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Sharpening a knife, even a Bowie knife seems like a very straightforward thing. You choose a whetstone, and then you use it to sharpen the blade. However, while it might seem like a very simple thing, more people than you might suppose make some significant mistakes when attempting to freshen the edge of their blade. What are the most common mistakes? How do you avoid them?

Mistake #1 – Incorrect Sharpening Tools: The very first thing that you need to do is invest in a quality sharpening tool. You do not need those fancy (but low quality) dual sharpening systems. Invest in a whetstone, or in a ceramic stone – ceramic is harder than steel, so you will be able to get a new edge more easily with these. Regardless, find a sharpening system that actually works for Bowie knives, rather than one that is hyped by marketers.

Another common mistake when sharpening a knife blade is failing to control the edge you are establishing. What does this mean? When you sharpen a knife, you must maintain the same angle throughout the entire process. This is difficult to do, particularly for beginners. The result is a wavy edge that runs the length of the blade. An uneven edge can cause quite a few problems, including giving your poor cutting quality.

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Mistake #3 – Not Establishing a New Edge: If you sharpen Bowie knives on the wrong type of tool, you will not be able to establish a new edge. This is largely because the surface on which you are sharpening the blade is softer than the steel, or of the same hardness. In order to establish a new edge correctly, your sharpening tool should be harder than the steel blade you are holding.

A final mistake when sharpening a Bowie knife is leaving the edge rough. This is an easy mistake to make. After all, once you are finished with the blade, you’re done, right? Wrong – when you sharpen one side of the blade, the opposite side builds up burs. A layer of rough metal will run the entire length of the blade. The only way to get rid of this is to follow the proper finishing procedures. This will result in a smooth edge with lots of cutting power. If you have done your job correctly, then you will also have an edge that will last.

Blake is a business consultant for an online bowie knifes store featuring combat knives.

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