’s guidelines just in case. Grab a quality stone, preferably between 600 and 1,000 grit for hunting knives. Position the tip of the knife against the stone and draw the blade backward at your chosen angle, keeping steady downward pressure. Use long, smooth strokes from the heel to the tip, maintaining a consistent motion that follows the blade’s natural curveOnce you’ve done about 10 strokes on one side, Feel for a burr by gently running your finger perpendicular to the edge—it should feel a bit rough.
Creating a consistent Burr
Once you’ve raised a burr on one side, flip the knife and repeat the process on the other side. This alternating technique ensures an even, sharp edge. After both sides have a small, consistent burr, switch back to your finer grit stone to refine the edge further. Work each side with equal strokes, feeling for that delicate wire-like burr along the entire edge. Patience and consistency are key here—you’re aiming for a balanced, razor-sharp blade that’s ready for any challenge.
Strop It
To finish up, use a leather strop or a ceramic rod to eliminate any remaining burr. Draw the blade backward along the strop with light, controlled motions. You’ll see scuff marks on the leather—that’s the burr being polished away. Keep stropping until the edge feels smooth and free of roughness. This final step ensures your hunting knife slices effortlessly, whether you’re in the field or prepping meat at home.
Checking the Sharpness
To check how sharp your blade is, grab a sheet of newspaper. Hold it at shoulder height and place the blade on the top edge at a shallow angle. A sharp blade will easily bite into and cut the paper. However, if your blade is dull or has a burr, it will skip or tear the paper. Make sure you cut the paper with the entire length of the blade.
Safety Precautions
Sure, you might already know these safety tips, but giving them a quick read won’t hurt—and could keep you from any unexpected slips!
- Wear Cut-Resistant Gloves: If available, wear gloves designed to resist cuts.
- Keep the Sharpening Stone Away: Position the sharpening stone away from your body. This reduces the risk of accidents and gives you better control over the sharpening process.
- Take Your Time: Avoid rushing through the sharpening process, as haste can lead to errors and accidents. Take your time to ensure safety.
- Lastly, this goes without saying, but still we should remind you that Never allow children to handle or sharpen a knife unsupervised!
Already thinking up some questions you might have? We addressed some of them down below!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I determine the correct angle for my specific hunting knife?
We already told you to check manufacturer’s guidelines, if available. However, alternatively, you can use a sharpening guide or an angle cube tool to measure the existing angle or experiment with different angles on a small section of the blade until you achieve the desired sharpness.
2. What is the correct way to hold a hunting knife while sharpening it?
The correct way to hold a hunting knife is how you like it best! but the way we teach is to maintain a firm grip on the handle with your dominant hand, ensuring your fingers are safely away from the blade’s edge. Use your other hand to guide the blade along the sharpening surface, maintaining a consistent angle.
3. How often should I sharpen my hunting knife?
It’s generally recommended to hone the blade with a honing rod before or after each use to maintain its edge. Sharpening with a whetstone or sharpener is usually needed when you start to notice decreased cutting performance or a dull blade.
4. Which type of hunting knife is considered the best for all-around use?
The best hunting knife for all-around use is typically a fixed-blade knife with a drop-point or clip-point blade design. These designs offer versatility for various hunting tasks, such as field dressing, skinning, and general utility.
